Call for Expressions of Interest to become a Member of the

Astronomy Working Group

Solar System and Exploration Working Group

Space Science Advisory Committee

22 November 2023

Through the present Call, the ESA Director of Science invites scientists affiliated with institutions in the ESA Member States to express their interest in being a member of the Space Science Advisory Committee (SSAC), Astronomy Working Group (AWG), or the Solar System and Exploration Working Group (SSEWG).

The Agency’s science advisory structure is the main channel for ensuring an efficient relationship between ESA and the scientific community in Europe and is an essential element for the good conduct of the Agency’s scientific objectives.

The Space Science Advisory Committee (SSAC) is the senior advisory body to the Director of Science, who is acting as the Director General’s representative, on all matters concerning space science included in the mandatory science programme of ESA.

A number of Working Groups support the work of the Science Advisory Committees and Directorates as appropriate with specific expertise. They report to the Science Advisory Committees on matters concerning their specific science areas. In particular, the Astronomy Working Group (AWG) and the Solar System and Exploration Working Group (SSEWG) report mainly to SSAC, but also to the Human Spaceflight and Exploration Science Advisory Committee (HESAC) and to the Advisory Committee for Earth Observation (ACEO). These Working Groups advise on all science matters related to Astronomy and Solar System science and exploration, excluding Earth sciences.

The goal of this Call is to update a pool of potential candidates to be considered in future years to replace members completing their mandate, guaranteeing proper discipline balance and various diversity criteria in the composition of the SSAC, AWG, and SSEWG. The plan is to issue calls for expressions of interest like this one every 2-3 years (TBC).

The Terms of Reference of the SSAC, AWG, and SSEWG, and details of the format and content required for an Expression of Interest, can be found in the Call for Expressions of Interest to become Member of the Astronomy Working Group, Solar System and Exploration Working Group, or Space Science Advisory Committee​​​​​ document. Appointments are in general for a period of three years. Scientists who have been already members of AWG, SSEWG or SSAC are not eligible for a new term in the same group/committee. The tenure of the Chair is independent of previous normal membership.

Expression of interest Submission form

Expressions of Interest in response to this Call must be submitted using the online form – 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:

Paul McNamara

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

Last updated: 22 January 2024

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