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Working at ESO
Are you interested in working in areas of frontline technology and in a stimulating international environment? Do you feel your profile matches our requirements? Learn more about our current vacancies and apply online. Read more..
The European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere (ESO) is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe and the world's most productive ground-based astronomical observatory. ESO carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities enabling astronomers to make important scientific discoveries.
ESO operates three unique world-class observing sites in northern Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor (home to ALMA), and the ESO Headquarters are located in Garching, near Munich, Germany.
At Paranal, ESO operates the Very Large Telescope, the world's most advanced visible-light astronomical observatory, and will host and operate the southern array of the Cherenkov Telescope Array, the world's largest and most sensitive high energy gamma-ray observatory. ESO is a major partner in ALMA. On Cerro Armazones, ESO is building the 39-metre Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), which will become "the world's biggest eye on the sky" and whose operations will be fully integrated into the Paranal Observatory.
Within the Directorate of Administration at our Headquarters in Garching, near Munich, Germany, ESO is advertising the position of
After more than two decades, ESO is embarking on a major transformation to replace its long-standing ERP system with a modern, cloud-based Oracle Fusion platform. This programme will enhance our operational efficiency, agility, and ability to support ESO's mission at the forefront of ground-based astronomy. The transformation will span Finance, Human Resources, Procurement, Supply Chain, Project Management and Controlling, and Observatory Operations, impacting the organisation end to end. To support this journey, we are building a new ERP team and are seeking an experienced ERP Business Analyst / ERP Business Partner to act as a critical link between business functions and technology teams during this transformational programme and beyond into operations.
This is a hands-on, internally focused role responsible for shaping, optimising, and supporting ERP solutions that enable efficient, compliant, and scalable business operations. You will work closely within the ERP Team and with Finance, HR, Procurement, Project Management and Controlling, Observatory Operations, IT, and external partners to ensure that ESO's ERP solutions deliver real and measurable business value. The role spans business analysis, process optimisation, system design, ERP change delivery, and ongoing operational support, with a strong emphasis on stakeholder engagement, data integrity, governance, and adoption.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
Your main tasks include:
Business Analysis & Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as the primary liaison between business stakeholders and technology teams;
- Gather, analyse, and document business and functional requirements;
- Translate business needs into user stories, functional specifications, and process models;
- Facilitate workshops, requirement reviews, and stakeholder forums;
- Provide trusted advisory support to senior stakeholders on ERP capabilities and roadmap priorities.
ERP Solution Design & Delivery
- Analyse, design, configure, and support Oracle ERP solutions (Fusion and EPM);
- Support ERP implementations, upgrades, integrations, and enhancement projects;
- Conduct gap, impact, and feasibility analyses to identify optimisation opportunities;
- Support system testing, user acceptance testing (UAT), and cutover activities;
- Act as a functional authority during implementation and change activities.
Process Optimisation & Transformation
- Identify opportunities to improve, standardise, and automate business processes;
- Develop and maintain processes aligned to ERP and industry best practices;
- Support this major transformation programmes and ensure delivery against approved business cases.
Reporting & Analytics
- Ensure data accuracy, integrity, and consistency across ERP platforms;
- Collaborate with teams to deliver reporting, dashboards, and KPIs;
- Provide analytical insights to support operational and financial decision-making.
Governance, Risk & Compliance
- Ensure ERP solutions meet internal control, audit, and compliance requirements;
- Maintain documentation for change management, approvals, and system controls and operational procedures;
- Monitor user access, segregation of duties (SoD), and configuration changes.
Training & Support
- Support ERP environments and participate in quarterly Oracle Fusion release cycles, including testing and deployment activities;
- Develop user training materials and system documentation;
- Provide hands-on support and guidance to end-users;
- Act as a subject matter expert for ERP-related queries and incidents.
Reports to:
Head of ERP Team.
Key Competences and Experience:
- At least 5 years of experience in ERP business analysis, ERP consulting, or business systems roles;
- Proven experience working with Tier One ERP platforms (Oracle, Workday, SAP, etc.);
- Strong understanding of end-to-end business processes across Finance, HR, Procurement, or Project Management;
- Experience delivering ERP implementations, enhancements, or optimisation projects;
- Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and influencing skills;
- Strong analytical, documentation, and problem-solving capabilities;
- Energy, enthusiasm, and a passion for learning and adapting to new ERP trends and technologies;
- Comfortable in a diverse, international and multicultural environment.
Qualifications:
Essential educational level
University degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
Language skills:
The position requires a strong command of the English language. Spanish language skills 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 Structure
ESO's salary structure is based upon a range of career paths which reflect the nature and level of our jobs. Each career path is made up of two or three grades which are used to further reflect experience.
Please follow this attached 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, and as defined in the applicable policies and staff rules and regulations. 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:
The position is based at the ESO headquarters in Garching bei Muenchen, Germany.
Career Path: V
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 12 February 2026.
Interviews are expected to start soon after this date.
ESO Values
An important element in any successful employment relationship is harmony in values between an organisation and its people.
The ESO values are:
ESO strives for excellence through innovation.
ESO provides outstanding services to its communities.
ESO fosters diversity & inclusion.
ESO believes in the key role of sustainability for its future.
Achieving the above are recognized as only possible on the basis of personal values and attitudes that we expect from our employees: respect, integrity, accountability, commitment, collaboration, and clear & open communication.
Applicants to any ESO role are asked to reflect on their affinity with these values and advised they may be asked about them if called for interview.
Diversity
ESO has established diversity as an important value of the Organisation, is committed to providing an equal opportunities environment and is actively seeking to promote a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce. Please visit https://www.eso.org/public/about-eso/sustainability/dei-at-eso/ for further details.
Nationality
No nationality is in principle excluded from employment at ESO, however, recruitment preference will be given to nationals of our Member States, host states and strategic partners: Australia, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Chile, irrespective of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity or religion.