Intern in the Science Engagement & Oversight Office, Constraining Io's dynamics via JUICE Astrometry

Our team and mission

Under the direct authority of D/SCI, the Head of the Science Engagement and Oversight Office is responsible for overseeing the scientific content of the Programme, interfacing with the scientific community and providing scientific expertise to studies, projects and missions, also in other Directorates as needed.

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic of the internship: Constraining Io's dynamics with JUICE astrometry

In the coming decade, ESA’s JUICE and NASA’s Europa Clipper missions will explore Jupiter’s icy moons, with the primary goal of characterising their potential habitability. An important objective is to significantly improve our determination of the moons’ orbits, providing essential information on the system’s long-term evolution via a better characterisation of the present orbital configuration, tidal interactions, and tidal heating rate of the moons’ interiors. While the focus of the two missions is on Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto, Io is a very important moon to consider. Io is the closest Galilean moon to Jupiter and, because of the Laplace resonance, is dynamically intricately coupled with Europa and Ganymede. Io is therefore a key driver of the energy exchange between Jupiter and the other moons, shaping the evolution of the Laplace resonance, and thus the evolution of the entire Jovian system.

Tight constraints on the orbits of Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto will primarily come from high-precision radio-science data acquired by JUICE and Europa Clipper during their flybys (and orbital phase for JUICE). With no flybys planned for Io, a significant observational gap is expected that will affect the accuracy and robustness of the orbital solution for the other Galilean moons. Your goal is to carefully review the possibility to improve Io’s orbital solution with the JUICE mission, with emphasis on astrometric imaging. Moreover, a characterisation of measurement accuracy and operation limitations will be included.

You will gain first-hand experience with state-of-the-art simulation capabilities for geodesy parameters and orbit estimations, using the Tudat open-source software developed at Delft University. In addition, you will model a range of astrometric data scenarios and directly evaluate their impact on expected uncertainties for the moons’ orbits. This project offers a unique opportunity to directly contribute to fostering synergies within the JUICE instrument suite and provide concrete recommendations for future science planning. Last but not least, the internship may lead to co-authorship on a publication after the end of the project.

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

• Interest in Solar System dynamics and/or planetary science.
• Background in astrometry, dynamics of natural bodies, and/or orbit determination.
• Programming experience in Python. The project will also offer the possibility to gain and/or improve C++ skills if the trainee so chooses (but C++ experience is neither necessary nor required).
• Previous experience with the Tudat software or estimation tools in general is not required, but would be a plus.
• Good English communication skills (including strong technical writing skills).
• 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.

Important Information and Disclaimer

During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. 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. Applicants from Canada as a Cooperating State can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).