ESA Graduate Trainee in Space Security, Threat and Geopolitical Analysis

As an ESA Graduate Trainee in Space Security, Threat and Geopolitical Analysis, you will work at the interface between engineering, security analysis and policy.

• Workplace: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands.
• Type of Appointment: ESA Graduate Trainee.
• Directorate: Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity.
• Grade Band: F1 - F1.

Our team and mission

The Directorate of Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity supports Europe's ability to anticipate, withstand and respond to threats affecting satellite navigation and secure connectivity services that underpin everyday life, including transport, energy, health, defence and civil protection. This requires close engagement with European institutions, Member States, industry, academia and international partners to build a coordinated and resilient European space posture.

As Europe's reliance on space systems grows, so does its exposure to cyber attacks, jamming and spoofing of satellite signals, physical interference with ground and space infrastructure, supply-chain dependencies and wider geopolitical tensions. Understanding both the technical characteristics of these threats and their policy and geopolitical context is essential to keep European navigation and connectivity services safe, dependable and resilient.

Under the direct guidance of the Head of the Space Resilience Office, you will work at the interface between engineering, security analysis and policy. You will help the team assess threats to space systems, understand their strategic implications and position resilience activities within Europe's wider security and defence framework. The opportunity is therefore suited to candidates from either a technical or policy background who are motivated to develop a multidisciplinary perspective.

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

You will contribute to security and threat analysis within the Space Resilience Office of the Directorate of Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity. The activities may combine technical assessment with policy and geopolitical analysis.

• Monitor and analyse technical, security, policy and geopolitical developments relevant to European satellite navigation and secure connectivity programmes.
• Support the analysis of threats affecting space systems, including cyber threats, radio-frequency interference, jamming, spoofing and vulnerabilities across space, ground and user segments.
• Contribute to security, risk and resilience assessments of space systems, services and architectures, including the identification of vulnerabilities and potential mitigation measures.
• Track policy, regulatory and strategic developments affecting European space security and resilience activities.
• Support the assessment of security and geopolitical risks associated with international partnerships, critical technologies and supply chains.
• Prepare concise briefings, structured assessments and strategic positioning material for management, governing bodies and stakeholder meetings.
• Maintain a structured repository of open-source information on threats, incidents, technologies and geopolitical developments relevant to the Office's activities.
• Support coordination with other Agency teams and with European institutions, Member States, industry, academia and international partners on security-related matters.

Through this traineeship, you will learn how technical evidence, threat analysis and geopolitical context are combined to support decisions on European space security and resilience. You will also develop skills in multidisciplinary analysis, concise strategic communication and cooperation with technical and institutional stakeholders.

Technical competencies

• Knowledge of relevant technical/functional domains
• Relevant experience gained during internships, project work and/or extracurricular or other activities
• General knowledge of the space sector and relevant activities
• Knowledge of ESA and its programmes/projects

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

You should have just completed, or be in the final year of your master's degree in aerospace engineering, telecommunications engineering, systems engineering, cybersecurity, computer science, security engineering, security studies, international relations, political science, geopolitics or another discipline relevant to the activities described above.

Additional requirements

You should have good analytical, interpersonal and communication skills and be able to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team. You should be able to synthesise complex technical or policy information and communicate it clearly to different audiences.

A genuine interest in space security, resilience, geopolitics and European space affairs is expected. Candidates combining an engineering or technical background with knowledge of, or demonstrated interest in, security policy, international relations or geopolitics are particularly encouraged to apply. Equally, candidates from a policy or international affairs background should demonstrate an interest in developing their understanding of space systems and technical security threats.

Relevant experience gained through university projects, internships, research, extracurricular activities or international teamwork will be considered an asset. Familiarity with open-source research, risk or threat analysis, cybersecurity, satellite communications, navigation systems or European security and defence policy would also be an asset.

Given the nature of the activities, the position may be subject to security clearance and export control requirements.

Important Information and Disclaimer

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

Successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.

Nationality and Languages

Applications can only be considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia, Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).

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.