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This position is based at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) - Noordwijk, Netherlands. The Power Management and Distribution Section provides functional support to ESA projects and carries out technological research (R&D) in the fields of power management and distribution for space applications, whether primary or secondary, platform or payload. In particular, the section covers:
You can choose between the following topics:
1) Topic 1: Digital control of DC/DC converters
This topic will be hosted in the Power Management and Distribution section in the TEC-EP Division. An FPGA will be used to design a control system for a DC/DC converter. The idea is to implement innovative control and monitoring systems, like peak and valley current mode, stability monitoring, failure prediction, etc. The topic involves practical work in the laboratory building a DC/DC converter and programming the control system in an FPGA.
2) Topic 2: Design process of DC/DC converters with Python
This topic will be hosted in the Power Management and Distribution section in the TEC-EP Division. The design process of a DC/DC converter includes the selection of the topology, selection of semiconductors and losses calculation, design of the magnetic components, and the control system. It is a long process involving multiple topics. Python will be used to implement this design process in order to obtain a detailed converter model. For some of the steps of the process, FEMM, a finite element analysis tool, will be called from Python to complement the analysis.
3) Topic 3: Space power system simulation
This topic is related to the overall power system, exploring various topologies and performing trade-offs to assess which is the best option for a given mission. In this task, the power budget, the system architecture, and the orbit impact will be studied. This role is mainly based on the use of system-level simulators.
For more information, please refer to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook.
You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of a university course at Master's level, and you need to remain enrolled at your university for the entire duration of the internship.
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.
The topics require educational knowledge, such as:
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability, or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.
At the Agency, we value diversity, and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via email at contact.human.resources@esa.int.
Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, and Slovenia, as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia, and Cyprus as European Cooperating States (ECS).
The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
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