Young Graduate Trainee for Land Surface Dynamics Study

The Earth & Mission Science Division of the Science Applications & Climate Department, Earth Observations Programmes Directorate, is based at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC). The Division provides the creative vision for innovation and new discoveries in Earth System Science, using Earth observation in close cooperation with the scientific community.

The Division team:

• bridges science and technology by translating ideas and concepts into technical reality and scientific success. It does this by defining, consolidating and managing scientific mission requirements throughout all phases of a mission, and by measuring the maturity of the resulting mission concept;
• manages scientific research-based studies, providing the scientific foundation for mission concepts and approval, supports the successful development of space and ground segment, in-orbit commissioning and in-orbit scientific achievements;
• undertakes airborne, marine and terrestrial campaigns contributing to the development of new technologies, mission feasibility assessments, calibration/validation and application development.

 
The Division is responsible for supporting preparatory research & development and implementation of future concepts for EO satellite missions as part of ESA's Living Planet Programme (Earth Explorers Aeolus, BIOMASS, CryoSat, EarthCARE, FLEX, FORUM, GOCE, SMOS, Swarm; Earth Watch/Copernicus Sentinels; operational meteorological satellite missions) with the objective of achieving specific scientific goals in environmental and climate research and Earth System Science.

Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int

For land surface applications, the fast-growing number of Earth-observing satellites and consequently available remote-sensing data sets requires us to assess how to combine such data streams efficiently. Similarly to what has been done in numerical weather prediction and modelling, the use of data assimilation techniques is a promising method for studying land surface dynamics and variability. The recent revolution in land surface process modelling allows us to assimilate data sets from spaceborne assets into currently available Land Surface Process Models (LSPMs).

The Agency recently undertook activity to develop a prototype retrieval chain exploiting the synergy between optical and radar time series data (from Copernicus Sentinel-1 and -2) focused on agriculture. To progress the work from this activity, the Agency is currently developing a multi-year national-size data set including Sentinel-1 radar signatures together with parcel information (e.g., parcel dimension, land use, crop information).

The study will start by exploring the information content of this data set, trying to uncover specific crop-specific correlations comparing the parcel information on a national scale, which may need to involve machine-learning techniques. Such information is expected to be of great help to constrain the microwave forward model that will need to be adapted within the LSPM. Following such adaptation, the study will continue with the inclusion of Sentinel-2 temporal signatures within the data set.

The remainder of the study will focus on assimilating data from this data set into an LSPM environment. 

You should have just completed, or be in the final year of a university course at Master's level (or equivalent) in a technical or scientific discipline.

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.　

You should demonstrate good interpersonal skills and the capacity to work both independently and as part of a team. 　

During the interview your motivation and overall professional perspective/career goals will also be explored.