Deadline: August 8, 2025 at 23:59 CET
The ESA Φ-lab CIN is now opening applications for visionary researchers and innovators in Transformative Technologies to strengthen ESA Φ-lab’s ongoing and future projects in Earth Observation (EO). Find out more and apply now.
Introduction and Context
This call is in the context of the European Space Agency (ESA) Φ-lab Collaborative Innovation Network (CIN), an initiative to foster collaborations among Earth Observation and Transformative Technologies experts. The CIN was created with the aim of attracting high-level researchers, distinguished advisors and key leaders in the above-mentioned fields to the ESA Φ-lab at the ESA Centre for Earth Observation (ESRIN), Frascati, Italy.
ESA Φ-lab is the division of ESA with the mission to accelerate the future of Earth observation (EO) by means of transformational innovation, i.e., innovations with the potential to create or transform industries via new technologies, thereby strengthening the global competitiveness of the European EO industrial and research sectors.
Pi School, which operates in the field of AI and research innovation and has numerous academic contacts through its staff, is responsible for supporting ESA Φ-lab in this mission by creating, managing, coordinating, animating the ESA Φ-lab CIN.
Purpose and Scope of Work
This specific call aims to engage with researchers in Agentic AI systems, which are of growing interest for EO applications in areas such as healthcare, climate change, environmental monitoring, urban traffic analysis, and other impactful civil domains. ESA Φ-lab is looking to collaborate with researchers and technologists with expertise in autonomous agents, multi-agent systems, agent-based modelling, AI planning and reasoning, protocol design, decision-making under uncertainty, goal-directed behaviour, AI orchestration frameworks, and human-AI teaming. This collaboration offers a unique opportunity to shape next-generation AI capabilities in space and EO, with the potential to deliver high societal impact. Selected researchers will be expected to deliver their technical expertise and ecosystem in the field of AI and Agentic AI Systems.
Note that the call is open to candidates with expertise in Agentic AI systems, even if their primary focus is not on the EO sector.
Who are we looking for?
Through our highly selective process, we are looking for people with excellent skills, creativity, and a passion for pushing research boundaries.
In particular, we are seeking Visiting Researchers (PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, or equivalent), from academia or industry, that want to join onsite at the ESA Φ-lab for a period of time to collaborate with ESA Φ-lab staff and research fellows. The purpose is to support and enhance ESA Φ-lab's research and innovation projects, and promote research results in the community (e.g., through seminars, workshops, and publications).
Type of Engagement
As a Visiting Researcher, you will be engaged through the Φ-lab Visiting Researcher Scheme: this is a collaboration performed at ESA Φ-lab with the goal of jointly advancing a specific research proposal of shared interest by leveraging shared expertise, resources and time within an ESA Φ-lab team. The collaboration is unpaid and ideal for researchers already affiliated with an academic institution or employed by a private company. Under specific conditions, ESA may provide coverage for travel and accommodation.
If selected, ESA will send you an invitation letter (see template here).
Expectations and deliverables
Example of activities and possible deliverables:
- Perform joint research based on an agreed research proposal
- Deliver proof-of-concept outputs, in the form of prototypes, benchmarking, or others
- Scientific publications in top-tier journals and conferences
Qualifications
- Proven expertise and extensive experience in one or more of the specified technology areas, especially Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Large Language Models, and Agentic AI
- Knowledge of Earth Observation is appreciated but not required. The aim of the Collaborative Innovation Network is to bring together experts in EO together with those in emerging technologies
- Candidates can come from academia, industry or any other organisation, such as research institutions, space agencies or NGOs
How to apply?
Interested candidates are invited to submit their application, including a detailed CV and any supporting documents or references in the form below. They are asked to include a brief research proposal or concept note outlining a potential area of collaboration aligned t with ESA Φ-lab's strategic focus and where they believe they could make a significant impact.
Selection Criteria:
- Technical expertise and experience
- Alignment with ESA Φ-lab’s strategic objectives and mission goals
- Availability and flexibility for short-term engagements
- Compatibility with ESA Φ-lab’s collaborative and exploratory working culture
This call represents a unique opportunity to contribute to ESA Φ-lab and, more broadly, to ESA’s pioneering projects, influencing the future of space technology. We look forward to welcoming esteemed researchers who are eager to collaborate on transformative space initiatives.
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