Intern in the Exploration Science Office - Data Infrastructure

Our team and mission

Internship: Intern in the Exploration Science Office - Data Infrastructure

Within the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Directorate for Human and Robotic Exploration, the Exploration Science activities are a cornerstone of the Explore2040 strategy, driving innovation at the intersection of human exploration and scientific discovery. It integrates exploration-focused science, essential for future missions, with exploration-enabled science, leveraging space for groundbreaking research. With access to ground-based analogues, the International Space Station (ISS), future commercial low Earth orbit (LEO) platforms, the Lunar Gateway, the Moon, and Mars, the programme offers unique opportunities for transformative research in diverse environments. Guided by European values of collaboration, excellence, and responsibility, the programme emphasizes open science, international cooperation, and inspiring future generations. From developing countermeasures for spaceflight to searching for life on Mars, ESA Exploration Science advances knowledge for space and Earth alike.

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Exploration Science activities rely on information about science projects, research teams, organisations, facilities, milestones and scientific outputs. Part of this information is currently distributed across different files and systems, making it difficult to maintain a consistent and authoritative view of ongoing activities and their results.

During this internship, you will contribute to the development of a common data infrastructure for Exploration Science. Working with existing data sources (scientific publications, archiving tools) and user requirements, you will help design and implement reliable ways to structure, integrate, validate and maintain this information. Your work will provide the data foundation for user-facing applications, reporting and future analysis.

Through this internship, you will:

• analyse existing data sources and translate information requirements into a structured data model;
• design and implement a relational database with appropriate data-integrity rules;
• build repeatable processes to migrate, clean and transform existing data;
• develop data pipelines and interfaces for retrieving information from external sources, including scientific publication metadata;
• implement data-quality methods for validation, provenance, deduplication and entity matching;
• create reusable data services for applications and reporting tools;
• test and document the data infrastructure to support long-term maintenance and future development.

You will work closely with colleagues developing user-facing applications that use this common data infrastructure. Through the internship, you will gain practical experience in data architecture, relational database development, application programming interfaces, data quality, scientific information management and the development of maintainable data systems in a multidisciplinary 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.

During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.

A background in computer science, data engineering, software engineering, data science or a related technical discipline would be an asset.

You should have:

• good programming skills, preferably in Python;
• practical knowledge of Structured Query Language, relational databases and data modelling;
• familiarity with application programming interfaces and version control;
• an interest in data quality, data protection and maintainable software.

Experience with data pipelines, machine learning, automated testing, containerisation or scientific data sources would be an additional asset.

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.

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.

• Type of Appointment: Intern
• Workplace: Noordwijk, NL
• Location: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands