Intern in the Digital, Data and Information Technology Department - Data and Apps Factory

ESA - European Space Agency; Noordwijk; On-site; EUR 13,000 - 20,000; Full time

Job summary

European Space Agency in the Netherlands invites applications for an Intern in the Digital, Data and Information Technology Department – Data and Apps Factory. You will contribute to the ESA Data Factory data platform and AI initiatives, collaborating with seasoned colleagues on real-world tasks.

The internship emphasizes hands-on experience with data systems, applied AI, access control, and interface design.

Qualifications

• Must be a university student and enrolled for the entire duration of the internship.
• Strong knowledge of data systems and applied AI is an asset.
• Familiarity with databases, cloud services (Azure), and vector stores is desirable.
• Ability to document approaches clearly for reuse by others.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to developing a store that makes knowledge readable by intelligent systems with proper access controls.
• Assist in building the context layer connecting data sources and meanings.
• Support design and development of interfaces to explore and understand data.
• Explore and test new AI tools and techniques for data systems.
• Document approaches for reuse by others.

Skills

Data platforms

Azure cloud

Vector stores

Python programming

Documentation

Education

Master's student in Computer Science or related

Tools

SQL databases

Job description

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Intern in the Digital, Data and Information Technology Department - Data and Apps Factory

Job Requisition ID: 21002

Date Posted: 1 November 2026

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

You would join the Data & Apps Factory team, part of the Data & AI Office, working on the ESA Data Factory: the data platform that powers data-driven decisions and the integration of artificial intelligence across the organisation. Our mission is to make the organisation's data discoverable, trustworthy and ready for use by both people and intelligent systems.

Alongside the core platform, we are building new initiatives that extend it beyond traditional structured data: a store that makes the knowledge held in written documents readable by intelligent systems and a context layer that captures the relationships and meaning between different data sources. You would be part of a collaborative, curious environment, contributing to real, ongoing activities and seeing your results used across the organisation.

As an intern, you would collaborate with experienced colleagues on innovative topics within the data platform, contributing to real, ongoing activities. Your tasks may include:

• contributing to the development of a store that makes the knowledge held in written documents readable by intelligent systems, with the correct access controls;
• helping to build the context layer that captures the relationships and meaning between different data sources;
• supporting the design and development of the interfaces through which colleagues explore and understand the organisation's data;
• exploring and testing new tools and techniques in applied artificial intelligence related to data systems;
• documenting approaches so they can be understood and reused by others.

Through this internship, you would:

• gain hands-on experience of how a modern data platform is designed and operated;
• develop practical skills in applied artificial intelligence, including how written information is made usable by intelligent systems;
• learn how meaning, relationships and access control are applied to data in a complex organisation;
• strengthen your ability to document and communicate technical information clearly.

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

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 in data systems and applied artificial intelligence is an asset.

It is also useful if you have experience in the following areas, including through university or school projects:

• databases and structured data;
• cloud services, particularly Microsoft Azure, or on-premise environments such as virtual machines;
• vector stores or retrieval-based systems that make documents usable by intelligent systems;
• programming, data handling, or building small applications or interfaces;
• a general interest in applied artificial intelligence and how it is used with real data.

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).