Intern in the Space Safety Programme Coordination Office

European Space Agency - ESA; Paris; On-site; EUR 8,900 - 13,000; Full time

Job summary

The European Space Agency (ESA) invites applications for an Intern in the Space Safety Programme Coordination Office at the ESA Headquarters in Paris. You will support the Head of the Office by preparing reports, briefs, background materials and presentations for interactions with ESA Member States and partners.

Candidates should be university students, preferably in final or penultimate year, enrolled for the entire duration of the internship.

Qualifications

• You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of your Master's.
• You must be enrolled at your university for the entire duration of the internship.
• Working languages are English and French; good knowledge of one is required.
• Academic or practical experience in engineering/science and social science is a strong asset.
• Six months commitment is preferred, depending on availability.

Responsibilities

• Support the Head of the Space Safety Programme Coordination Office by preparing reports, briefs, background material and presentations for coordinators’ interactions with the Agency, Member States and partners.
• Contribute to the operations of Strategic Space Safety Initiatives and related activities (e.g., Zero Debris Charter and space weather services).

Job description

Intern in the Space Safety Programme Coordination Office

Job Requisition ID: 21077

Date Posted: 1 November 2026

Closing Date: 30 November 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication Method: External Only

Type of Appointment (learn more):

Directorate: Operations

Workplace: Paris, FR

Location: ESA Headquarters, Paris, France

Our team and mission

The ESA Space Safety Department takes care of all potential hazards and threats from space or in space, which can impact human activities, infrastructure, or related applications. The spectrum of tasks ranges from gathering the basic understanding of space hazards originating from our Sun, from human space debris, or from asteroids potentially colliding with the Earth. It also addresses basic approaches to mitigate these hazards and to implement space systems end-to-end in a sustainable and eco-compatible way. Moreover, several corner stone missions are underway to demonstrate basic methods of space weather forecasting, asteroid deflection and active space debris removal from orbit.

In execution of these tasks, the Space Safety Department has the following entities:

• Mission Implementation Division (OPS-SM);
• COSMIC Project Management Office (OPS-SC);
• Space Weather Office (OPS-SW);
• Planetary Defence Office (OPS-SP);
• Space Debris Office (OPS-SD);
• Clean Space & Circular Economy Office (OPS-SY);
• Frequency Management Office (OPS-SF);
• Programme Coordination Office (OPS-SX).

The Space Safety Programme Coordination Office is responsible for leading strategic and coordination activities relating to the ESA Space Safety Programme, in close cooperation with the Programme division and offices, including but not restricted to programme strategy, identification of future activities, managing the programme board, overseeing international and European relations, managing industry relations, managing the programme’s communication activities, etc.

Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int

Field(s) of activity for the internship

You will be based at the European Space Agency (ESA) Headquarters in Paris. During this internship, you will support the Head of the Space Safety Programme Coordination Office in a number of their duties through the preparation of reports, briefs, background material and presentations for the coordinators’ interactions with the rest of the Agency, ESA Member States and other partners (e.g. foreign agencies, industry, EU).

You will also be involved in the operations of the Strategic Space Safety Initiatives, especially on activities related to the Zero Debris Charter and space weather services.

Behavioural competencies

• Result Orientation
• Operational Efficiency
• Fostering Cooperation
• Relationship Management
• Continuous Improvement
• Forward Thinking

For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

Education

You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of university course at Master's level. In addition, you must be able to prove that you will be enrolled at your university for the entire duration of the internship.

Additional Requirements

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another ESA Member State language is an asset.

During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.

Academic and/or practical experience in both engineering/science and social science would be a strong asset.

Due to the nature of the post, a commitment of six months is preferred, depending on the candidate’s availability.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness

ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.

At the Agency we value diversity, and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via email at [e-mail].

Important Information and Disclaimer

During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests.

The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding internship conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.

Nationality

Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Applicants from Canada as a Cooperating State can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).