Young Graduate Opportunity in the Directorate of Internal Services

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, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.

This post is classified F1 on the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale.

Location

ESA Headquarters, Paris, France 

Our team and mission

The position is located within the Programme Portfolio Section within the Application Services Division, which is a part of the Information Technology Department.

Team: The Application Services Division is composed of a diverse team of professionals with expertise in various IT disciplines. This may include software engineers, system administrators, network specialists, cybersecurity experts, database administrators, and project managers. The team works collaboratively to ensure the effective functioning, development and evolution of the IT applications supporting ESA's space missions and overall operations.

Mission: The mission of the Application Services Division at ESA is to provide robust and secure information technology services to support the Agency's space exploration and scientific endeavours. This involves the development and maintenance of software systems, the management of IT infrastructure, the implementation of cybersecurity measures, and the support of communication and collaboration tools critical for ESA's mission success.

Activities:

• Software Development: designing and developing software applications tailored to the specific needs of space missions, satellite operations, scientific research, and administrative functions.
• System Administration: managing and maintaining the IT infrastructure, including servers, networks, and databases, to ensure reliability and performance.
• Cybersecurity: implementing and monitoring cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive data, communications, and critical systems from potential threats.
• Project Management: overseeing IT projects from conception to implementation, ensuring they align with ESA's overall mission and strategic goals.
• Support and Maintenance: provide technical support for end-users and ensure the continuous functionality of IT systems. This includes troubleshooting, updates, and system enhancements.
• Collaboration Tools: implementing and maintaining collaboration tools that facilitate communication and coordination among ESA teams, both internally and externally.
• Data Management: managing large datasets generated.

You are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

As a Knowledge Engineer specialising in Large Language Models (LLM), your role will be instrumental in advancing the capabilities of our cutting-edge NLP solutions. You will contribute to the development of state-of-the-art Large Language Models.

As a Young Graduate Trainee, your responsibilities will span various critical areas:

1. Knowledge Base Construction:

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to curate, expand, and maintain comprehensive knowledge bases.
• Utilise your expertise to ensure the knowledge bases serve as robust foundations for training and enhancing Large Language Models.

2. Data Analysis and Pre-processing:

• Implement advanced data processing techniques to prepare diverse datasets for the training and validation of Large Language Models.
• Contribute to the development of strategies for efficient and effective data analysis in support of model optimisation.

3. Model Fine-Tuning:

• Work closely with data scientists and machine learning engineers to fine-tune Large Language Models incorporating domain-specific knowledge.
• Explore advanced techniques to optimise model parameters, ensuring optimal performance across varied applications.

4. Continuous Improvement:

• Monitor the ongoing performance of Large Language Models, conducting regular evaluations and implementing iterative improvements.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify areas for enhancement and contribute to the development of strategies for continuous improvement.

5. Domain Expertise Integration:

• Develop and implement strategies for integrating domain-specific knowledge into Large Language Models, enhancing their contextual understanding.
• Work closely with domain experts to ensure that Large Language Models generate responses that align with the nuances of specific industries or fields.

6. Collaboration:

• Collaborate seamlessly with cross-functional teams, including data scientists, software engineers, and product managers.
• Ensure alignment between Large Language Models development and overarching business objectives, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.

7. Research and Innovation:

• Stay at the forefront of advancements in Large Language Models and Generative AI through active participation in research initiatives.

In this dynamic role, you will not only contribute to the evolution of Artificial Intelligence technology but also have the opportunity to shape the strategic direction of our LLM solutions. Your expertise will be pivotal in creating systems that redefine the way machines understand and generate human-like language, impacting diverse sectors.

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation

Operational Efficiency

Fostering Cooperation

Relationship Management

Continuous Improvement

Forward Thinking

Education

You should have just completed or be in the final year of your master’s in computer science, artificial intelligence, information management or a related field.

Additional requirements

You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team.

The following would be considered an asset for this role:

• Proven experience working in a knowledge engineering role with a focus on Large Language Model and Generative AI, in addition to any familiarity with major natural language processing (NLP) frameworks and libraries.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, as well as experience with deep learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch) is highly desirable.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyse data, identify patterns, and make data-driven decisions.
• The ability to convey complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

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.

During the interview motivation and overall professional perspective/career goals will also be explored.

Other information

For behavioural competencies expected from ESA staff in general, please refer to the ESA Competency Framework.

For further information on the Young Graduate Programme please visit: Young Graduate Programme and FAQ Young Graduate Programme

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 email contact.human.resources@esa.int.

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Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia, as  Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Cyprus as European Cooperating States (ECS).

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 candidates from under-represented Member States*. 

In accordance with the European Space Agency’s security procedures and as part of the selection process, successful candidates will be required to undergo basic screening before appointment conducted by an external background screening service. 

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.