EARTH OBSERVATION MANAGER / UNIT HEAD - M/F

Description:

The "Environment & Climate" Business Unit (BU) of CLS provides operational services and conducts research activities in the fields of oceanography, meteorology, hydrology, and space geodesy. The clients are primarily space agencies (CNES, ESA, EUMETSAT, .), scientists, or private companies.

Within this BU, the "Performance and Valorization of Space Observations" pole is responsible for the validation and valorization of observation data from altimetric space missions, on behalf of various space agencies (CNES, ESA, EUMETSAT), for oceans and continental waters. Its role is essential, notably to guarantee the production of high-quality climate series on various variables, such as the global mean height of oceans or lakes.

In this pole, the "OCEAN AND CONTINENTAL WATER CLIMATE PERFORMANCE" unit is more specifically responsible for activities related to the performance qualification of reference satellite altimetry missions (S6, Jason 3) and the quality of climate series (from which mean sea levels are derived, notably: Mean Sea Level (https://www.aviso.altimetry.fr/en/data/products/ocean-indicators-products/mean-sea-level.html)). These activities cover both operational missions and decommissioned missions, or others to be launched soon, involving operational production, reprocessing, as well as studies focused on improving product quality and the overall performance of the altimetry system. The team is competent in the qualification of the sea level observation system with strong expertise in the analysis of associated errors & uncertainties. It is part of a Directorate dedicated to radar altimetry, including expertise ranging from orbitography to physical oceanography.

You will be in charge of leading and uniting a scientific team dedicated to the analysis and optimization of the performance of space altimetry missions, and notably climate series, which are a strong area of expertise within the team. Your role will be central to guaranteeing data quality, product validation, and the continuous improvement of algorithms and models, as well as anticipating and preparing the team's future activities in close connection with space agencies and our partners. Your main missions will be:

• Supervise, motivate, and develop a team of researchers and engineers, by promoting collaboration and skill development.
• Define the technical and scientific vision and roadmap, as well as the associated commercial tactics, ensuring their deployment and monitoring, while ensuring alignment with the objectives of the Business Unit and other teams.
• Supervise the team's activities: manage the workload and coordination as well as the monitoring of studies, production, and performance analysis of observation missions.
• Ensure talent retention and engagement, by ensuring the maintenance of expertise and professional progression.
• Lead external relations with institutional and industrial partners (CNES, ESA, EUMETSAT, NASA.), by coordinating projects and contributing to business development.
• Participate in the strategy for responding to calls for tenders and the valorization of activities (publications, international conferences).
• Guarantee scientific and technological monitoring on the qualification of altimetry systems, particularly on climate topics.

Profile sought:

• Higher education (PhD or equivalent) in geophysics, oceanography, remote sensing, signal processing, or a related field.
• Proven experience in space observation (ideally in altimetry), on climate topics, and in scientific project management.
• Skills in data processing, mathematics, and statistics.
• Strong leadership, organizational skills, and the ability to unite a team around ambitious goals, with a minimum of two years of experience in team management.
• Proficiency in scientific and technical English.

Join a passionate and supportive team, and take part in an exciting scientific adventure at the heart of tomorrow's space and climate challenges - where innovation meets impact.