Internal research fellow (postdoc) in ai for autonomous cognitive cloud computing in space

Internal Research Fellow (Post Doc) in AI for Autonomous Cognitive Cloud Computing in Space Job Requisition ID: 20564Date Posted: 13 May 2026Directorate: Earth Observation ProgrammesReporting to the Head of the Explore Office in the ESA Φ‑lab, you will work in close cooperation with other staff in the Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes. You will also cooperate with scientists and engineers from EOP‑FA at ESTEC, and potentially with staff in other divisions of ESA.As an internal research fellow within the Φ‑lab, you will invest your time mainly in agreed research topics, while supporting the Φ‑lab’s industrial and internal activities, mentoring members of our research network and engaging in outreach activities related to your research topic.Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship Main Objectives of the Research Fellow Activity: Cognitive Cloud Computing in Space (3 CS) refers to the integration of AI, novel computing paradigms such as cloud computing and edge computing, computing hardware, and other technologies on board space systems. By increasing satellite systems’ intelligence and enabling cooperation among different space assets, 3 CS has the potential to enable novel mission paradigms, for example space‑based data centres and virtual constellations, and significantly enhance space’s infrastructure autonomy, responsiveness and efficiency. Such capabilities can directly benefit multiple EO applications such as disaster monitoring, emergency response, maritime and land surveillance.The primary objective is to design and implement onboard AI systems for the autonomous management and coordination of heterogeneous EO constellations. These systems will operate under uncertainty to deliver critical services such as climate monitoring, disaster response, resilience tasks and resource management. Leveraging real‑time environmental signals, AI agents and predictive models, the onboard AI will define action plans, optimise sensor tasking and interact intelligently with users, shifting from command‑driven to autonomous EO operations. The fellowship will also explore applications in fragile or complex environments, where the AI system processes EO and contextual data to anticipate climate‑related risks and suggest context‑aware, goal‑driven responses, supporting humanitarian efforts and institutional resilience.Main Research TopicsAutonomous EO decision‑making: develop onboard AI systems, including AI agents, visual language models and foundation models, and define mission architectures, protocols and interfaces for orchestrating heterogeneous satellite constellations capable of making autonomous decisions under uncertainty.Multi‑satellite coordination and rapid response: enable tip‑and‑cue and other autonomous observation strategies, onboard data fusion and embedding aggregation, allowing heterogeneous satellite constellations to collaborate and adapt in real time to dynamic events, minimising reliance on ground control.Predictive models: integrate predictive Earth system models to improve responsiveness for 3 CS use cases.Simulation and strategic integration: build testbeds for autonomous EO validation and contribute to ESA’s strategy for climate‑resilient, AI‑enhanced missions.Application Instructions As part of your application, please provide a research proposal of no more than five pages, responding to the following questions:Describe your main research questions and how you would like to address them.What technological innovations in onboard AI will overcome current EO system limitations and enhance autonomous decision‑making, operational efficiency and responsiveness?How can AI‑driven EO systems adapt in real time to uncertain, fragmented or high‑risk environments, including those with limited ground‑truth data?What role will predictive models and real‑time environmental signals play in improving the accuracy and value of EO‑based actions?What are the main technical, ethical and operational challenges in developing autonomous EO frameworks, and how can safeguards be embedded to address both humanitarian and security needs?How will this research shape the long‑term sustainability, adaptability and strategic value of EO in future space missions and global climate response?Duties and Responsibilities In particular, you will:undertake advanced research activities exploring and expanding the use of disruptive and transformative innovation such as AI, machine learning, quantum computing and edge computing to develop new frameworks and solutions. Your research may cover a wide range of innovative topics and include:exploration of innovative methodologies and technologies;the development of novel methods and new technology implementations of high‑level products, for example machine learning models;contributions to the development and curation of open data sets and tools enabling the community to develop its own AI for applications and research;support the definition and implementation of rapid prototyping activities, research sprints and open challenges of innovative EO solutions, addressing upcoming laboratory activities and wider strategy;engage with the innovation ecosystem to promote the uptake of new techniques and capture the latest developments in EO and disruptive/transformative innovation;publish the research project outcomes in high‑impact journals;drive collaboration within the Φ‑lab community and ESA internal teams to promote the uptake of these new techniques and solutions;contribute to the Φ‑lab strategy, activities and outreach on disruptive technologies for EO;maintain a continuous dialogue with the scientific community, including major international programmes and initiatives in the field;support the Φ‑lab’s daily activities and research network of ESA graduate trainees, national trainees, interns and visiting professors, experts and researchers, as applicable;design and develop onboard AI systems that autonomously optimise EO system tasking and data collection, using decision intelligence to make real‑time decisions based on environmental signals and predictive models;contribute to the rapid prototyping and testing of AI‑driven EO systems, with a focus on the autonomous decision‑making capabilities that enable satellites to adapt to dynamic environmental changes and urgent events;collaborate closely with ESA’s Φ‑lab and internal teams to integrate onboard AI and decision intelligence.Key Knowledge and Skills Knowledge relevant to the field of research:Research/publication recordAbility to conduct research autonomouslyBreadth of exposure from past and/or current research/activitiesAbility to gather and share relevant informationGeneral interest in space and space researchResult OrientationOperational EfficiencyFostering CooperationRelationship ManagementContinuous ImprovementForward ThinkingEligibility and Qualifications You should have recently completed, or be close to completion of, a Ph D in a related technical or scientific discipline. Preference will be given to applications submitted by candidates within five years of receiving their Ph D. In particular for this position, the following is required:Ph D in data science, AI, computer science, machine learning, aerospace engineering, Earth system science or climate, with a thesis subject relevant to the above description of tasks.Additional Requirements In addition to your CV and motivation letter, please prepare a research proposal of no more than five pages. This proposal should be uploaded to the “additional documents” field of the “application information” section.You should also have:Sound knowledge of themes of interest, such as EO, space missions, satellite systems, AI, machine learning, ICT revolution technologies and edge computing;The ability to think outside the box and explore new avenues, with natural curiosity and passion for new subjects and research areas;Experience with one or more general‑purpose programming languages, for example Python, and general‑purpose deep learning frameworks, such as Tensorflow or Py Torch;Interest in and ability to share knowledge with other ESA organisational units.Good interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work in a multi‑cultural environment, both independently and as part of a team. Your motivation, overall professional perspective and career goals will also be explored during the later stages of the selection process.Diversity, Equity and InclusivenessESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.We welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via email at [email protected] Information and DisclaimerDuring the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security rmation published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.Nationality and LanguagesApplications can only be considered from nationals of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia, as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).According to the ESA Convention, staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the Member States.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.