Intern in the Climate Action, Sustainability and Science Department - FLEX Mission

Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Our team and mission

The Earth Science Division, of the Climate Action, Sustainability and Science Department, Earth Observation Programmes Directorate, is based at the European Space Research and Technology Centre. The Earth and Mission Science Division provides the creative vision for innovation and new discoveries in Earth system science, using Earth Observation (EO) in close cooperation with the scientific community.

The Earth Science Division team:

• bridges science and technology by translating ideas and concepts into technical reality and scientific success. It does this by defining, consolidating and managing scientific mission requirements throughout all phases of a mission, and by measuring the maturity of the resulting mission concept;
• manages scientific research-based studies, providing the scientific foundation for mission concepts and approval, supports the successful development of space and ground segment, in-orbit satellite commissioning and in-orbit scientific achievements;
• undertakes airborne, marine and terrestrial campaigns contributing to the development of new technologies, mission feasibility assessments, calibration/validation and application development.

You will work within the Earth Surfaces and Interior Section of the Earth Science Division, whose role is to provide scientific support throughout the full lifecycle of Earth Observation missions, from mission concept and assessment studies through development, commissioning and routine operations. The Section contributes to mission requirements definition, scientific performance assessment, calibration and validation activities, product development, mission data exploitation, and the advancement of Earth science through the exploration of emerging scientific questions, novel methodologies and future research directions. The Section has expertise spanning Earth surfaces and interior processes, including terrestrial, oceanic and cryospheric systems, as well as geodesy, gravity and magnetic field observations and solid Earth dynamics. Your activities will contribute to and benefit from a diverse and international team of scientists working across a variety of Earth science disciplines.

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

As an ESA Intern, you will contribute to the early validation of data products generated by FLEX, a new Earth Explorer satellite mission focused on monitoring photosynthesis and vegetation health. Your activities will span across the early operational phase of the mission, allowing you to contribute to the mission's scientific success from the very onset.

Your responsibilities will include analysing selected satellite products acquired during the FLEX commissioning and early operational phases, investigating potential anomalies, and supporting the benchmarking of retrieval and validation methods. Depending on the progress of the mission and the specific activities ongoing during the internship, you may also contribute to the comparison of satellite products with reference and in-situ measurements. You will document your analyses and communicate the results to scientific and technical audiences, contributing to the assessment and progressive improvement of the mission’s products.

Throughout your internship, you will gain practical experience in satellite data processing and validation, working with diverse datasets and collaborating in an international research environment. You will develop skills in data analysis, scientific communication, and project coordination, preparing you for a future career in Earth observation.

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.

Sound scientific knowledge of remote sensing principles and applications is required.
Demonstrated experience in using Python and C++ 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 ESA.Student.Internships@esa.int.

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).