Intern in Exploration Science Strategy

European Space Agency - ESA; Noordwijk; Presencial; EUR 8900 - 11.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

European Space Agency (ESA) is offering an internship in Exploration Science Strategy at ESTEC/Noordwijk. The role supports consolidating the HRE science strategy by aggregating inputs from ESA white papers, roadmaps and peer-reviewed articles, and organizing them into a coherent knowledge base.

You will extract priorities and prepare synthesis material for future science planning. You will learn how science strategy is developed in an international space agency context, using literature

Formación

• Master’s level background in data science, space science, life sciences, physical sciences, engineering.
• Good ability to review, analyse and synthesize scientific literature, white papers, roadmaps and strategy documents.
• Interest in human spaceflight, microgravity research, exploration science, or the development of science strategies for space programmes.
• Good command of Microsoft Office tools, in particular Word, Excel and PowerPoint, for document preparation, source tracking, tables and synthesis material.
• Basic knowledge of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and statistical methods.

Responsabilidades

• Collect, catalogue and structure relevant strategy documents, white papers, roadmaps and scientific articles related to HRE science.
• Compare the priorities, science questions, capabilities and implementation approaches identified across ESA material and documents from other agencies.
• Map the scientific literature against the main HRE science themes to highlight evidence, trends, gaps and emerging topics.
• Prepare clear summaries, tables, and visual synthesis material to support discussions within the team and contribute to the consolidation of future science strategy documents.
• Apply existing AI/Machine Learning tools to identify knowledge gaps.
• Learn how science strategy is developed in an international space agency context and how scientific evidence, community inputs and programme constraints are translated into strategic priorities.

Educación

Master’s level background in data science, space science, life sciences, physical sciences, engineering

Herramientas

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Python

Zotero/Mendeley/EndNote

Descripción del empleo

Intern in Exploration Science Strategy

Workplace

Porz-Wahn, DE Noordwijk, NL

Location

EAC, Porz-Wahn, Germany or ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Our team and mission

Within the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Directorate for Human and Robotic Exploration, the Exploration Science activities are a cornerstone of the Explore2040 strategy, driving innovation at the intersection of human exploration and scientific discovery. It integrates exploration-focused science, essential for future missions, with exploration-enabled science, leveraging space for groundbreaking research. With access to ground-based analogues, the ISS, future commercial LEO platforms, the Moon, and Mars, the programme offers unique opportunities for transformative research in diverse environments. Guided by European values of collaboration, excellence, and responsibility, the programme emphasizes open science, international cooperation, and inspiring future generations. From developing countermeasures for spaceflight to searching for life on Mars, ESA Exploration Science advances knowledge for space and Earth alike.

Field(s) of activity for the internship

We are offering an internship opportunity to support the consolidation of the Human and Robotic Exploration science strategy. You will help bring together a broad set of inputs, including ESA white papers, existing science strategy and roadmap documents, strategy documents from other space agencies, and peer-reviewed scientific articles. Theobjectiveis toorganisethese sources into a coherent knowledge base, extract the main scientific priorities and recurring themes, and support the preparation of concise synthesis material that can inform future science planning.

Tasks include

• collect, catalogue and structure relevant strategy documents, white papers,roadmapsand scientific articles related to HRE science;
• compare the priorities, science questions,capabilitiesand implementation approachesidentifiedacross ESA material and documents from other agencies;
• map the scientific literature against the main HRE science themes to highlight evidence, trends,gapsand emerging topics;
• prepare clear summaries,tables,and visual synthesis material to support discussions within the team and contribute to the consolidation of future science strategy documents;
• applyexisting AI/Machine Learningtoolstoidentifyknowledge gaps;
• through this work, you will learn how science strategy is developed in an international space agency context and how scientific evidence, community inputs andprogrammeconstraints are translated into strategic priorities.

Behavioural competencies

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

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.

Knowledge and background required

• Master’s level background indata science,space science, life sciences, physical sciences, engineering, or another discipline relevant to human and robotic exploration;
• good ability to review,analyseandsynthesisescientific literature, white papers,roadmapsand strategy documents;
• interest in human spaceflight, microgravity research, exploration science, or the development of science strategies for spaceprogrammes;
• good command of Microsoft Office tools, in particular Word,Exceland PowerPoint, for document preparation, source tracking,tablesand synthesis material;
• basic knowledge of artificial intelligence, machinelearning,and statistical methods.

Assets

• experience with reference management and literature review tools, such as Zotero, Mendeley, EndNote, Web of Science, Scopus, or similar platforms, would be an asset;
• familiarity with artificial intelligence-assisted tools for literature screening, document analysis,summarisation, textminingor knowledgeorganisationwould be an asset, together with the ability to use such tools critically and responsibly;
• proficiencyinPythonor other relevant programminglanguages.

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.

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.

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.