Intern in the ExPeRT Mars Exploration Studies Team

European Space Agency - ESA; Noordwijk; On-site; EUR 6,700 - 11,000; Part time

Job summary

ESA’s ExPeRT Mars Exploration Studies Team in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, invites a university student (Master's level) for an internship to contribute to future Mars mission studies. You will work closely with payload systems engineers and mission definition teams, helping to manage payload resources and interfaces during Phase A studies.

The role offers exposure to multidisciplinary engineering disciplines, and the opportunity to contribute to mission concepts and documentation while

Qualifications

• Must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of a Master’s program.
• Must be enrolled at your university for the full duration of the internship.
• Good knowledge of English or French (the working languages of ESA) is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Assist in coordinating with the Mars exploration payload systems engineer and mars mission definition teams.
• Support generation of documentation and payload resource allocations for Phase A studies.
• Broaden knowledge of payload instruments, interfaces and operations.

Education

University student (Master's level)

Job description

Intern in the ExPeRT Mars Exploration Studies Team

Job Requisition ID: 21129

Date Posted: 1 November 2026

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

Publication Method: External Only

Type of Appointment (learn more):

Directorate: Human and Robotic Exploration

Workplace:

Noordwijk, NL

Location

ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Our team and mission

The Mars Exploration Studies Team in ESA’s Human and Robotic Exploration Directorate is tasked with formulating future Mars missions. This is done in coordination with relevant stakeholders and specialists within ESA, selected definition teams and with external stakeholders in the Member States and Associates, including industry and the science and instrument development communities. The Mars Exploration Studies Team is currently engaged in parallel mission studies and technology developments for ESA’s future missions to Mars (beyond the Rosalind Franklin rover mission planned for launch in 2028). These encompass elements of infrastructure around Mars for communications and navigation support, measurements needed to address knowledge gaps for future exploration, remote sensing from Mars orbit and in situ measurements from the martian surface. The team is a small, dynamic and multidisciplinary grouping within the ExPeRT (Exploration Preparation, Research and Technology) division. Part of the team’s work is to track the potential and proposed payload equipment, which needs to meet the desired technology readiness, resources, and technical and operational interfaces with the spacecraft.

Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int

Field(s) of activity for the internship

You will work in close coordination with the Mars exploration payload systems engineer, the Directorate’s scientific support for Mars exploration, and Definition Teams for Mars lander Science and Instrumentation. You will support tracking and elaboration of the information provided by the definition teams as it is used iteratively with mission studies, to help define a set of properly-margined payload resource (mass, power, volume, data, etc.) allocations, interfaces and operational concepts. You will support MarsX in generation of a first issue of a Payload Definition Document, which helps formalise the instructions to industry for studying the mission at Phase A level. You have an opportunity to broaden your knowledge of payload instruments and the technical aspects of their interfaces and operations.

Behavioural competencies

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

For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

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 in multiple engineering disciplines (mechanical, electrical, thermal, digital, etc.) is an 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 undertake 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.