Intern in the Climate Action, Sustainability and Science Department - Forest Applications - 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:

• Develop forest carbon and structural/functional biodiversity indicators for protected areas using BIOMASS mission data and other EO missions
• Map land cover and land cover change within protected boundaries using long-term EO time series
• Evaluate ecosystem condition by tracking vegetation health, fragmentation, or recovery after disturbance
• Summarise key findings to inform international/national policies aimed at forest conservation
• Design and prepare materials for conferences/meetings held at ESRIN
• Participate in project meetings and assist in review of ESA project reports
• Participate in inter-section meetings and co-develop research ideas and agendas

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
• Languages: English, French
• Key skills: Earth Observation for land cover mapping and multi-temporal satellite data processing, Strong programming skills (e.g. R, Python) including geospatial data processing, Machine learning and deep learning for image and time series analysis, Experience with cloud or high performance computing environments, Ability to communicate results clearly in writing and presentations, Ability to collaborate effectively with international partners
• Eligibility: Must be enrolled at university for the entire duration of the internship

Contract and working arrangements

Working arrangements: ESRIN, Frascati, Italy.

Hiring unit: Earth Observation Programmes, Applications Section, Green Solutions Division.

Position details

Reference

1452877233

Last Verified

12 November 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Intern in the Climate Action, Sustainability and Science Department - Forest Applications at ESA based in Frascati (Traineeship). The vacancy reference is 1452877233.

Job Requisition ID:21174

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.

The typical projects of the EOP-SGA Section involve key stakeholders throughout the co-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 utilised, including marine, carbon, and agriculture, among others.

Some of the activities are presented here: eo4society - eo science for society.

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic of the internship: Forest Applications

1) Your first core task will involve a research-based exercise:

About 21% of the world’s forest area is currently designated under legal protection. These forests are highly valuable for carbon storage and sustaining biodiversity. However, high annual rates of tree cover loss continue to this day, with impacts both on forest carbon stocks and their biodiversity. It therefore remains difficult to assess how effective protected area designation is as a forest conservation tool. The legal status of a protected area does not automatically mean that active protection is being implemented, particularly in regions with limited financial resources for conservation.

ESA’s Sentinel missions are widely used to monitor forests by providing frequent, consistent, and freely available satellite data on forests. In April 2025, ESA also launched the BIOMASS mission with a novel P-band synthetic aperture radar designed to deliver crucial information about forest conditions, changes, and their role in the carbon cycle.

You will utilise BIOMASS mission data in synergy with several other EO missions (particularly the Sentinels) to achieve the following:

- develop forest (a) carbon and (b) structural/functional biodiversity indicators for protected areas; - map land cover and land cover change within protected boundaries using long-term EO time series, comparing trends inside protected areas with surrounding unprotected lands; - evaluate ecosystem condition, for example by tracking vegetation health, fragmentation, or recovery after disturbance; - summarise key findings that will concisely and accurately inform international/national policies aimed at forest conservation.

2) Your second task will involve support activities to the Applications Section of EOP, Green Solutions Division. These tasks are aimed at developing management skills and soft skills, supporting the overall career development of the candidate. Some activities include:

- design and preparation of materials for conferences/meetings held at ESRIN; - participation in project meetings, assisting in review of ESA project reports; - participation in inter-section meetings (e.g. with ESA PhiLab), co-development of research ideas and agendas.

You will utilise ESA-supported cloud computing platforms for conducting your research. By the end of the internship, you will demonstrate practical experience in scalable Earth Observation processing, applied analytical methods for land monitoring, product validation and uncertainty assessment, and stakeholder-driven development in an international setting. You will also develop a broader understanding of how EO-derived forest information supports international policy and reporting frameworks.

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.

In addition to the standard requirements in the form, the following would be considered an asset:

- experience with Earth Observation for land cover mapping and multi temporal satellite data processing; familiarity with forest ecosystems is an asset; - strong programming skills (e.g. R, Python), including geospatial data processing; - knowledge of machine learning and deep learning for image and time series analysis; - experience with cloud or high performance computing environments; - ability to communicate results clearly in writing and presentations and to collaborate effectively with international partners.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 11 November 2026, 1 day ago.

The application deadline is 30 November 2026, 16 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.