Intern in the Science Engagement and Oversight Office - Evolution of Borealis Planitia, Mercury - European Space Agency (Villanueva De La Cañada)

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:

• Investigate the relationship between hollows, pitted ground and their parent smooth plains unit on Mercury
• Use GIS to analyse image and spectral data
• Decipher how pitted ground and hollows may have evolved through time in respect of their spatial distribution
• Work with members of the BepiColombo science team

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, French
• Key skills: GIS competency, Background in geosciences, Familiarity with remote sensing data (useful but not essential), Knowledge of Mercury geology (desired but not essential), Interest in Planetary Sciences, Interest in Scientific Research
• Eligibility: Must be able to prove enrollment at university for the entire duration of the internship

Contract and working arrangements

Working arrangements: On-site at ESAC, Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain.

Hiring unit: Science Engagement and Oversight Office, under D/SCI.

Position details

Reference

1452873333

Last Verified

10 November 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Intern in the Science Engagement and Oversight Office - Evolution of Borealis Planitia, Mercury at ESA based in Villanueva De La Cañada (Traineeship). The vacancy reference is 1452873333.

Job Requisition ID:20953

Date Posted:1 November 2026

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

Publication Method:External Only

Workplace: Villanueva de la Cañada, ES

Location ESAC, Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain

Our team and mission

Under the direct authority of D/SCI, the Head of the Science Engagement and Oversight Office is responsible for overseeing the scientific content of the Programme, interfacing with the scientific community and providing scientific expertise to studies, projects and missions, also in other Directorates as needed.

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic of the internship: Effusive to Explosive to Hollows: Evolution of Borealis Planitia, Mercury

Mercury’s northern hemisphere is home to the planet’s largest contiguous expanse of smooth volcanic plains named ‘Borealis Planitia’. Different areas of this continuous unit, however, look very different with concentrated fields of rough ground, and material intertwining amongst raised topography forming smooth-floored valley-like systems. Whilst an effusive origin is accepted for Borealis Planitia, morphologically and spectrally some areas suggest younger explosive volcanic activity. Further still, hollows — small ‘fresh’ looking landforms — are observed in and around what appears to be rough ground formed by explosive volcanism as well as within the effusively emplaced smooth plains.

This internship will investigate the relationship between hollows, pitted ground and their parent smooth plains unit. You will use GIS to analyse image and spectral data to decipher how pitted ground and hollows may have evolved through time in respect of their spatial distribution.

This work will add to our understanding of the evolution of Mercury’s volcanic material providing valuable context for BepiColombo with MPO and MIO operating in orbit at the time of this internship. Borealis Planitia, particularly the “Vallis” and surrounding areas are of strategic interest to numerous instrument teams and the work undertaken for this internship can help refine targets for the extended phase of the mission.

You will be working directly with members of the BepiColombo science team, affording you the unique opportunity to observe a planetary mission as the science campaign commences.

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.

You should also have:

- a background in geosciences; - competency using GIS; - familiarity with remote sensing data is useful but not essential; - knowledge of Mercury geology is desired, but not essential; - interest in Planetary Sciences; - interest in Scientific Research.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 10 November 2026, today.

The application deadline is 30 November 2026, 19 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 10 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 Villanueva De La Cañada see our Villanueva De La Cañada 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.