Intern in the Elecrical Department - Space Environments and Effects Section - European Space Agency (Noordwijk)

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:

• Support team work on numerical modelling of variability of near surface environments (plasma, transported dust and regolith behavior) along the Lunar orbit
• Model interactions between near surface environments and systems of interest in the context of missions under study
• Learn basic physics associated with processes at play
• Run simulations using state-of-the-art diagnostic software tools
• Generalize applicability of approach to other airless bodies of interest for ESA science and exploration programmes

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 (good kn…), French (good kn…)
• Key skills: Numerical modelling, Physics knowledge, Simulation software tools
• Eligibility: Must be enrolled at university for the entire duration of the internship

Selection process

The notice describes the following selection steps:

• Interview to explore motivation for applying to the role

Contract and working arrangements

Working arrangements: On-site, ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands.

Hiring unit: Space Environments and Effects Section (TEC-EPS), Technology, Engineering and Quality Directorate.

Position details

Reference

1452881433

Last Verified

2 November 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Intern in the Elecrical Department - Space Environments and Effects Section at ESA based in Noordwijk (Traineeship). The vacancy reference is 1452881433.

Job Requisition ID:21031

Date Posted:1 November 2026

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

Publication Method:External Only

Directorate:Technology, Engineering and Quality

Location ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Our team and mission

The Space Environments and Effects Section (TEC-EPS) supports the development of ESA missions and programmes by investigating the space environments within which they will operate, assessing likely effects and defining mitigation methods. Environments addressed include high-energy radiation from radiation belts; solar particle events and cosmic rays; plasmas encountered in planetary magnetospheres; the solar wind and artificially generated charges and fields on spacecraft; micro-meteoroids and non trackable debris; planetary and lunar dust; and planetary atmospheres. The Section also initiates and manages a wide range of related modelling, software and hardware R&D activities.

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

With an increasing worldwide interest in Lunar Exploration, ESA is engaged in the study of several surface missions, including major undertakings such as the Argonaut mission and the deployment of surface payloads, planned to operate from 2030 on. In this context, mission preparation relies on meaningful evaluation of the detrimental effects of the near surface environment on surface assets, as well as impact on payloads response, including near surface plasma and lunar dust.

The internship will focus on supporting the team work on numerical modelling of the variability of near surface environments (plasma, transported dust and regolith behavior) along the Lunar orbit and their interactions with systems of interest, in the context of missions currently under study. You are expected to learn the basic physics associated with the processes at play and run simulations using state-of-the-art diagnostic software tools used in the Agency, Academia and Industry. Applicability of the approach is expected to be generalised to other airless bodies of interest for ESA science and exploration programmes.

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.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 2 November 2026, today.

The application deadline is 30 November 2026, 26 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 2 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 Noordwijk see our Noordwijk 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.