Intern in the Future Missions Department - Astrophysics Section of the Prodex Office

The Intern in the Future Missions Department - Astrophysics Section of the Prodex Office position is an Intern appointment.

Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Our team and mission

The Future Missions Department is responsible for preparing future missions, as well as defining and implementing Small/Fast missions within the Directorate of Science (e.g. SMILE and Comet-Interceptor, ARRAKHIS).

Within Future Missions Department, PRODEX is an optional programme dedicated to the development of scientific instruments and experiments for space science missions. In PRODEX Office, the Astrophysics and International Collaboration Missions Section (SCI-FEA) is responsible for addressing a subset of PRODEX activities, in particular the implementation and monitoring of activities and developments related to astrophysics and fundamental physics science missions (e.g. ATHENA, LISA, SMILE and ARIEL), as well as those involving international external partners, some of them with export control constraints. Developments in other domains of activities handled by the Office may also be entrusted to the section (e.g. Earth observation-related developments).

Field(s) of activity for the internship

This internship position in PRODEX offers an opportunity to contribute to the preparatory work for nuANCESTOR (frequency ANchor for Cross-calibration of Extreme preciSion asTronOmical spectRographs) mission. This Swiss-led mission uses a space-based Laser Frequency Comb for absolute calibration and cross-calibration of extreme-precision radial velocity ground-based spectrographs. The industrial development for this project has already started in the field of opto-electronics, telescope design and GNSS. As an intern, you will work on the mission definition and will also have the opportunity to get involved in any one or more of these industrial developments based on your education, background and aptitude.

Your role within this project will include the following tasks:

• work on mission definition for nuANCESTOR with the institute and industrial partners;
• interface with ESA technical experts on various sub-system developments;
• support the monitoring of an industrial activity related to nuANCESTOR.

During the course of this project, you will learn about exoplanet detection and characterisation, astronomical spectroscopy, space optical and opto-electronic instruments design and development, Technological Readiness Levels of space mission and trade-offs involved in the sub-system design for a successful mission.

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 astronomical space instrumentation including optics, detectors, thermal and electronics is an asset.

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.