Work With Us

Join KBR GmbH and help shape the future of the human space sector. With over 23 years of experience supporting ESA and the European human space industry, we deliver high-quality services backed by the resources of our parent company, KBR. Partnering with us means being part of a dynamic team committed to innovation and excellence in space exploration. Together, we can achieve remarkable advancements in this exciting field.

KBR GmbH Space Medicine Project Support Scientist

Purpose of the Job

The Space Medicine Project Support Scientist is a member of the Space Medicine Projects & Technologies (SMP) Team within ESA’s Space Medicine Team. The goal of the SMP Team is to identify and evaluate innovative technologies and approaches (based on new knowledge/evidence) with the potential to improve medical support to ESA astronauts.

The role of the Space Medicine Project Support Scientist is to contribute to KBR GmbH’s SMP activities as defined in the Space Medicine Services Contract which is coordinated by the KBR GmbH SMP Work Package Lead. As such the Space Medicine Project Support Scientist is expected where appropriate to contribute to the:

Generation and evaluation of requirements for space medicine projects and Crew Health and Performance.
Generation of knowledge of potential Crew Health and Performance technologies through the definition and support of activities with human volunteers on ground or in-flight.
Maintenance of a Medical Knowledge Gaps priority list to facilitate collaboration with ESA Life Sciences and ESA Member State academic institutions.
Liaising with other ESA directorates, space agencies, industry, and universities in support of functional and performance evaluation of medical technologies and/or space medicine-related knowledge (evidence) development
Development of tools and define/evaluate studies to answer questions relevant to Crew Health and Performance
Conducting of specification, and functional performance evaluations of technologies of potential interest to the ESA SMT as defined by the ESA Medical Projects Lead.
Support of functional and performance evaluations of medical technologies and/or space medicine-related knowledge (evidence) development in spaceflight, analogue environments and within large-scale analogue studies.
Where appropriate, act as the Principal Investigator (PI) for identified technology functional and performance evaluations and/or space medicine-related knowledge (evidence) development studies with human volunteers in spaceflight, analogue environments and within large-scale analogue studies.
Definition, drafting and evaluation of the execution of ESA Purchase Orders (POs) and other ESA contracts related to SMP Objectives.
Conduct administrative tasks including contract support to facilitate and evaluate functional and performance evaluation of medical technologies and/or space medicine-related knowledge (evidence) development
Provision of expert support to the Medical Projects Lead related to Medical Technology and Space-Medicine related knowledge (evidence) development by:

Reviewing and summarizing scientific and grey literature and data relevant to Crew Health and Performance
Reviewing and summarizing technical documentation of candidate medical technologies
Analyzing, summarizing, and reporting qualitative and quantitative data

Background and Experience

The candidate should be fluent in English (written and spoken) and have a master’s degree or higher in human physiology, bioengineering or a related field. Knowledge of human space physiology / space medicine is an asset. The candidate should be familiar with the principles of conducting experiments / evaluations with human participants including the need for, and experience of, the process of acquiring ethical approval. The role is a full-time equivalent (e.g., 40 hours per week) with core hours Monday through Friday. The prime work location is at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany. We welcome applications from people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, all genders, LGBTQ+ individuals and ex-service personnel.

The candidate should have proven experience in:

defining and evaluating scientific &/or clinical projects, ideally in interdisciplinary and international contexts
performing evaluations / studies that have included human participants
synthesizing data / studies (i.e., a systematic review) and generating concise summaries including recommendations for action
demonstrated skills and experience in scientific project management
procurement / management / delivery of contracted (e.g., military) evaluations / studies
applying strong analytical and problem-solving skills including qualitative and quantitative data processing.
reporting and/or disseminating the findings of scientific evaluations or verification reports.
demonstrating flexibility and positive attitude towards teamwork
demonstrating an ability to work effectively on projects with little pre-existing experience and meeting tight deadlines.
demonstrating proficiency using Microsoft Office applications

Additional candidate assets

Knowledge of German and/or another ESA member state language is an asset
Experience in agile project management and performance evaluation is an asset
Experience in ESA’s procurement mechanisms is an asset
Knowledge about ESA and its different funding mechanisms is an asset.

To apply for this position, send your complete CV and motivation cover letter in English to jobs@wylelabs.de

To apply for this position, send your CV and cover letter to info@wylelabs.de

Biomedical Engineer (BME)

Purpose of the Job

A Biomedical Engineer (BME) is a member of the ESA Space Medicine Team (SMT) within the Engineering & Operations (E&O) unit. The general function of the BME is to ensure astronaut health and well-being by providing medical operational, engineering, and project support to the ESA crew surgeons, the SMT medical project unit, and other ESA human spaceflight mission support disciplines. This includes medical technology development support, document preparation, operational processes development, flight controller training, continuous coordination with the different ESA Human Spaceflight Integration and Operations entities and the International Partner communicator and medical teams and console support in the role of EAC Crew Operations Support (ECOS) Flight Controller and/or EUROCOM Flight Controller.

As ECOS Flight Controller, the BME ensures the ops preparation and real time implementation of ESA activities assigned to ECOS in the domain of crew support, astronaut training, and medical operations and technology testing. As EUROCOM flight controller, the BME is responsible for Crew Communications and Medical Operations. The BME ensures that ESA, is ready to provide Real Time (R/T) support to the ESA astronauts, the International Partner Communicator and Medical teams, and the ESA Flight Control team during ISS Space Missions. The EUROCOM is also the medical representative to the Mission Control Center. In the EUROCOM role on console, the BME facilitates the communication between the ESA Flight Controllers on the ground and the crew on-board the ISS and represents the ESA crew’s interest in the ESA Flight Control Team. He/she ensures the implementation of the ESA Flight Program, monitors and annotates biomedical, environmental, and other crew-related data, maintains awareness of ongoing on-orbit operations, and ensures the implementation of the ESA Medical Support Program. A large portion of the job corresponding to flight operations involves responding to new situations as they arise.

Job Functions may include the following and other activities as reasonably assigned. Click on the buttons below for details.

Background and Experience

General Functions

ECOS (EAC Crew Operations Support) Functions

EUROCOM Functions

The following training is required and can be provided to successful candidates:

Successful completion of COLUMBUS systems and payload training certification (user level)
Successful completion of COL-CC Flight Controller Training for console operations
For ECOS-related assignments: successful completion of ECOS Flight Controller training & certification
For EURCOM assignment: successful completion of ESA EUROCOM Flight Controller Certification
Successful completion of EUROCOM Flight Controller theoretical and hands-on training (e.g., Voice Protocol, ISS crew procedures, CHeCS hardware, space physiology, etc.)
Successful completion of Instructor Training Course (or Light version) is an asset, but not required
Successful completion of Project Management training

Specific Qualification Requirements:

Experience in ISS medical systems, ISS medical operations, ISS space flight procedures, space flight communication protocols, and/or ISS Astronaut training lesson design/development/implementation is highly sought after.
Fluent in English communication skills (writing and speaking), including presentations to large groups
Knowledge of German and/or another ESA member state language is an asset
High level of flexibility and positive attitude towards teamwork
Demonstrate ability to multi-task and manage several varied projects
Ability to excel in a multi-cultural environment
Ability to maintain high level of organization and efficient output
Ability to cope well with stress
Ability to work well with information technology resources
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with international partners, organizations and academic institutions is necessary
A background in human physiology and/or human space physiology is highly desired
Strong foundation knowledge in human space flight, especially space operations is an asset