Position
We are looking for a Science & Utilisation Planner to join in our customer premises at the European Space Agency (ESA) / ESTEC.
The Requirements Planning Service Team (RPT) provides the interface between ESA Science and Operations for the ESA research complement aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The Team also provides analytical services and products to ESA planners and operators, monitors and tracks ESA science, technology and education objectives, and advocates/defends these objectives within the multilateral ISS research community.
The position is in the Services Department (composed of 30 persons) within Space Applications Services’ structure.
The candidate will mainly report to the Science Team Lead, and the ESA Payload Integration Team Lead, as necessary.
Location: Noordwijk, The Netherlands (ESA – ESTEC)
Start date: As of September 2026.
Tasks and Responsibilities
Provide information and analytical support to User Support Operations Centers, Increment Management & ESA's ISS Flight Directors
Monitor real-time ISS operations, upcoming activities, and advocate for ESA ISS utilisation objectives
Track accomplishments of ESA research and payload utilisation objectives, and conduct post-increment crew-time utilisation reconciliation
Review and provide comments and inputs to various increment or experiment documentation, including but not limited to:
Activity Requirements Documents, Mission Operations and Integration Concept, CEFs
Input from third-party in NASA MIDAS Prime tool in coordination with ESA Logistics team
Documentation submitted as part of the Certificate of Flight Readiness (CoFR) process
Review and maintain increment Stage Priorities documentation
Prepare, contribute to, and attend regular meetings/teleconferences, including with multilateral partners (Joint/Mission Management Team, Increment Coordination Meeting, Payloads Integration meetings, Operations Teams tag-ups)
Contribute to and/or be responsible for regular deliverables issued by the service, or contribute to external deliverables including but not limited to Increment Graphical Overview, Weekly Science Summary, Accomplishment reports, and Lessons learned.
Support the RPT service management towards the ESA customer, ensuring high-quality performance and reports, as necessary.
Skills and Experience
A University Degree or equivalent qualification in a scientific (e.g. biology, medicine, physics, chemistry) or engineering field
At least 4 years of professional experience in research, research coordination or operations
Experience with Columbus and/or ISS operations and/or processes
Experience and/or familiarity with microgravity platforms, research and operations
Ability to:
Synthesise, summarise and draw conclusions
Work Independently and in a distributed international teams
Adhere to strict standards of confidentiality
Strength to cope with schedules and deadlines
Excellent written and spoken English (Dutch or French as a native language is an asset).
Our Offer
Working within an exceptional sector with Staff located in Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands
A professional and modern working environment with motivated Administrative Staff, Engineers, Astronaut Training Instructors and Scientists coming from all different horizons and countries with a common passion for space and their own expertise
A full-time position with an indefinite contract of employment
A competitive remuneration package and good working conditions
Working from home in part can be a possibility
An individualised training and development programmes.