Intern in the Spaceship ECSAT Team in Harwell

Location & Eligibility

Location: ECSAT, Harwell, United Kingdom. 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.

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. 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.

Spaceship ECSAT Initiative

The “Spaceship ECSAT” initiative is investigating low Technology Readiness Level (TRL) technologies for supporting the future cislunar space mission as well as surface activities on the Moon as part of the Exploration Preparation, Research and Technology (ExPeRT) team. This multidisciplinary, innovation‑driven team composed of researchers, graduate and undergraduate students is based at the ESA European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications (ECSAT). The founding idea behind this initiative is to prepare the future of Space exploration. A pragmatic and research‑focused approach is adopted, and knowledge acquired is disseminated within ESA, partners and the relevant scientific community.

Fields of Activity

• Demonstrating disruptive technologies such as Virtual/Augmented Reality, collaborative robotics and their potential use cases for exploration
• Investigating novel concepts in the domain of Space Resources/In‑Situ Resource Utilisation to enable sustainable human exploration
• Topics related to off‑world living, e.g. human factors, design and concept illustration

Additionally, the Spaceship team is involved in supporting the development of our VULCAN analogue sample facility at ECSAT. This facility is designed to be a focal point for simulant development (including regolith, rocks etc.) and curation activities in Europe for Space Applications, with a focus on Exploration and Science. It provides expertise to ESA, its member states, and potentially worldwide regarding analogue and simulant materials.

Available Internship Topics

• Topic 1: Spaceship ECSAT – Robotics

  Our team is always on the lookout for talented and motivated persons to join our projects and contribute to ESA’s exploration activities. The main areas into which the initiative is currently active are remote manipulation and surface mobility.

• Topic 2: Spaceship ECSAT – VR/XR

  Our team is always on the lookout for talented and motivated persons to join our projects and contribute to ESA’s exploration activities. The main areas into which the initiative is currently active are virtual and augmented reality applied to training, decision making and outreach with a focus on embedded systems and graphic design.

• Topic 3: Spaceship ECSAT – Astronaut assistant

  Our team is always on the lookout for talented and motivated persons to join our projects and contribute to ESA’s exploration activities. The main areas into which the initiative is currently active are human‑machine interfaces and machine learning.

Behavioural Competencies

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

Education Requirements

You must be a university student, preferably studying at master’s level. Additionally, 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 the topical areas 1, 2 and 3 presented for Spaceship ECSAT is required.
• Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.

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.

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

• 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
• United Kingdom