Junior Professional in Optical and Quantum Detector Technologies
Job Requisition ID: 19540
Date Posted: 9 September 2025
Closing Date: 23 September 2025 23:59 CET/CEST
Publication: Internal & External
Type of Contract: Junior Professional
Directorate: Technology, Engineering and Quality
Workplace:
Noordwijk, NL
Grade Band: A1 - A1
This post is part of ESA’s Junior Professional Programme. We are looking for enthusiastic candidates with up to 2–3 years of relevant professional experience after their Master's degree to join ESA for a four-year assignment. During this time, you will be actively working and learning on the job and will benefit from valuable mobility and developmental opportunities that will prepare you for a successful career at ESA. Subject to performance, it is therefore the intention to offer you an indefinite contract which will start at the end of the four years.
The selection process for the 2025 cohort of Junior Professionals will take place during Autumn 2025, with a projected start before the end of 2025.
Recruitment will take place at the A1 grade. At the end of the fourth year and if you are offered an indefinite contract at the end of your Junior Professional assignment, you will be upgraded to the A2 grade.
Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands Or Other Site, As Required.
Developmental assignments form an integral part of the JP Programme and may entail a temporary relocation to another ESA establishment or other location.
Description
This Junior Professional position will be in the Optoelectronics Section of the Optics, Robotics and Life Sciences Division, Mechanical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.
The Optoelectronics Section provides functional support to ESA projects and carries out technological research and development (R&D) in the field of optoelectronic device technologies and applications.
In particular, the Optoelectronics Section deals with the specification, development and characterisation of photonic component subsystems and active optical instruments, such as detectors and lasers operating in the UV to FIR wavelength ranges, fibre-optic sensors, lidars, optical communication systems and quantum technologies.
The Section is staffed with around 20 engineers supporting all ESA projects and offers a unique opportunity to contribute on the challenges related to the optoelectronic technologies needed for ESA missions, spacecraft, instruments and equipment.
Duties
As a Junior Professional, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the following areas and activities by studying the related optoelectronic technologies, becoming involved in the team’s ongoing activities and acquiring hands-on experience from performing experiments:
- Optical detectors operating in the X-ray to FIR range, especially using CCD, CMOS, MCT or InGaAs-based technologies
- Optical focal plane arrays and related front-end electronics
- Optical detectors exploiting quantum technologies (SNSPDs, TESs, etc.)
- Using optical detectors as part of space-based instruments for Earth observation and astronomy, as well as for quantum instruments (cold atom interferometers, atomic clocks, quantum communication and quantum sensors)
- Supporting development activities for the topics listed above and other related optoelectronic technologies
Development programme
In addition to your daily work, you will take part in an extensive learning and development programme. From day one, you will learn on the job and benefit from tailored development opportunities, including participation in technical and key skills training courses.
Furthermore, there is a mobility component to the Junior Professional Programme that can be either an internal rotation to another team within ESA, an external secondment outside of ESA or a combination of both. Internal rotations aim to boost your professional experience and knowledge of the European Space Agency, whereas external secondments aim to boost your professional experience and knowledge of the European space sector.
This mobility opportunity may either be within ESA, allowing you to support other areas focusing on optical and quantum technologies, or outside ESA at an industrial partner in the same field.
This programme represents a significant investment by ESA in your personal and professional development and is designed to provide you with the required knowledge and skills for a career at ESA. You can expect to be given many opportunities to develop your professional experience and competencies, to learn from ESA experts and to contribute to ESA activities.
Technical competencies
A general background and specific experience in the technical domains covered by the position, i.e. detectors, imaging and quantum systems, ideally with visible, infrared and X-ray detectors including one or more of the following detector types: CCD, CMOS, MCT, InGaAs, SNSPD, TES;
Knowledge of using detectors for Earth observation or astronomy applications, or as part of quantum instruments;
Experience with laboratory or field testing of relevant technical equipment and hands-on hardware experience;
Experience with the development of electro-optical technologies for space.
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook
Education
A master's degree in physics or a relevant engineering discipline is required.
Additional Requirements
You should have between two and three years of professional experience, preferably in a relevant domain, after completion of your Master's degree.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness
ESA 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.
At the Agency we value diversity, and 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 contact.human.resources@esa.int.
Important Information and Disclaimer
Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.
During 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 procedures.
Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.
The information 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 Languages
Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one 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, the United Kingdom and Canada, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.
According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States*. When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates and secondly to external candidates from under-represented 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.
- Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.
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