Intern in the Software & Artificial Intelligence Team, Future Initiatives

Join ESA’s Software & Artificial Intelligence Team, Future Initiatives, as an intern within the Human and Robotic Exploration directorate.

Our team and mission

HRE-FI mission is to advance digital and AI-driven capabilities for human and robotic exploration across all destinations, from low Earth orbit to Mars. Its activities focus on four pillars: Artificial Intelligence, Extended Reality, IoT & Robotics, and Quantum Technologies, supported by robust data governance. Key initiatives include AI-enabled mission planning, immersive XR training, predictive maintenance, and digital continuity. The environment is highly collaborative, combining ESA experts, industry partners, and research institutions, fostering innovation through labs and pilot projects. HRE-FI operates within a dynamic, multidisciplinary setting, integrating cutting-edge technologies to enhance operational efficiency, astronaut support, and future mission readiness.

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic of the internship: Data Management and AI Readiness Internship in Space Exploration

Under the supervision of the HRE Data Lab Lead, you will:

• perform exploratory data analysis and metadata tagging on heterogeneous datasets from past and current missions (e.g. spacecraft telemetry, experiment results, technical reports, 3D models);
• support the cataloguing and profiling of data assets, identifying how they are structured, where they are stored, and how they can be accessed;
• help design a data categorisation and governance model, aligned with international standards such as FAIR principles;
• contribute to the development of automated workflows for metadata enrichment and data organisation;
• assess the potential of datasets for future AI/ML exploitation and digital twin applications;
• support the implementation of recommendations from ESA’s ongoing AI study, particularly those related to data infrastructure and readiness;
• collaborate with colleagues across engineering, science, and IT to ensure consistency and avoid duplication;
• (optional stretch task) develop small prototypes (e.g. scripts for automatic tagging, clustering, or text search) to demonstrate how data could be prepared for AI.

Learning Outcomes

During this internship you will:

• gain insight into space mission data and documentation and the challenges of managing them;
• acquire hands-on experience in data wrangling, metadata design, and governance;
• learn how to prepare real datasets for AI/ML training, analytics, and simulation workflows;
• understand the role of data engineering in enabling digital twins, AI agents, and decision support;
• work in an international and interdisciplinary team, engaging with experts in engineering, science, and IT.

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

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.

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.

Knowledge and background in data science, data management standards, computer science, information engineering, or a related field is an asset. Experience with Python (pandas, numpy, Jupyter), SQL, or similar data handling tools is desirable.

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.

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.