Intern in the Exploration Science Office - Data Infrastructure - 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:

• Analyse existing data sources and translate information requirements into a structured data model
• Design and implement a relational database with appropriate data-integrity rules
• Build repeatable processes to migrate, clean and transform existing data
• Develop data pipelines and interfaces for retrieving information from external sources, including scientific publication metadata
• Implement data-quality methods for validation, provenance, deduplication and entity matching
• Create reusable data services for applications and reporting tools
• Test and document the data infrastructure to support long-term maintenance and future 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 (good kn…), French (good kn…)
• Key skills: Good programming skills, preferably in Python, Practical knowledge of Structured Query Language, relational databases and data modelling, Familiarity with application programming interfaces and version control, Interest in data quality, data protection and maintainable software

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: Internship.

Working arrangements: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands.

Hiring unit: Directorate for Human and Robotic Exploration, Exploration Science Office.

Position details

Reference

1452988233

Last Verified

5 November 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Intern in the Exploration Science Office - Data Infrastructure at ESA based in Noordwijk (Traineeship). The vacancy reference is 1452988233.

Job Requisition ID:21117

Date Posted:1 November 2026

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

Publication Method:External Only

Directorate:Human and Robotic Exploration

Location ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Our team and mission

Within the European Space Agency (ESA)’s 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 International Space Station (ISS), future commercial low Earth orbit (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 to searching for life on Mars, ESA Exploration Science advances knowledge for space and Earth alike.

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

​​Exploration Science activities rely on information about science projects, research teams, organisations, facilities, milestones and scientific outputs. Part of this information is currently distributed across different files and systems, making it difficult to maintain a consistent and authoritative view of ongoing activities and their results.

​

​During this internship, you will contribute to the development of a common data infrastructure for Exploration Science. Working with existing data sources (scientific publications, archiving tools) and user requirements, you will help design and implement reliable ways to structure, integrate, validate and maintain this information. Your work will provide the data foundation for user-facing applications, reporting and future analysis.

​Through this internship, you will:

- ​analyse existing data sources and translate information requirements into a structured data model; - ​design and implement a relational database with appropriate data-integrity rules; - ​build repeatable processes to migrate, clean and transform existing data; - ​develop data pipelines and interfaces for retrieving information from external sources, including scientific publication metadata; - ​implement data-quality methods for validation, provenance, deduplication and entity matching; - ​create reusable data services for applications and reporting tools; - ​test and document the data infrastructure to support long-term maintenance and future development.

​You will work closely with colleagues developing user-facing applications that use this common data infrastructure. Through the internship, you will gain practical experience in data architecture, relational database development, application programming interfaces, data quality, scientific information management and the development of maintainable data systems in a multidisciplinary environment.​

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.

A background in computer science, data engineering, software engineering, data science or a related technical discipline would be an asset.

You should have:

- good programming skills, preferably in Python; - practical knowledge of Structured Query Language, relational databases and data modelling; - familiarity with application programming interfaces and version control; - an interest in data quality, data protection and maintainable software.

Experience with data pipelines, machine learning, automated testing, containerisation or scientific data sources would be an additional asset.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 5 November 2026, 2 days ago.

The application deadline is 30 November 2026, 21 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 5 November 2026 (2 days ago).

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.