Intern in the Future Missions Department - Astrophysics Section of the Prodex Office - 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:

• Work on mission definition for nuANCESTOR with the institute and industrial partners
• Interface with ESA technical experts on various sub-system developments
• Support the monitoring of an industrial activity related to nuANCESTOR

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: Knowledge of astronomical space instrumentation including optics, detectors, thermal and electronics

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: Internship.

Working arrangements: On-site.

Hiring unit: Future Missions Department, Astrophysics and International Collaboration Missions Section (SCI-FEA), PRODEX Office.

Position details

Reference

1452872533

Last Verified

3 November 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Intern in the Future Missions Department - Astrophysics Section of the Prodex Office at ESA based in Noordwijk (Traineeship). The vacancy reference is 1452872533.

Job Requisition ID:20950

Date Posted:1 November 2026

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

Publication Method:External Only

Location ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Our team and mission

The Future Missions Department is responsible for preparing future missions, as well as defining and implementing Small/Fast missions within the Directorate of Science (e.g. SMILE and Comet-Interceptor, ARRAKHIS).

Within Future Missions Department, PRODEX is an optional programme dedicated to the development of scientific instruments and experiments for space science missions. In PRODEX Office, the Astrophysics and International Collaboration Missions Section (SCI-FEA) is responsible for addressing a subset of PRODEX activities, in particular the implementation and monitoring of activities and developments related to astrophysics and fundamental physics science missions (e.g. ATHENA, LISA, SMILE and ARIEL), as well as those involving international external partners, some of them with export control constraints. Developments in other domains of activities handled by the Office may also be entrusted to the section (e.g. Earth observation-related developments).

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

This internship position in PRODEX offers an opportunity to contribute to the preparatory work for nuANCESTOR (frequency ANchor for Cross-calibration of Extreme preciSion asTronOmical spectRographs) mission. This Swiss-led mission uses a space-based Laser Frequency Comb for absolute calibration and cross-calibration of extreme-precision radial velocity ground-based spectrographs. The industrial development for this project has already started in the field of opto-electronics, telescope design and GNSS. As an intern, you will work on the mission definition and will also have the opportunity to get involved in any one or more of these industrial developments based on your education, background and aptitude.

Your role within this project will include the following tasks:

- work on mission definition for nuANCESTOR with the institute and industrial partners; - interface with ESA technical experts on various sub-system developments; - support the monitoring of an industrial activity related to nuANCESTOR.

During the course of this project, you will learn about exoplanet detection and characterisation, astronomical spectroscopy, space optical and opto-electronic instruments design and development, Technological Readiness Levels of space mission and trade-offs involved in the sub-system design for a successful mission.

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 and background in astronomical space instrumentation including optics, detectors, thermal and electronics is an asset.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 3 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 3 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.