ESA Graduate Trainee in Human Biology Wet Laboratory Support for Wound Healing Research

Our team and mission

Within the European Space Agency’s (ESA) 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's stressors to searching for life on Mars, ESA Exploration Science advances knowledge for space and Earth alike.

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

You will support laboratory activities for a wound healing tissue model experiment. You will help prepare materials and reagents, set up and maintain sterile mammalian cell culture, and assist with the assembly of tissue model samples used to study tissue repair.

You will contribute to experimental execution, including routine culture maintenance, sample collection at defined time points, basic staining procedures, and microscopy-based imaging for qualitative and quantitative assessment.

You will be involved in documenting procedures and results in a clear and traceable way, organising raw data, and supporting the preparation of short summaries for internal reporting. You will also participate in troubleshooting and in the optimisation of workflows to improve repeatability and robustness of the experimental process.

Learning objectives include:

• Gaining hands-on experience with sterile laboratory practices
• Understanding how tissue model experiments are planned, executed and documented
• Improving skills in experimental rigour and data handling
• Working effectively within a multidisciplinary and multicultural team

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 Biology/Biotechnology/Bioengineering or related fields.

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.

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

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.