Intern in the CAVES & PANGAEA Team - Development of the PANGAEA Analytical Toolset - European Space Agency (Porz-Wahn)

About this position

The summary below is published by European Space Agency on the official vacancy notice. Our own analysis — salary realism, comparable openings, career trajectory, language profile — follows further down the page.

Key responsibilities

According to the vacancy notice, the role centres on the following duties:

• Expand, curate and quality-assess multi-spectral archives within the Mineralogical Database, focusing on analytical reference library, validation mineral samples, and petrographic information catalogue of planetary anal…
• Assist in validation of spectral identification methods through expert review of ML outputs
• Support PANGAEA training course development

Are you eligible?

Check these requirements from the notice before investing time in an application:

• Education: University student, preferably in final or second-to-last year of Master's level course, with proof of enrollment for entire internship duration
• Languages: English, French
• Key skills: Utilising, processing, and analysing data from analytical methods and instrumentation, Familiarity with molecular and atomic spectroscopy techniques such as VNIR, Raman, LIBS, and XRF, Ability to evaluate spectral data quality and interpret analytical outcomes, Experience with data architecture, digital information catalogues, databases and scientific data operation pipelines, Practical experience with Python and scientific data processing libraries (NumPy, JAX, Matplotlib, SQLite), Familiarisation with geochemistry, mineralogy and petrology, or courses in planetary geology, astrobiology or planetology

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: Throughout 2027 (starting date to be stated by candidate).

Working arrangements: On-site at EAC, Porz-Wahn, Germany.

Hiring unit: Human and Robotic Exploration Directorate, CAVES and PANGAEA Team.

Position details

Reference

1453000733

Last Verified

11 November 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Intern in the CAVES & PANGAEA Team - Development of the PANGAEA Analytical Toolset at ESA based in Porz-Wahn (Traineeship). The vacancy reference is 1453000733.

Job Requisition ID:21136

Date Posted:1 November 2026

Closing Date:30 November 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication Method:External Only

Directorate:Human and Robotic Exploration

Location EAC, Porz-Wahn, Germany

Our team and mission

The CAVES and PANGAEA team specialises in training programmes that equip astronauts and mission developers with scientific, expeditionary and behavioural skills. The group’s primary output is focused around two training programmes, CAVES, a course that uses natural cave systems for expeditionary and human behavioural and performance training, and PANGAEA, a course for geological and astrobiological field training. Complementary to their training goals, these programmes are used as research and development platforms to advance several of ESA’s technological, scientific and operational areas.

One such tool developed for PANGAEA and future missions is the PANGAEA Analytical Toolset. This comprises the Mineralogical Database (MinDB), a curated collection of information on all the minerals found on the Moon, Mars and in meteorites, and the Machine Learning (ML) software that combines deep learning multi-class and multi-label classification algorithms analysing fused multi-modal spectroscopic measurements, enabling a significant accuracy increase of mineral and rock recognition.

Further information on PANGAEA and CAVES programmes can be found on the following websites:

We are looking for internships to start throughout 2027. Candidates are invited to state their preferred starting date in the cover letter.

Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website:http://www.esa.int

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic of the internship:Data Operations and Data Science, Spectroscopic Analysis, and Planetary Mineralogical Characterisation

​​Interns are sought to contribute to the ongoing expansion, enhancement, and integration of the Mineralogical & Spectroscopic data analysis and curation part of the PANGAEA analytical toolset. Working alongside Machine Learning developers, interns will collect, organise, and evaluate analytical data to ensure training datasets meet scientific standards, while offering subject matter expertise to guide mineral identification algorithms development.

Key responsibilities include:

- ​expanding, curating and quality-assessing multi-spectral archives within the Mineralogical Database, focusing on its analytical reference library, validation mineral samples, and petrographic information catalogue of planetary analogue minerals and rocks; - ​assisting in validation of spectral identification methods through expert review of ML outputs; - ​supporting PANGAEA training course development, where additional opportunities might arise.

​

​For detailed information on this internship position, please click here:https://www.esa.int/About_Us/EAC/Space_training_team_Planetary_Mineral_Database_Development_and_Validation_of_Spectra_Classification_Methods​

Behavioural competencies

Education

You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of university course 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.

Candidates should demonstrate good understanding and practical experience in the following areas:

- utilising, processing, and analysing data from analytical methods and instrumentation. In particular, familiarity with molecular and atomic spectroscopy techniques such as Visible and Near-Infrared (VNIR), Raman, Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) is highly desirable; - ability to evaluate spectral data quality and interpret analytical outcomes to ensure scientific integrity before data integration into the codebase; - experience with data architecture, digital information catalogues, databases and scientific data operation pipelines; - practical experience with Python and scientific data processing, analysis, storage and visualising libraries (e.g. NumPy, JAX, Matplotlib, SQLite); - familiarisation with geochemistry, mineralogy and petrology, or attendance of courses related to planetary geology, astrobiology or planetology would be considered a valuable asset.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 11 November 2026, today.

The application deadline is 30 November 2026, 18 days from today. Late applications are not accepted, so submit through the official EU Careers portal well in advance.

Last verified against the EU Careers feed on 11 November 2026.

Where to learn more

For headcount, mission, and other open vacancies at ESA see the ESA institution page; for the cost of living, correction coefficient, and other postings in Porz-Wahn see our Porz-Wahn location page.

New to EU careers? Our beginner's guide walks through entry routes, EPSO competitions, and what to prepare. For application logistics see application tips and EPSO competitions.