Intern in the Exploration Strategy Office - Strategic Communication Support - 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:

• Strengthen awareness of space exploration and ESA's Human and Robotic Exploration programme among decision-makers, professional communities, and the public
• Translate the directorate's strategy and objectives into a coherent visual identity and brand
• Develop communication content using exploration missions to promote exploration benefits and strategy narrative
• Contribute to initiatives to enlarge evidence base and communicate exploration and socioeconomic, cooperation, political and science benefits
• Design and implement innovative ways to make the directorate's activities more visible and accessible to the public and decision-makers
• Develop communication strategies, campaign concepts, plans, content and briefing materials
• Support preparatory work for communication strategy and plan for ESA's next Council meeting at Ministerial level

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 entire duration of internship
• Languages: English (good kn…), French (good kn…)
• Key skills: Communication sciences, Science communication, Journalism and multimedia

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: Internship.

Working arrangements: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands.

Hiring unit: Exploration Strategy Office, Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes.

Position details

Reference

1452998233

Last Verified

12 November 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Intern in the Exploration Strategy Office - Strategic Communication Support at ESA based in Noordwijk (Traineeship). The vacancy reference is 1452998233.

Job Requisition ID:21130

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

Using a partnership between humans and robots, the Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes (D/HRE) is dedicated to exploring destinations in space where humans are already living and working – or will live and work in the future – for the purpose of scientific research, economic development, international cooperation and public inspiration.

The Exploration Strategy Office shapes the Directorate’s strategy and policy in line with guidance from ESA leadership, Member States and advisory bodies. It defines future directions for exploration in low Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars and beyond, maintains the long-term implementation roadmap, and translates strategic priorities into programme proposals for ESA Council meetings at ministerial level. The Office also develops the Directorate’s benefits plan and leads engagement in international exploration coordination fora. In parallel, it coordinates internal and external communication, manages exhibition assets and visual identities, and acts as the interface with central ESA services on strategy, policy and communication matters.

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

​​Working with the Strategy team, you will help strengthen awareness of space exploration, ESA’s Human and Robotic Exploration programme and its benefits among decision-makers, space and non-space professional communities, and the public. You will contribute to:

- ​translating the directorate’s strategy and objectives into a coherent visual identity and brand; - ​using the running and planned exploration missions (e.g. Astronaut missions, International Space Station, European Service Modules for Orion, Argonaut, Rosalind Franklin Mission) as a teaser to develop communication content to promote the exploration benefits and strategy narrative; - ​initiatives to enlarge the evidence base of and communicate about exploration and socioeconomic, cooperation, political and science benefits; - ​designing and implementing innovative ways to make the directorate’s activities more visible and accessible to the public and decision-makers; - ​developing communication strategies, campaign concepts, plans, content and briefing materials; - ​supporting the preparatory work to set up a communication strategy and plan for ESA's next Council meeting at Ministerial level, including defining objectives, key messages, target audiences and suitable channels.

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.

Specific competence in one of the following disciplines is essential: Communication sciences, Science communication, Journalism and multimedia or similar.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 12 November 2026, today.

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 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.