Science Lead for Human Research

Science Lead for Human Research

**Job Requisition ID**:19745

**Date Posted**:18 July 2025

**Closing Date**:17 August 2025 23:59 CET/CEST

**Publication**:Internal & External

**Type of Contract**:Fixed-Term

**Directorate**:Human and Robotic Exploration

**Workplace**:Porz-Wahn, DE

**Grade Band**:A2 - A4
- This is a non-renewable post for a **limited duration**of 4 years.

**Location**
EAC, Porz-Wahn, Germany

**Description**-
The Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes (D/HRE) is part of ESA’s matrix structure. It aims to explore space destinations with humans and robots for scientific research, economic development, international cooperation and public inspiration.The Science Lead for Human Research will oversee and coordinate all human research-related scientific activities within HRE, reporting directly to the Lead of the Human Exploration Enabling Science Team (HRE-HS). The position is focused on ensuring a streamlined portfolio of human research across the HRE platforms and destinations. In this role, you will work mainly within the HRE-HS team, but will also work closely with the Space Medicine and Medical Operations Team (HRE-HM) to ensure alignment between applied exploration-focused studies and mission-relevant human exploration-related risk models and knowledge gaps. The purpose of the close exchange between the Science Lead for Human Research and HRE-HM is to generate actionable knowledge that is required for the successful implementation of a mission. You will also support input into the overall science strategy for human research activities.**Duties**

**Portfolio Management and Coordination**
- Lead and coordinate research activities on ground-based analogues, in relation to bedrest, dry immersion, Concordia and parabolic flights, for example, as well as for flight opportunities, for example to the International Space Station or Commercial LEO Destinations;
- Act as portfolio manager for the human research activities portfolio, following human research project status and flagging risks and issues to management as relevant.

**Community Engagement**
- Represent ESA to the external scientific community with an interest in human research in space;
- Participate in relevant scientific associations and conferences to engage with the scientific community and to communicate the ESA HRE science programme to the community;
- Work with the European and international science community to advance the ESA HRE programme;
- Act as a liaison with international space agencies, academic institutions and industry partners to foster collaboration and advance shared research goals;
- Provide human research science expert support to other groups and teams within HRE and the wider ESA community.

**Science Development, Planning, Implementation and Strategy**
- Stay up to date on the latest scientific advancements in space medicine and physiology;
- Provide in-depth scientific expertise and support to the development of ESA elements of science strategy, science policy and/or science planning, representing human research in space as a whole;
- Lead the definition of experimental and scientific requirements for human research activities implemented by ESA and coordinate science teams with international partners as required;
- Safeguard scientific requirements associated with ESA payloads and research throughout the life cycle of the space activity or mission;
- Monitor associated technology developments and track scientific performance through the life cycle of space missions;
- Write, update and manage science selection processes such as open, scoped or directed Announcements of Opportunity and research calls for space research led by ESA or ESA’s participation in international calls, including communicating the process and results to the European science community;
- Identify peer reviewers and coordinate the review process for science selection;
- Act as ESA project scientist for specific flight projects, such as flights to the International Space Station and Commercial LEO Destinations, and research activities in ground-based facilities, selecting and working with external scientific teams;
- Act as technical officer for specific human research activities and ensure delivery on schedule and within budget;
- Identify and support collaborative activities within ESA, in Europe and internationally to promote ESA’s human research in space interests;
- Actively pursue personal scientific research, participating in research activities without perceived or actual conflict of interest.

**Support to ESA**
- Prepare reports relating to ESA science activities for internal and external presentation, including to ESA’s advisory structure and working groups;
- Support ESA outreach, communication and education activities relating to human and robotic exploration science;
- Promote ESA’s activities and scientific results to a variety of audiences, including the general public;
- Supervise European and national