Intern in the Science Operations Department - Discovering Astronomical Anomalies with AnomalyMatch - 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:

• Adapt AnomalyMatch machine-learning methodology and software for spectra and/or light curves
• Validate the resulting approach on real astronomical datasets
• Explore combining measurements from different telescopes or instruments for anomaly discovery

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: Strong Python programming skills, Background in machine learning and neural networks, Experience with PyTorch or similar deep-learning framework, Familiarity with astronomical spectra, light curves, or scientific data analysis (advantageous)
• Eligibility: Must be enrolled 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 Operations Department (SCI-S), under D/SCI.

Position details

Reference

1452874433

Last Verified

3 November 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Intern in the Science Operations Department - Discovering Astronomical Anomalies with AnomalyMatch at ESA based in Villanueva De La Cañada (Traineeship). The vacancy reference is 1452874433.

Job Requisition ID:20956

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 Operations Department is responsible for the development of the science operations infrastructure under the Directorate responsibility, the operation of the Directorate’s missions once successfully commissioned, and the curation of all scientific data in the missions’ legacy phase. These responsibilities are discharged in full coordination with the Directorate’s Departments and Offices and as appropriate, with the Directorate of Operations (D/OPS).

In implementing their duties, SCI-S is supported by the:

- Mission Management and Science Operations Division (SCI-SO); - Science Operations Development Division (SCI-SD); - Data Science and Archives Division (SCI-SA).

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic of the internship: Beyond Images: Discovering Astronomical Anomalies in Light Curves and Spectra with AnomalyMatch.

Astronomical archives contain vast collections of spectra and light curves that may hide rare objects, unusual variability, and unexpected physical phenomena. This project will extend AnomalyMatch, a semi-supervised and active-learning framework for finding scientifically interesting anomalies from only a few labelled examples, to support such one-dimensional data.

AnomalyMatch recently received global press attention after discovering hundreds of previously unknown anomalies in the Hubble archive and has demonstrated the capacity to trawl hundreds of millions of astronomical cutouts. It is also integrated into ESA Datalabs, allowing researchers to apply the tool directly to large astronomical datasets and scalable computing resources.

So far, AnomalyMatch has been limited to image data. You will adapt its machine-learning methodology and software for spectra and/or light curves and validate the resulting approach on real astronomical datasets. The project may also explore combining measurements from different telescopes or instruments, opening new possibilities for discovering objects that appear ordinary in one dataset but unusual when multiple observations are considered together.

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:

- strong Python programming skills; - background in machine learning and neural networks; - experience with PyTorch or a similar deep-learning framework; - familiarity with astronomical spectra, light curves, or scientific data analysis would be advantageous.

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 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.