Science Data Quality and Operations Scientist

For more than half a century, Serco has walked alongside the pioneers of space. Serco has supported over 50 ESA missions where our teams have helped launch satellites, guide spacecraft across the void and turn data into discoveries that reshape our world.

With thousands of specialists contributing across the entire space lifecycle from satellite testing to launch services, LEOP to operations and surveillance, we’ve become a trusted force in national And European space strategies. And now, the next chapter could include you.

We are looking for a highly motivated Science Data Quality and Operations Scientist to join a multidisciplinary team supporting ESA scientific missions in the fields of Astronomy, Planetary Science and Heliophysics.

The successful candidate will be responsible for monitoring, analysing and assessing the quality of scientific data products generated and distributed by Science Operations Centres (SOC). The role involves the verification of scientific processing chains, validation of incoming and outgoing products, investigation of anomalies and support to scientific operations activities throughout the mission lifecycle.

For missions under development, the scientist will contribute to the definition of operational concepts, quality control procedures, calibration and validation strategies. The role also includes supporting the verification and acceptance of scientific processing pipelines and products delivered by external instrument teams and scientific consortia.

For operational missions, the scientist will support routine scientific operations by monitoring data flows, analysing scientific data products, investigating anomalies and ensuring that mission products meet the required scientific quality standards before dissemination to the scientific community.

The scientist will work closely with scientists, instrument teams, scientific consortia, software engineers and mission operations teams to ensure the integrity, consistency and scientific quality of mission products.

Main Responsibilities

• Monitor and assess the quality of scientific data products and processing chains.
• Verify the integrity, consistency and completeness of incoming and outgoing mission products.
• Analyse scientific telemetry, auxiliary data and processing outputs to identify anomalies, inconsistencies or data corruption.
• Support calibration, validation, verification and commissioning activities.
• Perform data quality assessments using Quick Look Analysis (QLA) and similar monitoring tools.
• Investigate anomalies and coordinate corrective actions with instrument teams, software engineers and operations teams.
• Contribute to the definition and continuous improvement of quality control procedures, monitoring tools and operational practices.
• Produce quality assessment reports and operational documentation.
• Participate in scientific reviews, validation campaigns and mission support activities.
• Liaise with external scientific stakeholders, instrument teams and scientific consortia.

Required Skills and Experience

Essential

• Degree in Physics, Astronomy, Space Science, Engineering or a related scientific discipline.
• Experience in scientific data analysis and interpretation.
• Understanding of scientific data processing workflows and product validation activities.
• Experience with Python and scientific data analysis libraries.
• Experience working in Linux environments.
• Ability to analyse complex scientific datasets and identify anomalies.
• Familiarity with scientific visualisation and Quick Look Analysis concepts.
• Understanding of instrument calibration principles and scientific product quality assessment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively with scientists, engineers and operational teams in an international environment.
• Good written and spoken English communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams and collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders.

Desirable

• Previous experience with Science Operations Centres or scientific ground segment activities.
• Experience supporting astronomy, planetary science, heliophysics or Earth observation missions.
• Experience with commissioning, calibration or validation campaigns.
• Knowledge of FITS, PDS, CDF, NetCDF or similar scientific data formats.
• Experience with Python scientific ecosystems (NumPy, SciPy, Pandas, Matplotlib, Astropy).
• Knowledge of scientific archives and data dissemination systems.
• Experience with SQL, scripting and software quality verification activities.
• Familiarity with Agile methodologies and collaborative engineering tools such as Jira and Confluence.

What We Offer

The position offers the opportunity to work within a challenging and highly collaborative environment supporting multiple ESA scientific missions.

The successful candidate will contribute directly to the quality, reliability and scientific exploitation of mission data products, supporting missions from development and commissioning phases through routine scientific operations.

The role provides exposure to a broad range of scientific disciplines, instruments, processing systems and international collaborations, while offering the opportunity to contribute to the evolution of science operations practices across multiple ESA missions.