ESA Graduate Trainee in Commercialisation

Our team and mission

Working within the Commercialisation department, the Ventures and Financing team aims at supporting European space start-ups that have managed to demonstrate their technologies and are ready to develop and grow commercially. On the ventures side, the team manages the ScaleUp INVEST programme which includes working closely with industry and ESA Member States to promote commercial growth for key B2B deals, as well as manage the ESA Biz Accelerator programme. Furthermore, the team supports pre-commercial ESA programmes to identify and promote promising projects and start-ups. On the investment side, and through the ESA Investor Network, we facilitate expertise exchange between ESA and investors. Overall, the goal is three-fold: supporting investors in making informed investment decisions; helping them to fundraise and ensure we have large enough investment funds capable to support companies throughout their investment lifecycle; and matching public and private financial efforts supporting portfolio companies. Furthermore, strong collaboration with the European Commission (through Cassini), the European Investment Bank and European Investment Fund, as well as EUSPA, ensure alignment and leveraging of public support mechanisms for both investors and companies and identify future needs.

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

As an ESA Graduate Trainee, you will support the Head of Ventures and Financing Office within the Commercialisation Department. Your work will involve continuously looking for innovative new ways to develop financing tools aimed at supporting companies with significant growth potential that develop ready-to-market, innovative solutions relying on existing space assets and technologies (satellite telecommunications, satellite navigation, Earth observation and others). These financing tools can combine existing funding and financial mechanisms, or propose alternative ways of funding altogether. In particular, you will help to identify and exploit funding mechanisms from both institutional investors (EU, national, regional, etc.) and the private sector, ranging from early-stage to early growth capital. These may include classic equity or debt, but also alternative financing methods. Furthermore, you will support the assessment of industrial proposals/business plan concerning the business and commercialisation aspects across the Agency and the establishment of collaborations with promising start-ups and scale-up ventures across activities/programmes in the whole Agency together with relative ESA directorate representatives.

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

Additional requirements

You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team. Previous experience of working in international teams can be considered an asset. Your motivation, overall professional perspective and career goals will also be explored during the later stages of the selection process.

Certification such as CFA (Certified Financial Analyst) or IMC (Investment Management Certificate) will be considered an asset. Good proficiency in Power BI is also a welcome competence (including the ability to create and interpret data visualisations, develop interactive dashboards, and perform basic data transformations using Power Query and DAX).

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness
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.

Important Information and Disclaimer

During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, 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.

The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.