Intern in the Legal Services Department - Institutional Law Division - European Space Agency (Paris)

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:

• Carry out legal research and analysis on public international law, including European Union law, and relevant national laws
• Prepare and contribute to drafting, review and processing of legal instruments (agreements, memoranda, etc.) and other documents
• Monitor and review developments in international law, including evolution of legal doctrine and its practical application in international organisations
• Contribute to the Department's daily operations by supporting the work of legal officers

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: Legal research and analysis, Legal drafting, Document review and processing

Contract and working arrangements

Working arrangements: ESA Headquarters, Paris, France.

Hiring unit: Legal Services Department, Institutional Law Division.

Position details

Reference

1452870133

Last Verified

5 November 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Intern in the Legal Services Department - Institutional Law Division at ESA based in Paris (Traineeship). The vacancy reference is 1452870133.

Job Requisition ID:20964

Date Posted:1 November 2026

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

Publication Method:External Only

Directorate:Strategy, Legal and External Matters

Location ESA Headquarters, Paris, France

Our team and mission

The European Space Agency is an international organisation and the European gateway to space. Together with its Member States, the Agency expands the boundaries of discovery and exploration and provides space applications for the benefit of citizens on Earth.

The Legal Services Department provides the full range of legal services across ESA’s programmes and legal disciplines, such as public international law, European law and the national law of ESA’s Member States.

The Legal Services Department provides authoritative legal advice to the Director General, the Directorates, but also to Council and other organs of the Agency, to achieve the objectives set out in the ESA Convention. As such the Legal Services Department participates in the decision making among Member States, formulating legal opinions and bringing new ideas to formalise space policies and programmes in Europe. You will be part of a team of highly motivated, skilled lawyers working in an inspirational, interdisciplinary and multicultural environment.

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

You will support the Institutional Law Division on legal matters relating to the governance and functioning of an international organisation. Topics may include:

- the institutional framework and decision-making procedures of the European Space Agency, including the work of its Council and subordinate bodies; - the interpretation and application of the Agency’s internal rules, policies and legal instruments; - legal questions concerning the status, privileges and immunities of an international organisation; - the interaction between public international law, European Union law and the national laws of Member States; - legal research, analysis and drafting in support of the Division’s advisory work.

Through these activities, you will gain practical knowledge of institutional law and strengthen your legal research, analytical and drafting skills.

As an intern, you will have the following tasks:

- carry out legal research and analysis on public international law, including European Union law, and the relevant national laws of the jurisdictions in which the Agency operates; - prepare and contribute to the drafting, review and processing of a variety of legal instruments (agreements, memoranda, etc.) and other documents; - monitor and review developments in international law, including the evolution of legal doctrine and its practical application in international organisations; - contribute to the Department’s daily operations by supporting the work of legal officers.

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 public international law, including European Union law, and the relevant national laws of the jurisdictions in which the Agency operates, demonstrated through both study and experience, are an asset.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 4 November 2026, 3 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 Paris see our Paris 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.