Intern in the Utilisation & Enabled Science Team-Modelling Subsurface CO₂ & Methane Hydrates on Mars

Within the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Directorate for Human and Robotic Exploration, the role is Intern in the Utilisation & Enabled Science Team-Modelling Subsurface CO₂ & Methane Hydrates on Mars.

Our team and mission

The Exploration Science activities are a cornerstone of the Explore2040 strategy, driving innovation at the intersection of human exploration and scientific discovery. HRE-SU (Utilisation and Enabled Science) team at ESA coordinates the Agency’s research activities in physical sciences and biology under microgravity conditions and for space exploration. Using platforms like the International Space Station, as well as Moon and Mars missions, the team supports a wide range of cutting-edge research—from Earth atmospheric studies and quantum sensors to heat transfer phenomena, soft matter, and advanced materials processing.

• Location: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands.
• Type of appointment: Intern.

Field(s) of activity for the internship

The Martian subsurface is believed to contain significant reservoirs of water ice and volatile-rich phases such as carbon dioxide and methane hydrates. Understanding the formation, stability and dissociation of these reservoirs is important for planetary science and for future in-situ resource utilisation concepts.

During the internship, you will contribute to the development of numerical models of coupled thermal and fluid processes governing hydrate formation and dissociation in the Martian subsurface, using the Delft Advanced Research Terra Simulator (DARTS) and supporting numerical tools.

Your activities will be:

• review the current scientific literature on carbon dioxide and methane hydrates under Martian conditions;
• implement and adapt numerical models describing hydrate formation, dissociation and volatile transport in porous media;
• perform simulation campaigns to investigate the influence of temperature, pressure, soil properties and climate conditions on hydrate stability;
• analyse and interpret modelling results and compare them with existing studies and observational constraints;
• contribute to the preparation of technical reports and scientific presentations.

Learning objectives

Through this internship, you will gain practical experience in:

• numerical modelling of coupled thermo-hydraulic processes in planetary environments;
• thermodynamics, fluid transport and phase-change processes in porous media;
• scientific data analysis, interpretation and communication of results;
• conducting research within an international space science environment.

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of university course 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 the following topics is an asset:

• strong knowledge and experience of modelling tool (Matlab, Python);
• knowledge of fluid dynamics and thermodynamics (energy, exergy, enthalpy).

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

Nationality

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.