Overview
The European Space Agency is recruiting an Internal Research Fellow (PostDoc) for the Directorate of Science, with placement at ESAC in Spain, ESTEC in the Netherlands or STScI in Baltimore, United States. The fellowship supports independent research connected to ESA space-science missions.
Complete research opportunity details
Research Fellows conduct independent research and may spend up to 20% of their time supporting ESA science-related activities. Proposals may connect with ESA missions in heliophysics, planetary science, astrophysics, fundamental physics and related space-science areas. Fellows are initially appointed for two years with the possibility of extension for a third year. Candidates should choose their preferred ESA location and submit a research proposal suitable for review by a broad space-science committee.
Eligibility requirements
Applicants must have completed and obtained a PhD before beginning the fellowship; ESA prefers candidates who received their PhD within the past five years. Applications are considered from nationals of ESA Member States, listed Associate Member States, European Cooperating States and Canada as a Cooperating State, according to the nationality list in the vacancy. A good knowledge of English or French is required, and applicants should demonstrate relevant research knowledge, publication record and ability to conduct research autonomously.
Tips for this postdoctoral opportunity
Practical Job and Scholarship guidance. These tips do not replace official rules or create new eligibility requirements.
- Match your research background to the project, laboratory, supervisor and required methods rather than applying only from the title.
- Prepare a focused academic CV, transcripts, publications and research statement or proposal when requested by the official call.
- Confirm funding duration, stipend/salary, tuition coverage, start date and eligibility for international applicants.
- Contact a supervisor before applying only when the official instructions recommend or require it.
Verification notes
Verified against ESA Careers requisition 20771 and ESA’s 2027 Space Science Research Fellowship announcement. The vacancy states 21 September 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST; September is CEST, so the UTC timestamp is normalized to 21:59Z.
Job and Scholarship is the discovery and verification layer. Confirm eligibility, dates, salary/funding and application instructions on the original source before submitting anything.
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