Intern in the Projects Department - EnVision Project:Venus Atmospheric Variability and Gravity Waves

European Space Agency; Noordwijk; On-site; EUR 17,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

European Space Agency invites an intern to join the EnVision Project team, focusing on Venus atmospheric variability and gravity-wave activity. You will work with accelerometer data from the Venus Express mission to constrain atmospheric variability in EnVision simulations, developing a parametric model and comparing with observed density perturbations.

Collaborating with mission analysis, system engineering and science teams, you will help generate density disturbance scenarios for reference

Qualifications

• University student in good standing, preferably final year or penultimate year (Master's level).
• Ability to prove enrollment for entire internship duration.

Responsibilities

• Develop parametric representations of density perturbations based on Venus atmospheric data.
• Derive distributions for amplitudes, wavelengths and phases of wave trains.
• Compare simulations with observations and assess aerodynamic effects on spacecraft.
• Contribute to Attitude and Orbit Control System simulations and thermo-mechanical analyses.

Job description

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Intern in the Projects Department - EnVision Project:Venus Atmospheric Variability and Gravity Waves

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

EnVision was selected by ESA’s Science Programme Committee as the fifth Medium-class mission in the Agency’s Cosmic Vision plan, with a launch in the early 2030s from ESA’s Spaceport in Kourou. EnVision will be the first mission to investigate Venus from its inner core to its upper atmosphere, characterising the interaction between its different envelopes: its atmosphere, surface/subsurface and interior. It aims to provide a holistic view of Venus, studying the planet’s history, activity, and climate.

EnVision’s science payload consists of VeraSAR, a dual polarisation S-band radar also operating as microwave radiometer and altimeter, which will map the surface of Venus; three optical spectrometers (VenSpec-M, VenSpec-U and VenSpec-H) designed to observe the surface and atmosphere of Venus; and the Subsurface Radar Sounder (VeSper), a High Frequency (HF) sounding radar to probe the top kilometres of subsurface. These are complemented by a Radio Science investigation exploiting the spacecraft Telemetry Tracking and Command (TT&C) system to map the planet’s gravity field and constrain its internal structure, and to measure the composition and structure of Venus’ atmosphere.

The EnVision project team is responsible for implementing the EnVision mission, composed of all its elements (Spacecraft, Instruments, Ground Segment).

The role of the Mission and Performance team within the EnVision project is to ensure that the mission will fulfil its mission requirements by rigorous requirements apportioning, defining and controlling interfaces between elements, and verifying the requirements by establishing end-to-end performance budgets, supported as needed by mission performance simulations. The team is directly interfacing with all stakeholders of the mission (industry, the mission operations centre at ESOC in Germany, the Science Operations centre at ESAC in Spain, the launcher provider, the science team and the instrument teams).

The mission and performance team develops and maintains mission-level tools and budgets (e.g. Delta V budget, aerobraking scenarios), including mission performance simulators for both the aerobraking and scientific parts of the mission, perform relevant mission-level analyses and lead mission-level trade-offs.

Topic of the internship: Representation of Venus atmospheric variability and gravity-wave activity

The internship will exploit accelerometer measurements acquired during the Venus Express aerobraking campaign to constrain the representation of atmospheric variability and gravity-wave activity used in EnVision aerobraking simulations. Following the reconstruction of atmospheric-density profiles from the VEX measurements, Venus Climate Database simulations will be generated for conditions representative of the corresponding VEX passes. The simulations will be compared with the observed density levels, variability and spectral content.

You will develop a parametric representation of the measured density perturbations—for example, based on a superposition of wave trains—and derive distributions for the associated amplitudes, wavelengths and phases. The ability of both the Venus Climate Database and the parametric model to reproduce the flight observations and their resulting aerodynamic effects will be assessed.

The resulting modelling approach will then be applied to representative EnVision trajectories to generate reference atmospheric-density disturbance scenarios. These scenarios will support, in particular, Attitude and Orbit Control System simulations and thermo-mechanical fatigue analyses of spacecraft appendages, including the solar arrays. Time permitting, you will also contribute to relevant EnVision aerobraking Monte Carlo analyses.

Throughout the internship, you will collaborate closely with the mission analysis, system engineering, payload and science teams, as well as environment experts of the technical directorate. The internship offers a unique opportunity to gain end-to-end insight into planetary mission design and to make a meaningful contribution to the preparation of a major European planetary exploration mission.

• 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 Python is an asset, as well as the ability to work autonomously.

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.