ESA Graduate Trainee in Thermal Analysis and Verification

Join ESA as an ESA Graduate Trainee in Thermal Analysis and Verification within the Thermal Analysis & Verification Section, Thermal Division (Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality), based at ESTEC (Noordwijk, Netherlands).

Our team and mission

The Thermal Division is the centre of competence of the Agency in all areas related to thermal engineering, covering development (R&D), design and verification. Within this frame, the Thermal Control Section is in charge of all thermal control aspects for the support to projects and the development of thermal hardware technologies, and the Thermal Analysis & Verification Section is the focal point for analysis methodologies, software tools and experimental/test services executed in the Mechanical Systems Laboratory.

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

Thermal Design & Analysis

• Perform thermal design and associated analysis, including steady state/transient analyses of instruments and satellites following familiarization with project requirements and Agency tools (ESATAN-TMS).
• This may also include in-flight correlation of thermal analysis models for ESA projects.

Thermal Analysis methods

• Research and development in the area of computational methods for space thermal analysis or multi-disciplinary analysis, for example:
• Methods and tools for exchange of thermal analysis data with other disciplines such as structures (e.g. development of SINAS).
• Co-simulation of thermal analysis models with other domains such as power or fluidics.
• Next generation methods for radiative, fluidic or thermal analysis.
• Methods for improved tool-to-tool data exchange within the thermal domain (development of STEP-TAS).

Analysis methods in support of testing activities

• Real time model correlation or identification of discrepancies between model and test data.
• Analysis methods for new test instrumentation such as infra-red cameras.
• Data fusion of thermal analysis and test data.
• Modelling of gas convection for cleanroom testing.

Mechanical Systems Laboratory

• Participation in the testing activities of the laboratory including evaluation of test data.
• Participate to the development and acceptance of new test facilities, e.g. thermal cycling, Coefficient of Thermal Expansion.

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

Education

You should have just completed, or be in the final year of your master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Physics.

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.

Important Information and Disclaimer

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.

Nationality and Languages

Please note that applications can only be considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).

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.