Exploration Science and Research Support Scientist [26141]

Sopra Steria; Noordwijk; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

HE Space in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, seeks a PhD-level science program lead to coordinate science activities for space missions. You will establish a science team, define objectives, and collaborate with supplier teams to translate science requirements into a robust system baseline.

You will drive the science definition, manage reviews, and prepare operations and data pipelines to ensure timely access to scientifically valuable data.

Qualifications

• Science PhD in a relevant discipline from a recognized Institution.
• Strong documented experience in coordinating scientific activities and teams and effective communication.
• Demonstrated expertise in Mars science and space resources related projects.

Responsibilities

• Establishing and supporting a user community, engaging them in science definition activities and preparing the establishment of a formal Science Team.
• Generating science objectives and requirements.
• Supporting the supplier team in establishing a technical baseline and system requirements addressing science and research needs.
• Iterating requirements during studies and in consultation with users.
• Supporting benefit management as the benefit owner for science and research benefits.
• Assessing the technical baseline, system requirements and performance against science requirements in reviews.
• Preparing the Science Management Plan.
• Leading or supporting research activities that develop missions and system concepts.
• Coordinating Announcements of Opportunity, Peer Reviews and Selection processes for Experiments and Science Teams.
• Supporting science operations and data pipelines for utilization and sharing with the community.

Skills

Science PhD

Coordination experience

English fluency

Mars science expertise

Space resources expertise

Education

PhD in a relevant discipline

Job description

Company Description

HE Space is a successful international space company, specialised in providing managed services and human resources to the international space sector for over 40 years.

We hire space experts all over Europe across the whole spectrum of space-related activities, from engineering to science, software development, operations, marketing, finance and administration. Our employees contribute towards a wide range of groundbreaking space programmes including Galileo and Copernicus, ExoMars, Iris2, ESA BASS, ESA GSPT, LISA Pathfinder, Euclid, the Ariane and Vega launchers as well as the International Space Station.

HE Space has joined forces with CS Group and Sopra Steria to lead the engineering and digital space market in Europe and to provide highly skilled consulting. We are passionate about people and invest in you to support the development of the European space industry.

Job Description

As part of the team you will have the following responsibilities:

• Establishing and supporting a user community, engaging them in science definition activities and preparing the establishment of a formal Science Team;
• Generating science and research objectives and requirements;
• Supporting the supplier team led by the Project Manager / Technical Officer in establishing a technical baseline and system requirements that address the science and research requirements;
• Iterating those requirements during studies and in consultation with users in response to the technical work performed;
• Supporting benefit management as the benefit owner for all science and research benefits;
• Assessing the technical baseline, system requirements and performance against the science requirements in reviews;
• Preparing the Science Management Plan;
• Leading or supporting research activities which support the development of missions and system concepts and requirements;
• Preparing and coordinating Announcements of Opportunity, Peer Reviews and Selection processes for Experiments, Science Teams, and Projects;
• Supporting in the management of science teams and preparations for science operations;
• Preparing science operations and science data pipelines for scientific utilization;
• Supporting science operations activities;
• Ensuring that scientific data is made available to the community and supporting its utilization;
• Initiating and supporting research activities which aid design and implementation;
• Post operations support to users of the data, which is made available through the ESA archive.

Qualifications

You will have the following qualifications and relevant experience:

• Science PhD in a relevant discipline from a recognized Institution;
• Strong documented experience in coordinating scientific activities and teams and effective communication;
• Demonstrated expertise in the individual science areas and projects related to:
  • Science of Mars (e.g. Mars atmosphere, geology and geophysics);
  • Science of space resources (e.g. experimental chemical processes for production of materials or oxygen from extraterrestrial materials);
• Fluency in English is mandatory; knowledge of another European language is an advantage.

Additional Information

This job is located in Noordwijk, the Netherlands.

Inclusive and committed employer, our company works every day to combat all forms of discrimination and promote a respectful working environment. That's why, committed to gender diversity and overall inclusivity, we encourage all applications and profiles.

Last apply date: 01/09/2026!