Intern in the Human Exploration Enabling Science Team, Integrating Dry Immersion and Bed Rest

Join a team advancing human space exploration and astronaut health

Our team and mission

Join a team advancing human space exploration and astronaut health. Our team focuses on science that supports human space exploration, with a particular emphasis on astronaut health. We use a range of research platforms to simulate space conditions, including dry immersion, bed rest, and isolation and confinement environments. We also carry out research directly on board space stations, such as the International Space Station, to study how the human body adapts to life in space.

Our work helps us understand current health challenges astronauts face and contributes to long-term planning for safe and sustainable exploration. At the same time, this research has the potential to deliver valuable benefits on Earth, particularly in areas like elderly care and health management in extreme environments.

Some of our Earth-based studies are run in dedicated research facilities, while others take place in unique settings such as Antarctica or submarines. We also make use of parabolic flights to test medical technologies and investigate how the body responds to rapid changes in gravity. All of these platforms help us explore key medical risks and identify the physiological effects of spaceflight. We work closely with crew medical teams, flight surgeons, and the wider space science community to ensure our research stays relevant to real operational needs and scientific priorities.

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic of the internship: Integrating Dry Immersion and Bed Rest: Comparative Analysis of Physiological Responses for Spaceflight Research

As an intern, you will contribute to research that supports human space exploration by helping to better understand how the human body adapts to space-like conditions on Earth. Your work will focus on data collected during recent dry immersion and bed rest studies, in particular the latest campaign that combined both methods in parallel (Vivaldi III: ESA - Extended space dive).

Your main task will be to help identify the specific contexts (where, when, and how) in which dry immersion can effectively serve as a model for spaceflight-related research. You will work closely with scientific and medical experts to determine which microgravity-induced changes in physiological parameters are best modelled by dry immersion, and which by bed rest, in order to choose the most appropriate modality, duration, and design of simulation (dry immersion alone, bed rest alone, or combined) for a given research objective. This work will help guide the future use of these methods in both science and to support medical operations—contributing to a better understanding of spaceflight effects on the human body, and supporting the testing of countermeasures and innovative health monitoring and diagnostic technologies.

You will work with real study data to compare physiological responses across different platforms. This may include analysing changes in cardiovascular function, muscle strength, body composition, or other health indicators, depending on your area of expertise. You will be encouraged to translate these findings into clear summaries and visuals to support planning and decision-making in future studies and missions.

Through this internship, you will:

• Gain hands-on experience working with human physiology data
• Develop skills in scientific data analysis, presentation, and critical and analytical thinking
• Learn why we need and how analogue studies contribute to preparing for space missions
• Understand how health risks are monitored and managed in space research
• Join an international, interdisciplinary team working at the forefront of space and health science

This internship is ideal for someone with a background or interest in life sciences, medicine, physiology, or health research, and who is curious about how space research can also inform healthcare on Earth.

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.
• You must also have the ability to work independently and communicate effectively in an international team.

The following qualifications are considered assets:

• Knowledge and background in human space physiology, health research, or biomedical science
• Familiarity with research related to spaceflight, extreme environments, or analogue studies
• Experience with data analysis, statistics, or scientific writing

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

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.