Internship Opportunity in the Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes.
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, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.
Location Noordwijk
Our team and mission
This position is based at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) - Noordwijk, Netherlands
The Earth and Mission Science Division 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 and Mission 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 the development of new technologies, mission feasibility assessments, calibration/validation and application development.
You will work within the Campaigns Section of the Earth and Mission Science Division, whose role is to provide support throughout the preparation and development of new future Earth Observation missions, and to validate the data being delivered by those satellites already in orbit. Your activities will contribute to and benefit from a diverse and international team of scientists working across a variety of Earth Science disciplines in support of Earth Explorer, Copernicus Sentinels, Earth Watch and other EO missions.
For further information visit our web site: http://www.esa.int
Field(s) of activity for the internship
Topic: Sea surface current retrievals and validation to support Harmony and Seastar
As an intern, you will be involved in the Earth Explorer 10 mission Harmony and Earth Explorer 11 candidate mission Seastar. One of Harmonyโs mission objectives is to improve our understanding of the upper ocean and of interactions between the lower atmosphere and the ocean surface by providing large scale simultaneous measurements of wind, waves, surface currents, sea surface temperature differences and cloud motion vectors. Seastar is dedicated to observing the fast-evolving small-scale ocean surface dynamics in coastal seas, shelf areas and marginal ice zones.
The focus of the internship will be to investigate synergies of both missions regarding sea surface current retrieval and validation. As a starting point, data from different airborne campaigns shall be analysed.
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward ThinkingEducation
You must have student status and be enrolled at university for the entire duration of the internship. You should preferably be in your final or second to last year of a university course at masterโs level in a technical or scientific discipline.
Additional requirements
The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.
Additional Requirements:
- Knowledge and background in active remote sensing and oceanography is an asset
Other information
For behavioural competencies expected from ESA staff in general, please refer to the ESA Competency Framework.
If you require support with your application due to a disability, please email contact.human.resources@esa.int.
Internships can take place remotely, on-site or partially on-site depending on the pandemic situation, and in line with the relevant Establishmentโs policy (e.g. possible Green Pass requirement) applicable at the time of starting the internship.
Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia, as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Cyprus as European Cooperating States (ECS).
- Knowledge and background in active remote sensing and oceanography is an asset