Intern in the Earth Observation Projects Department - CHIME Enhanced Spatial Detection Capabilities

ESA; Noordwijk; On-site; EUR 11,000 - 18,000; Full time

Job summary

ESA in Noordwijk, Netherlands offers an internship in the Earth Observation Projects Department focusing on CHIME Enhanced Spatial Detection Capabilities. You will work with system engineering and mission-performance teams on simulations, uncertainty propagation, and the reliability of hyperspectral data products.

The role emphasizes developing a software prototype to assess achievable spatial improvements while maintaining radiometric and spectral fidelity.

Qualifications

• You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year at Master level.
• You must be able to prove enrollment for the entire duration of the internship.
• Good knowledge of English or French is required; knowledge of another ESA language is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Review the baseline pixel-binning approach and the telescope, spectrometer and pixel contributions to spatial performance.
• Develop a simulation and prototype processing algorithm.
• Evaluate sensitivity to noise, channel misregistration and differences in scene content between wavelengths.
• Quantify spatial improvement alongside any loss of radiometric accuracy or spectral fidelity.
• Document expected improvements and limitations of the proposed approach.
• Test the methods using representative mission scenarios and discuss results with mission scientists and industrial simulator teams.

Skills

Python

Numerical modelling

Statistical analysis

Imaging spectroscopy

Uncertainty propagation

Education

Master's level studies in physics / applied mathematics / Earth observation / aerospace engineering

Job description

As an Intern in the Earth Observation Projects Department - CHIME Enhanced Spatial Detection Capabilities, you will join the CHIME project and work with the system engineering and mission-performance teams on end-to-end simulation, uncertainty propagation and the reliability of hyperspectral satellite data products.

Type of Appointment: Intern

Location: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Our team and mission

Within the Earth Observation Projects Department, the Copernicus Sentinel Expansion missions are currently under development. One of those missions is the CHIME (Copernicus Hyperspectral Imaging Mission for the Environment). CHIME plans to carry a unique visible to shortwave infrared spectrometer to provide routine hyperspectral observations to support new and enhanced services for sustainable agricultural and biodiversity management, as well as soil property characterisation.

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic of the internship: Enhanced spatial detection capabilities for Imaging spectrometer CHIME

Can imaging spectroscopy reveal materials smaller than a ground pixel, and can spatial enhancement improve their detection and quantification? You will investigate these questions for selected scientific applications using simulated or suitable reference observations.

What you will do:

• review the baseline pixel-binning approach and the telescope, spectrometer and pixel contributions to spatial performance;
• develop a simulation and prototype processing algorithm;
• evaluate sensitivity to noise, channel misregistration and differences in scene content between wavelengths;
• quantify spatial improvement alongside any loss of radiometric accuracy or spectral fidelity;
• document expected improvements and limitations of the proposed approach;
• test the methods using representative mission scenarios and discuss the results with mission scientists and industrial simulator teams.

Learning objectives

By the end of the internship, you will be able to:

• assess how instrument modulation transfer function (MTF) affects CHIME’s spatial resolution;
• develop reproducible simulation and reconstruction methods to compare the baseline product with potential enhanced products;
• evaluate achievable spatial improvement and its sensitivity to noise, channel misregistration and spectral differences;
• communicate quantitative evidence to scientific, engineering and industrial specialists.

The principal outcome will be a tested software prototype that enables a feasibility assessment quantifying the achievable spatial improvement relative to the baseline CHIME product.

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.

You should also have:

• background in physics, applied mathematics, Earth observation, signal processing or aerospace engineering;
• experience with Python, numerical modelling and statistical analysis;
• familiarity with uncertainty propagation, sensitivity analysis or imaging spectroscopy is an asset.

Important Information and Disclaimer

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

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.