Cybersecurity Specialists

The role is based on-site at ESO in Garching near Munich and relocation to the duty station area is required.

Join ESO as a Cybersecurity Specialist and contribute to strengthening cybersecurity across a unique intergovernmental scientific organisation. As part of the IT Projects and Security Group, you will support the protection, resilience, and continuous improvement of ESO's IT environment and services.

The successful candidates will contribute to the delivery of ESO's cybersecurity programme and help strengthen cybersecurity operations, security engineering, resilience capabilities, and the secure onboarding of new IT services. Working closely with other cybersecurity specialists, internal stakeholders, and external providers, you will help ensure that cybersecurity requirements are effectively integrated into operational activities, projects, and new services.

Depending on organisational priorities and the experience and strengths of the successful candidates, responsibilities may focus on cybersecurity operations, cybersecurity engineering, project delivery, service onboarding, risk management, and resilience activities.

Your work will contribute to reducing cybersecurity risks, improving operational resilience, supporting secure digital transformation initiatives, and ensuring the reliable operation of critical services.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

You will:

Position 1: Cybersecurity Operations

• Support cybersecurity monitoring, threat detection, investigation, and incident response activities.
• Contribute to threat hunting and analysis activities in collaboration with internal and external cybersecurity partners.
• Support vulnerability management activities, including identification, prioritisation, and follow up of remediation actions.
• Contribute to the implementation and continuous improvement of cybersecurity controls and operational processes.
• Support the operation and optimisation of cybersecurity tools and technologies.

Position 2: Cybersecurity Engineering, Projects and Resilience

• Contribute to the delivery of cybersecurity improvement projects and initiatives.
• Support the secure onboarding of new services, technologies, and solutions in both on premises and cloud environments.
• Participate in security assessments and help ensure that cybersecurity requirements are appropriately addressed during projects and service changes.
• Support the identification, assessment, and management of cybersecurity risks.
• Contribute to the development and improvement of disaster recovery, backup, and resilience capabilities.
• Support the definition and implementation of security controls, standards, and governance practices.

General

• Collaborate with technical and non-technical stakeholders across the organisation.
• Prepare documentation, reports, and recommendations related to cybersecurity activities.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the cybersecurity function.
• Adapt to evolving cybersecurity priorities and organisational needs.

Reports to:

Head of the IT Projects and Security Group, Information Technology Department, Directorate of Engineering.

Key competences and Experience:

Essential

• Professional experience at least in one of the following fields: cybersecurity, IT operations, IT infrastructure, cloud services, technology projects, or a related area.
• Understanding of cybersecurity principles, security controls, and common threat scenarios.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and as part of multidisciplinary teams.
• Structured and organised approach to work.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing requirements.

Desirable

• Experience in cybersecurity operations, incident response, threat detection, or vulnerability management.
• Experience in cybersecurity engineering, security implementation, or technology projects.
• Experience supporting cloud or on premises service deployments and onboarding activities.
• Experience in cybersecurity risk management, resilience, disaster recovery, or business continuity.
• Familiarity with recognised cybersecurity practices and frameworks such as ISO 27001, NIST, CIS Controls, or similar.
• Experience working within international or complex organisational environments.

Qualifications:

University degree in Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field. Equivalent professional experience will also be considered.

Recent graduates with relevant practical experience, internships, academic projects, or demonstrated cybersecurity interest are encouraged to apply.

Relevant professional certifications are considered an asset but are not required.

Language Skills:

An excellent command of the English language, both oral and written, is essential. A working knowledge of German and/or Spanish would be an advantage.

Remuneration and Contract:

We offer an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary (free of income tax for applicants from ESO member states), comprehensive pension scheme and medical, educational and other social benefits, as well as financial help in relocating your family and support to place your child/children in daycare.

Our Salary and career structure:

ESO's salary structure is based upon a range of career paths which reflect the nature and level of our roles. Each career path is made up of two or three grades which are used to further reflect experience and performance. Both positions are in Career Path V. The role of Head of the Optical Engineering Department is in Career Path VI. Please follow this link for more details https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/salary-structure/

ESO aims to support members of personnel in maintaining a good work-life balance (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/#work-life-balance) between their professional and private life. ESO is also committed to offering family-friendly support (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/#family-friendly-support), creating a work environment and policies which allow staff to balance their professional and private responsibilities through flexible working arrangements and financial support for families.

The contract is for a fixed term duration of three years and is subject to successful completion of the probation period. There may be a possibility of extension(s) subject to individual performance and organisational requirements. For any further information, please visit ESO's conditions of employment (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/). Please note that the contract policy and in particular the regulations concerning fixed-term and indefinite contracts are currently under review which may lead to changes in the contractual conditions applicable to this position.

Duty Station:

Garching near Munich, Germany with occasional duty trips to Chile.

The role is based on-site at ESO and relocation to the duty station area is required. Staff at ESO benefit from a mobile working policy that allows for limited hybrid working for work-life balance purposes.

Application:

If you are interested in working in areas of frontline science and technology and in a stimulating international environment, please visit http://www.eso.org for further details.

Applicants are invited to apply online at http://jobs.eso.org/. Applications must be completed in English and should include a motivation letter and CV. Within your CV, please provide the names and contact details of three persons familiar with your work and willing to provide a recommendation letter upon request. Referees will not be contacted without your prior consent.

Deadline for applications is 20 September 2026.

Interviews are expected to start soon after this date.