Intern in the Earth Observation Projects Department - CO2M mission

European Space Agency - ESA; Noordwijk; On-site; EUR 12,000 - 21,000; Full time

Job summary

European Space Agency (ESA) in Noordwijk, Netherlands, offers an internship in the Earth Observation Projects Department focused on the CO2M mission. You will contribute to processing data from calibration campaigns and help develop simulators for instrument acquisitions, working with engineers across the project.

The role requires you to be a Master’s student in good standing, fluent in English, with strong MATLAB and preferably Python skills; knowledge of French is a plus.

Qualifications

• Must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of a Master’s programme.
• Proven ability to work in English; knowledge of French is an asset.
• Strong MATLAB (and preferably Python) skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist in processing data for the CO2M mission and calibration campaigns.
• Develop and enhance simulators for instrument acquisitions and data processing.
• Collaborate with engineers and performance engineers to understand mission performance.
• Familiarise with optical ground support equipment and calibration data.

Skills

MATLAB

Python

English

Education

Master's student (final/penultimate year)

Job description

Intern in the Earth Observation Projects Department - CO2M mission

Job Requisition ID: 21181

Date Posted: 1 November 2026

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

Publication Method: External Only

Type of Appointment (learn more):

Directorate: Earth Observation Programmes

Workplace:

Noordwijk, NL

Location

ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Our team and mission

The CO2M mission aims at monitoring the anthropogenic CO2 emissions from Space. It is a key element providing the European Commission with the means to monitor worldwide at a high spatial resolution the evolution of the main greenhouse gases. The spacecraft is made of three optical instruments: A CO2&NO2 Imaging Spectrometer (CO2I), a Cloud Imager (CLIM) and a Multi Angle Polarimeter (MAP). CO2I is the main instrument measuring the spectral signature of CO2 in the NIR and SWIR domains. MAP aims at measuring the aerosols concentrations to improve the retrieval of the CO2 while CLIM aims at flagging the acquisitions performed in the presence of clouds. Flight models of the three instruments are now available and their on-ground characterisation and calibration have started. Such an on-ground campaign is a key step in the build-up of the database used for the data processing of the in-flight measurements to come. 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: CO2I instrument

In the first instance you will have to familiarise yourself with the concept of the CO2I instrument, in particular its optical design and its detection chain architecture. You will then have to get familiar with optical ground support equipment used to perform the characterisation of the instrument and the processing chain developed to extract the key performance parameters from them (so called Calibration Key Data). A large quantity of data has already been recorded during the CO2I, first characterisation and calibration campaigns and their processing has started. You will be involved in the processing of such a large set of data, and in further developing existing simulators of the instrument acquisitions and processing to refine the understanding of the mission performances. You will work with the engineers responsible for the instruments, together with the optical engineer, the detection chain engineer and the performance engineers.

Topic 2: MAP & CLIM instruments

In the first instance you will have to familiarise yourself with the concept of the MAP & CLIM instruments, in particular their optical design and their detection chain architecture. You will then have to get familiar with optical ground support equipment used to perform the characterisation of the instrument and the processing chain developed to extract the key performance parameters from them (so called Calibration Key Data). A large quantity of data has already been recorded during the MAP & CLIM first characterisation and calibration campaigns and their processing has started. You will be involved in the processing of such a large set of data, and in further developing existing simulators of the instrument acquisitions and processing to refine the understanding of the mission performances. You will work with the engineers responsible for the instruments, together with the optical engineer, the detection chain engineer and the performance engineers.

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.

A good knowledge of MATLAB (or Python) software is required.

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.