Luxembourgish National Graduate Trainee in Business Analytics and Data Science

EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY; Frascati; On-site; EUR 20,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

The European Space Agency invites applications for a Luxembourgish National Graduate Trainee in Business Analytics and Data Science. The programme offers recent Master’s graduates hands‑on experience across space‑related disciplines and is funded by partner States, with selection influenced by background in space policies.

Your tasks include data analytics, planning support, governance of master data, and cross‑functional collaboration to improve processes.

Qualifications

• Recently completed or in final year of a master's degree in data science or related fields.
• Knowledge of data governance and master data management is desirable.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Business controlling: provide data science and analytics support for controlling.
• Financial and resource planning: assist in planning exercises.
• Business analytics and processes: prototype ways to improve efficiency.
• Data maintenance and quality: create and structure master data.
• Data governance and process: develop the data entry model for standards.
• Cross-functional collaboration: improve IT/business data alignment.
• Automation: apply digital solutions for master data operations.

Skills

Strong analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Master's degree in data science

Master's degree in industrial engineering

Master's degree in engineering management

Master's degree in economics

Master's degree in supply chain management

Tools

MS Excel

PowerBI

Tableau

Python

R

SQL

Job description

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Luxembourgish National Graduate Trainee in Business Analytics and Data Science

Job Requisition ID: 20904

Date Posted: 24 September 2026

Closing Date: 15 October 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication Method: External Only

Type of Appointment ( learn more) : National Graduate Trainee

Directorate: Controlling, Finance and Operational Procurement

The ESA National Graduate Trainee (NGT) Programmes offer recent Master’s graduates the opportunity to gain practical, hands‑on experience at ESA across a range of space‑related disciplines. The programmes are essentially similar to ESA’s own Graduate Trainee Programme, notably in offering the same employment conditions. They however differ in one important respect: each NGT Programme is funded by an individual ESA Member State or Associate Member under a bilateral partnership agreement concluded with ESA.
As a result, a representative of the sponsoring State participates in the selection process. In addition to assessing candidates against the requirements of the position, the selection may also include an evaluation of their background and knowledge of the space policies and related activities of the sponsoring State.

Location

Our team and mission

The Head of the Business Unit Controlling and Project Management Support Office manages a team that provides the ESA Directorate for Earth Observation Programmes (EOP) with support for the Directorate’s overall human and financial resources planning, controlling, and reporting. The office provides project control and management support services to all operational units in the Directorate.
The team’s tasks include:

• controlling the activities of the Business Unit (BU) in accordance with the agreed financial and workforce targets;
• consolidating and maintaining short-, medium- and long-term plans, including budgets for all activities of the Directorate, as well as related schedules, cost, cash and commitment plans, workforce plans (staff and contractors) and procurement plans;
• monitoring and reporting at Directorate level on the implementation of the yearly plans covering both activities and resources and elaborating, together with project/line managers, corrective measures to respond to deviations from plans;
• maintaining information flow between line/project/programme management on controlling-related matters;
• providing project control services and management support to all departments, programmes, projects and operational units in the Directorate;
• acting as the main interface to the services in the Finance, Planning and Controlling Department and ensuring coherence of data;
• supporting the consistency, accuracy and timely closure of the Agency’s accounts, ensuring coordination within the BU of the provision of accounting-related information;
• coordinating the budget, cost and commitment ceiling scrutiny within the BU, including risk assessment, and monitoring the implementation of mitigation actions and the Directorate-level financial contingency policy;
• coordinating the Directorate’s implementation of the Agency’s industrial policy;
• supporting integrated project reviews;
• ensuring consistency and adequacy in planning/reporting working methods, in a manner coordinated with the Finance, Planning and Controlling Department.

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

As a Luxembourgish National Graduate Trainee, your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• business controlling: providing data science and business analytics support for the Directorate’s controlling and programme controlling;
• financial and resource planning: supporting the Earth Observation Business Unit Controlling Office in financial and resource planning exercises;
• business analytics and processes: exploring and prototyping modern ways to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of business processes and analytics;
• data maintenance and quality: creating, updating and structuring master data to ensure accuracy and compliance;
• data governance and process: developing and enforcing the data entry model for standards, policies, and workflows;
• cross-functional collaboration: analysing and improving the link between IT and business departments to resolve data inconsistencies;
• automation: utilising and implementing digital solutions for master data operations.

Knowledge of relevant technical and functional domains

Relevant experience gained during internships, project work and/or extracurricular or other activities

General knowledge of the space sector and relevant activities

Knowledge of ESA and its programmes and projects

You should have recently completed, or be in the final year of, a master’s degree in data science, industrial engineering, engineering management, economics or supply chain management.

Additional requirements

You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team. Previous experience of working in international teams can be considered an asset. Your motivation, overall professional perspective and career goals will also be explored during the later stages of the selection process.

You should also have:

• Strong analytical skills
• Strong knowledge in MS Excel and PowerBI or Tableau, as well as in one or more of the following: Python, R, SQL
• Experience with Machine Learning / AI is a distinct asset

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. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.

The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working 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 and Languages
Please note that applications can only be considered from nationals of Luxembou rg or permanent residents of Luxembourg with the nationality of an ESA Member State, Associate Member or Cooperating State.

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