Intern in the Vulcan Team in Harwell

Closing Date: 29 July 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Directorate: Human and Robotic Exploration

Workplace: Harwell, GB

Due to the location of ECSAT and current UK legislation, only UK citizens, students enrolled in a UK university, or those with pre‑settled status (right to study) in the UK are eligible to apply for this internship.

Our team and mission

The Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration (D/HRE) is the main ESA entity in charge of supporting and coordinating efforts towards the current and future endeavours of human spaceflight and robotic exploration. The exploration activities are part of the strategic plans in securing a central role for Europe with respect to the global initiatives. The strategy includes three destinations where humans will work with robots to gather new knowledge: Low Earth Orbit (LEO), the Moon, and Mars.

The Vulcan Analogue Sample Facility is uniquely positioned within D/HRE’s Exploration Preparation, Research and Technology (ExPeRT) team to support long‑term Lunar and Martian Surface Exploration by developing operational concepts and low TRL technologies. The Vulcan team provides expert support (on analogue sample topics) to research and technology development projects (focused on space exploration and planetary science applications) within ESA, its member states, and the rest of Europe.

The Vulcan Facility is a geological repository and analytical laboratory operated by a multidisciplinary, onsite team of staff and contractors. It is located on the Harwell Campus in the UK (part of ESA’s ECSAT site) and serves as a European focal point for the research, curation, and characterisation of analogue samples. The facility acts to:

• support validation and de‑risking of low TRL technologies & key operational concepts;
• improve confidence in European simulants;
• inspire the next generation of planetary geoscientists.

Topic of the internship: Analogue Sample Research & Development

Research activities focus on analogue samples and related technologies through collaboration with other ESA teams (primarily Spaceship ECSAT). They include:

• New, customised analogue sample recipes for present and future missions: low‑medium fidelity simulants for a range of target planetary bodies and sites; high fidelity, mechanical simulants for a range of engineering and geotechnical applications e.g. plume surface interaction, dust interaction, mitigation, and contamination testing; high fidelity, ISRU simulants focused on resource extraction and additive manufacturing test purposes; investigation of artificial (i.e. non‑geological) simulant components e.g. simulated agglutinates.
• Adapted techniques for advanced characterisation of the physical, mechanical, mineralogical, and chemical properties of analogue samples.

Additional requirements

You must be a university student, preferably studying 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.

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. Knowledge and background in Planetary Science or Geoscience is required. Knowledge in coding languages, geotechnical engineering, and materials processing 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.

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.