Intern in the Science Operations Department - Mission Management and Science Operations Division - 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 and compare possible approaches for converting the Gaia Main Database (MDB) from GBin into a modern, long-lived data format
• Develop prototype conversion and validation tools/concepts
• Work closely with Gaia mission and data-processing experts at ESAC and across Europe

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 internship duration
• Languages: English (good kn…), French (good kn…)
• Key skills: Solid background in computer science, software engineering, or data science, Good programming skills, preferably in Python, Java or both, Understanding of structured data, data models and serialisation concepts, Experience with scientific data formats or storage technologies such as Parquet, HDF5, Zarr, FITS (desirable), Familiarity with large-scale data processing, distributed computing or database systems (desirable)

Contract and working arrangements

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

Hiring unit: Science Operations Department, Mission Management and Science Operations Division.

Position details

Reference

1452875533

Last Verified

3 November 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Intern in the Science Operations Department - Mission Management and Science Operations Division at ESA based in Villanueva De La Cañada (Traineeship). The vacancy reference is 1452875533.

Job Requisition ID:20958

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: Future-proofing access to Gaia’s treasure trove

Gaia is one of the most scientifically productive space science missions ever undertaken. Its highly successful data releases - DR1, DR2, DR3 and, in December 2026, DR4 - are the most visible products of a complex data processing system involving several major processing centres and expert groups across Europe. These public releases, however, represent only part of Gaia’s scientific data legacy.

At the foundation of the processing system lies the Gaia Main Database (MDB), hosted at one of Gaia’s main data-processing centres at ESAC near Madrid. The MDB contains the basic input and intermediate data used throughout the Gaia processing chain. Its underlying storage format, known as GBin, was developed specifically for the Java-based processing systems. While this solution has served the mission well, it is closely tied to a particular programming language and was not designed primarily with long-term accessibility and preservation in mind.

Following the conclusion of Gaia in 2030, the mission will enter its legacy phase. The MDB is expected to be preserved so that it may remain accessible for future scientific investigations, reprocessing activities and other uses that cannot yet be anticipated. To facilitate such access, it would be desirable to represent the data in a well-supported, programming-language-independent and durable format, such as Parquet, HDF5, Zarr or another suitable technology.

The objective of this internship is to investigate and compare possible approaches for converting the MDB from GBin into a modern, long-lived data format. It is expected that prototype conversion and validation tools/concepts are developed. You will work closely with Gaia mission and data-processing experts at ESAC and across Europe in a technically challenging and collaborative environment.

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:

- solid background in computer science, software engineering, data science; - good programming skills, preferably in Python, Java or both; - understanding of structured data, data models and serialisation concepts.

Desirable:

- experience with scientific data formats or storage technologies such as Parquet, HDF5, Zarr, FITS; - familiarity with large-scale data processing, distributed computing or database systems.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 3 November 2026, 4 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 3 November 2026 (4 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 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.