ESA Graduate Trainee in Earth Observation Mission Concept Development

Join ESA as a Graduate Trainee in Earth Observation Mission Concept Development.

Our team and mission

The Earth and Mission Science Division, of the Climate Action, Sustainability and Science Department, Earth Observation Programmes Directorate, is based at the European Space Research and Technology Centre. The Earth and Mission Science Division provides the creative vision for innovation and new discoveries in Earth system science, using Earth Observation (EO) in close cooperation with the scientific community.

The Earth and Mission Science Division team:

• Bridges science and technology by translating ideas and concepts into technical reality and scientific success. It does this by defining, consolidating and managing scientific mission requirements throughout all phases of a mission, and by measuring the maturity of the resulting mission concept.
• Manages scientific research-based studies, providing the scientific foundation for mission concepts and approval, supports the successful development of space and ground segment, in-orbit satellite commissioning and in-orbit scientific achievements.
• Undertakes airborne, marine and terrestrial campaigns contributing the development of new technologies, mission feasibility assessments, calibration/validation and application development.

You will work within the Earth Surfaces and Interior Section or the Atmospheric Section of the Earth and Mission Science Division, whose role is to provide broad science support throughout the preparation and development of Earth Observation missions. Your activities will contribute to and benefit from a diverse and international team of scientists working across a variety of Earth Science disciplines.

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

In the framework of EOP’s 12th cycle of Earth Explorer missions (EE12), two candidate missions among four missions – CryoRad, ECO, Hydroterra+ and Keystone – will be down-selected for Phase A feasibility studies by ESA Member States after the July 2026 User Consultation Meeting. You will join one of the selected missions team to support the scientific definition and performance evaluation of the mission, in view of working towards maximising its scientific output, and contributing towards the preparation of the feasibility assessment and final mission selection process scheduled for summer 2028.

You will work on the theory and testing of one of the mission’s performance, including the simulation of signals observed by the spacecraft, the generation of instrument data streams, and their processing into scientific products to be distributed to scientific users. You may also compare such data to similar output produced by other simulators or experimental airborne campaigns. You will produce and analyse output that contributes towards the preparation of the Report for Mission Selection.

You may further assist in other mission science and promotion tasks, including interacting with the scientific community and the mission team, supporting workshop and meeting preparation, as well as mission communication, visualisation, and public outreach.

You will become acquainted with the competitive process behind the definition and maturation of ESA Earth Observation research mission concepts through to their selection for mission implementation and learn about the technical and scientific approaches to mission performance and feasibility assessment.

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 Physics, Geophysics, Geoscience or a relevant scientific/engineering subject.

Additional requirements

Demonstrated experience in using Python is an asset.

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.

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.