Intern in the Climate Action, Sustainability and Science Department - Applications Section - European Space Agency (Frascati)

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:

• Package the existing deep learning workflow into a streamlined pipeline that generates cocoa maps for selected regions with minimal user intervention
• Test the pipeline with case studies from two cocoa-producing countries, documenting performance and limitations
• Create simple visualisation and reporting tools—such as area statistics, confidence maps, and basic change indicators
• Develop interactive demonstrations on the APEx platform to showcase the tool's capabilities to the broader community
• Prepare clear documentation and a step-by-step user guide for cocoa monitoring agencies

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; must be able to prove enrollment for the entire duration of the internship
• Languages: English, French
• Key skills: Strong programming skills in Python, Experience using geospatial libraries (e.g., rasterio, xarray, GDAL), Large-scale satellite image processing, Time-series analysis, Cloud-based Earth observation workflows, Software packaging, Knowledge of and background in Earth observation, image analysis, and data processing, Familiarity with cloud computing platforms for Earth observation applications

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: Six months (preferred).

Working arrangements: ESRIN, Frascati, Italy.

Hiring unit: Applications Section, Earth Observation Programmes Directorate.

Position details

Reference

1452876933

Last Verified

12 November 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Intern in the Climate Action, Sustainability and Science Department - Applications Section at ESA based in Frascati (Traineeship). The vacancy reference is 1452876933.

Job Requisition ID:21173

Date Posted:1 November 2026

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

Publication Method:External Only

Directorate:Earth Observation Programmes

Location ESRIN, Frascati, Italy

Our team and mission

The Applications Section is primarily engaged in research and development (R&D) for Earth observation-based solutions that address both European and global environmental and development agendas. Our projects typically involve key stakeholders throughout the design, development, and validation phases to ensure that the innovative EO-based solutions are effectively integrated into end-users’ operational systems and practices. The Applications Section, based at the ESRIN site of ESA, comprises several EO experts, each overseeing specific domains where EO data is utilized, including marine, carbon, and agriculture, among others.

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic of the internship: Cocoa from Space: Operationalising Cocoa Monitoring

This internship will build upon a recently developed global cocoa map, currently under review, with open-source code available through ESA. This work provides a 10-metre resolution baseline of this important cash crop worldwide, revealing that nearly two-thirds of global cocoa is grown under agroforestry and that 28–53% of cocoa areas are misclassified as natural forest in existing baselines—a critical challenge for deforestation-free supply chain regulations.

While the scientific algorithm is established, it has not yet been translated into a tool accessible to cocoa technicians, certification bodies, and national agencies. You will bridge this gap by transforming the research workflow into a user-friendly pipeline and developing interactive demonstrations for ESA's Application Propagation Environments (APEx) platform.

Your tasks will include:

- package the existing deep learning workflow into a streamlined pipeline that generates cocoa maps for selected regions with minimal user intervention; - test the pipeline with case studies from two cocoa-producing countries, documenting performance and limitations; - create simple visualisation and reporting tools—such as area statistics, confidence maps, and basic change indicators; - develop interactive demonstrations on the APEx platform to showcase the tool's capabilities to the broader community; - prepare clear documentation and a step-by-step user guide for cocoa monitoring agencies.

Learning objectives:You will gain hands-on experience in large-scale satellite image processing and time-series analysis, cloud-based Earth observation workflows, translating scientific research code into user-facing tools, software packaging, preparing Earth observation applications for community showcase on APEx, and understanding cocoa supply chain policy. You will deliver a working pipeline, user manual, demonstration maps for selected countries, and APEx-ready interactive demonstrations.

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.

Knowledge of and background in Earth observation, image analysis, and data processing are assets. Strong programming skills in Python and experience using geospatial libraries (e.g., rasterio, xarray, GDAL) are highly desirable. Familiarity with cloud computing platforms for Earth observation applications and experience with time-series analysis of satellite data are assets.

The preferred duration for this internship is six months.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 12 November 2026, 1 day ago.

The application deadline is 30 November 2026, 15 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 12 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 Frascati see our Frascati 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.