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 Announcement of Opportunity
for AN Interdisciplinary Scientist
in the Comet Interceptor mission

16 September 2024

Comet Interceptor is an ESA mission in cooperation with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). It aims to characterise a long period comet, which could potentially be a dynamically new comet, or an interstellar object. The mission was adopted by the Science Programme Committee in June 2022 as the first "F" mission in the Science Programme. A Science Working Team (SWT), appointed by ESA in coordination with JAXA, advises ESA on all aspects of the mission potentially affecting its scientific performance. The composition of the SWT is defined in the Science Management Plan (SMP). The SWT is supported by Working Groups (WGs), in specific scientific and/or science operation areas, relevant for the mission.

In 2023, a first call for Interdisciplinary Scientists (IDSs) resulted in the selection of four scientists. By July 2024, one of these positions became vacant, prompting the issuance of the current call to appoint a new IDS. Through the present Call, the ESA Director of Science invites scientists based in ESA Member States to apply for an Interdisciplinary Scientist position in the Comet Interceptor mission.

Lead Scientists and Co-Lead Scientists of the Comet Interceptor instruments, other scientists leading or involved in the programmatic, scientific, or technical management of the Comet Interceptor instruments or being responsible for hardware or software development and procurement activities, as well as other Science Working Team members, are not eligible, while Co-Investigators of instrument teams may apply to become IDSs.

Full details of this Call can be found in the Announcement of Opportunity for an Interdisciplinary Scientist in the Comet Interceptor mission document.

Letter of Intent and Proposal Submission forms

Applications for the position of Interdisciplinary Scientist 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 left-hand menu.

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Schedule for this call and important dates

Contact

Requests for further information should be addressed to:

Yannis Zouganelis
Solar System Science Coordinator
Directorate of Science
European Space Agency
Email: yannis.zouganelis - at - esa.int

and

Michael Küeppers
ESA Project Scientist for Comet Interceptor
Directorate of Science
European Space Agency
Email: michael.kueppers - at - esa.int

Last updated: 16 September 2024

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