Announcement of opportunity for

Membership of the LISA Science Team

5 February 2024

Through the present Announcement of Opportunity (AO), the Director of Science invites scientists based in ESA Member States to apply for membership of the LISA Science Team (LST).

The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) was selected for study by the Science Programme Committee in 2016 as the mission to implement the science theme "The Gravitational Universe". Following the successful study phase, the mission was adopted by the SPC at its 175th meeting held on 25 January 2024, marking the start of the implementation phase of the mission. The role of the LISA Science Team is to provide scientific advice during the development and operations of the LISA mission.

The LISA Science Team will comprise up to twenty members from European Member States and international partners, including one representative nominated by the LISA Consortium, and up to two complementary scientists, with scientific expertise which broadens the science case of the nominal LISA mission. Of the remaining seventeen members, eleven LST members will be appointed by the Director of Science through this AO, for a term of three years, renewable. The appointment is ad personam. Membership is open to experts in all relevant disciplines of the LISA mission (e.g. instrumentation, data processing, astrophysics) – the composition and expertise of the LST will reflect the needs of the mission throughout its lifecycle. (Up to six LST members will be appointed through a similar call issued by NASA; complementary scientists will be appointed through a future announcement of opportunity.)

The AO is open to scientists based in ESA Member States. The LST should reflect the diversity of the scientific community, hence we encourage applications from early career scientists and historically under-represented groups in astronomy and space science.

Full details of this AO, incliuding the Terms of Reference for members of the LST, can be found in the Announcement of Opportunity for Membership of the LISA Science Team document. Additional information can be found in the LISA Definition Study Report and the LISA Science Management Plan.

Letter of Intent and Proposal Submission forms

Proposals in response to this AO must be preceded by a mandatory Letter of Intent. Proposals not preceded by a Letter of Intent will not be considered. The Letters of Intent and Proposals must be submitted using the online forms – see links to the forms below or in the top menu.

​​​

Schedule for this AO and important dates

Contact

Requests for further information should be addressed to:

Paul McNamara
​​​​Astronomy and Astrophysics Coordinator
ESA/ESTEC
2200 AG Noordwijk
The Netherlands
e-mail: Paul.McNamaraesa.int

Last updated: 27 March 2024

To be informed about new Announcements or Calls from the ESA Science Directorate please subscribe to the dsciannounce mailing list.

​

​

​