Intern in the Exploration Science Activities

Internship Opportunity in Exploration Science Activities

Our team and mission

Within the European Space Agency’s (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 ISS, future commercial 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

Topic of the internship: Assessing computation of doses and limits for radiobiological protection

ESA’s Explore 2040 strategy includes multiple destinations taking explorers from low-Earth orbit, to the Moon and ultimately to Mars with a goal to have European astronauts exploring the Martian surface in the 2040s.

The space radiation environment is one of the key threats to health and performance of space travellers, and this becomes more prevalent for future space missions going beyond low-Earth orbit, with potentially far longer duration and without the opportunity for fast return in case such threats are realised. Therefore, radiation is a component of exploration-focused science themes covering research necessary to enable future exploration missions.

Radiation science in service of exploration spans from understanding and prediction of the radiation environment in space, to the transport of radiation through planetary atmospheres and magnetic fields, spacecraft structures, equipment, and biological systems. For radiobiological effects, the computation of doses in organs within the human body and the assessment of detrimental effects are made, leading to an estimation of the risk that radiation poses.

The primary deep space environment is comprised of Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCRs) of very high energy particle radiation originating from outside the solar system and Solar Energetic Particles (SEPs) arriving in storms of particles with high fluxes which are challenging to forecast. This radiation field is then modified locally with attenuation of primary particles and the production of secondary radiation. The energy deposited by this radiation within the human body poses various threats to humans in space including radiation sickness, cardiovascular damage, impact on the central nervous system, and carcinogenic risk.

This internship will include a review of the possible impacts of radiation on human physiology, and radiation dose quantities applied to the in-space radiological protection of astronauts. This will begin with a review of documentation from the International Commission on Radiation Protection (ICRP) related to space. The internship will evaluate the tools available for computing dose quantities, their usability and ease of application, and their adequacy in terms of assessing the biological risk. It will incorporate simulations making use of tools which embed radiation transport for the computation of doses within spacecraft structures in free space, on the lunar surface, and on the Martian surface.

You will also support the definition of a radiation science roadmap to enable ESA to meet its goals and obligations with respect to future exploration.

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

You must be a university student, preferably studying 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.
• Knowledge and background in radiation physics is an asset.

Important Information and Disclaimer

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

Nationality

Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, 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.