Intern in the Spaceship ECSAT team

European Space Agency - ESA; Harwell; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 19,000; Full time

Job summary

European Space Agency (ESA) invites university students to join the Spaceship ECSAT team at Harwell for an internship. You will explore topics in robotics, VR/XR, and human factors, contributing to ongoing projects in exploration technologies and cislunar space initiatives.

The internship emphasizes a pragmatic, research-focused approach with collaboration across the ECSAT group, and opportunities to work with ROS/ROS 2, Unreal Engine, and Simulink in real space exploration contexts.

Qualifications

• Must be a university student, preferably in final or second-to-last year of a Master's degree.
• Must be enrolled at the university for the entire duration of the internship.
• Working languages are English and French; knowledge of another ESA language is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to Spaceship ECSAT topics (Topic 1: Robotics, Topic 2: VR/XR, Topic 3: Human Factors).
• Support research and development activities within the ECSAT team.
• Collaborate with researchers and students on hands-on projects related to space exploration.

Skills

Robotics

VR/XR

Human Factors

Education

Bachelor/Master student

Tools

ROS/ROS 2

Unreal Engine

Simulink

Job description

Intern in the Spaceship ECSAT team

Job Requisition ID: 21133

Date Posted: 1 November 2026

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

Publication Method: External Only

Type of Appointment (learn more):

Directorate: Human and Robotic Exploration

Workplace

Harwell, GB

Location

ECSAT, Harwell, United Kingdom

Due to the location of ECSAT and current UK legislation, only UK citizens, students enrolled in a UK university, or those with pre-settled status (right to study) in the UK are eligible to apply for this internship.

Our team and mission

The Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration (D/HRE) is the main ESA entity in charge of supporting and coordinating efforts towards the current and the future endeavours of human spaceflight. The exploration activities are part of the strategic plans in securing a central role for Europe with respect to the global initiatives. The strategy includes three destinations where humans will work with robots to gather new knowledge: Low Earth Orbit (LEO), the Moon, and Mars.

The “Spaceship ECSAT” initiative is investigating low Technology Readiness Level (TRL) technologies for supporting the future cislunar space mission as well as surface activities on the Moon as part of the Exploration Preparation, Research and Technology (ExPeRT) team. This multidisciplinary, innovation-driven team composed of researchers, graduate and undergraduate students is based at the ESA European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications (ECSAT). The founding idea behind this initiative is to prepare the future of space exploration. To do so, a pragmatic and research-focused approach is adopted, and knowledge acquired is disseminated within ESA, partners and the relevant scientific community.

Within Spaceship ECSAT, we have a number of fields where we carry out different projects. These fields are:

• demonstrating disruptive technologies such as Virtual/Augmented Reality, collaborative robotics and their potential use cases for exploration;
• investigating novel concepts in the domain of Space Resources/In-Situ Resource Utilisation, to enable sustainable human exploration;
• topics related to ‘off world living’, e.g. human factors, design and concept illustration.

We are continually looking for innovative applicants with skills or interests in these areas to join the Spaceship ECSAT team.

For more information on the Spaceship ECSAT, please look at the ESA blog (Spaceship ECSAT).

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

You can choose among the following topics:

• Topic 1: Robotics Our Spaceship team is always on the lookout for talented and motivated persons to join our projects and contribute to ESA’s exploration activities. The main areas in which the initiative is currently active are remote manipulation, embedded systems and machine learning.
• Topic 2: VR/XR Our Spaceship team is always on the lookout for talented and motivated persons to join our projects and contribute to ESA’s exploration activities. The main areas in which the initiative is currently active are virtual and augmented reality applied to training, graphic design, human-machine interfaces & robotics.
• Topic 3: Human Factors Our Spaceship team is always on the lookout for talented and motivated persons to join our projects and contribute to ESA’s exploration activities. The main areas in which the initiative is currently active are decision making and outreach with a focus on embedded systems, graphic design and human-machine interfaces.

Our Spaceship team is always on the lookout for talented and motivated persons to join our projects and contribute to ESA’s exploration activities. The main areas in which the initiative is currently active are virtual and augmented reality applied to training, decision making and outreach with a focus on embedded systems, graphic design, human-machine interfaces, remote manipulation and surface mobility.

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.

A background in robotics, computer science, electrical/electronic engineering, mechatronics, aerospace engineering or a related field (Topic 1), together with an interest in virtual and augmented reality, simulation, visualisation (Topic 2) and human–machine interfaces (Topic 3), would be an asset. Familiarity with tools such as ROS/ROS 2, Unreal Engine or Simulink, and an interest in their application to space exploration and planetary surface operations, would also be advantageous.

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