eSpace is dedicated to promoting excellence in space research, education and innovation. Our dynamic team boasts a profound technical expertise with a wide range of industry and academic experience, and benefits from close collaborations with research laboratories and institutes at EPFL. The internal skill set includes system engineering, mission design, interdisciplinary project management, scenario planning, technology roadmapping, attitude and orbit control systems (AOCS), and relative navigation. We can also welcome PhD students within our team (check the PhD Guide at EPFL).
Occasional job opportunities will be published below, however we are always interested in hearing from talented individuals who could bring additional skills and knowledge to our team. While all aspects of space research will be considered, our current focus is on three main areas: removal of space debris, sustainable space logistics, and relative navigation.
Spontaneous applications can be sent via this form.
Teacher on Space Mission Design and Operations
eSpace at the EPFL Space Center promotes excellence in space research, education and innovation. Our young and dynamic team boasts a profound technical expertise. The internal skill set includes system engineering, mission design, space sustainability, multidisciplinary project management astrophysics…
As part of our educational mandate, eSpace manages the EPFL Minor in Space technologies (around 90 students each year) and support the following EPFL student associations (more than 300 students) and interdisciplinary projects that comes with their challenges and hands-on experiences: EPFL Rocket Team, EPFL Spacecraft Team, EPFL Xplore, Space Situational Awareness Team EPFL, and Asclepios.
Prof. Claude Nicollier has been teaching the following course for over 20 years at EPFL: Space Mission Design and Operations. (https://edu.epfl.ch/coursebook/fr/space-mission-design-and-operations-EE-585). Prof. Nicollier will stop his teaching activities next semester, thus the search for a new teacher to take over the course, starting in Fall 2024.
The design of the course should include the notions in the current course descriptions, especially the focus on orbital mechanics, and interface with the courses on Spacecraft design and systems engineering.
We are looking for an experienced Space Mission design expert to teach the course on Space mission design and operations.
funding opportunities
SNSF Grants
You may also decide to apply for a grant to work at eSpace with your own funding.
The Swiss National Science Foundation offers fellowships for research in Switzerland or Swiss researchers abroad.
Feel free to contact us directly if you decide to follow this process, we will be ready to help.
Existing fellowships at SNSF: Ambizione, PRIMA, Eccelenza, Spark, Scientific Exchanges.
If you consider applying for these fellowships, you may contact us at espace@epfl.ch at least 3 months before the SNF deadline to get our support.
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
Each year the Swiss Confederation awards Government Excellence Scholarships to promote international exchange and research cooperation between Switzerland and over 180 other countries.
These scholarships are aimed at young researchers from abroad who have completed a master’s degree or PhD and at foreign artists holding a bachelor’s degree.