Intern in the Space Safety Programme Coordination Office - 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:

• Support the Head of the Space Safety Programme Coordination Office
• Prepare reports, briefs, background material and presentations
• Support coordinators' interactions with the Agency, ESA Member States and partners
• Involve in operations of Strategic Space Safety Initiatives
• Support activities related to the Zero Debris Charter and space weather services

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: Report writing, Presentation preparation, Communication
• Eligibility: Must be enrolled at university for the entire duration of the internship

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: Six months preferred.

Working arrangements: On-site at ESA Headquarters, Paris, France.

Hiring unit: Space Safety Programme Coordination Office (OPS-SX).

Position details

Reference

1452799133

Last Verified

2 November 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Intern in the Space Safety Programme Coordination Office at ESA based in Paris (Traineeship). The vacancy reference is 1452799133.

Job Requisition ID:21077

Date Posted:1 November 2026

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

Publication Method:External Only

Location ESA Headquarters, Paris, France

Our team and mission

The ESA Space Safety Department takes care of all potential hazards and threats from space or in space, which can impact human activities, infrastructure, or related applications. The spectrum of tasks ranges from gathering the basic understanding of space hazards originating from our Sun, from human space debris, or from asteroids potentially colliding with the Earth. It also addresses basic approaches to mitigate these hazards and to implement space systems end-to-end in a sustainable and eco-compatible way. Moreover, several corner stone missions are underway to demonstrate basic methods of space weather forecasting, asteroid deflection and active space debris removal from orbit.

In execution of these tasks, the Space Safety Department has the following entities:

- Mission Implementation Division (OPS-SM); - COSMIC Project Management Office (OPS-SC); - Space Weather Office (OPS-SW); - Planetary Defence Office (OPS-SP); - Space Debris Office (OPS-SD); - Clean Space & Circular Economy Office (OPS-SY); - Frequency Management Office (OPS-SF); - Programme Coordination Office (OPS-SX).

The Space Safety Programme Coordination Office is responsible for leading strategic and coordination activities relating to the ESA Space Safety Programme, in close cooperation with the Programme division and offices, including but not restricted to programme strategy, identification of future activities, managing the programme board, overseeing international and European relations, managing industry relations, managing the programme’s communication activities, etc.

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

​You will be based at the European Space Agency (ESA) Headquarters in Paris. During this internship, you will support the Head of the Space Safety Programme Coordination Office in a number of their duties through the preparation of reports, briefs, background material and presentations for the coordinators’ interactions with the rest of the Agency, ESA Member States and other partners (e.g. foreign agencies, industry, EU).

​You will also be involved in the operations of the Strategic Space Safety Initiatives, especially on activities related to the Zero Debris Charter and space weather services.

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.

Academic and/or practical experience in both engineering/science and social science would be a strong asset.

Due to the nature of the post, a commitment of six months is preferred, depending on the candidate’s availability.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 2 November 2026, 5 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 2 November 2026 (5 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.