Intern in the Space Safety Programme Coordination Office

Support the Space Safety Programme Coordination Office activities at ESA Headquarters in Paris.

This opening expired 7 months ago. Do not try to apply for this job.

ESA - European Space Agency

Open positions at ESA
Logo of ESA

Application deadline 7 months ago: Sunday 30 Nov 2025 at 23:59 UTC

Open application form

Overview

Support the Space Safety Programme Coordination Office activities at ESA Headquarters in Paris.

You have:

  • You must be a university student, preferably studying 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.
  • 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.
  • Academic and/or practical experience in both engineering/science and social science would be a strong asset.
  • During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.

Contract

This is a Internship contract. It usually requires 0 years of experience, depending on education. More about Internship contracts.

Location ESA Headquarters, Paris, France

Our team and mission

The ESA Space Safety Programme Office takes care of all potential hazards from space or in space, which can impact human activities on Earth or again in space. The spectrum of tasks ranges from gathering the basic understanding of space hazards originating from our Sun, from man-made 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 Office has the following entities:

  • Space Debris Office (OPS-SD).
  • Frequency Management Office (OPS-SF).
  • Space Safety Programme Missions Office (OPS-SM).
  • Planetary Defence Office (OPS-SP).
  • Space Weather Office (OPS-SW).
  • Space Safety Programme Coordination Office (OPS-SX).
  • Clean Space and Circular Economy Office (OPS-SY).

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 can choose between the following topics:

Topic 1: Support to Space Safety Programme Coordination

You will work at the European Space Agency (ESA) Headquarters in Paris. During this 6-month internship, you will support the Head of the Space Safety Programme Coordination Office in numerous 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 Protect Accelerator, especially on activities related to the Zero Debris Charter and space weather services.

Topic 2: Support to Space Safety Programme Communication and Outreach

During this 6-month internship, you will work at ESA Headquarters, Paris. You will be part of the Space Safety communication coordinator in promoting ESA’s Space Safety programme by supporting the preparation, development, implementation and maintenance of the communication strategy. This includes helping with the online presence of the programme, outreach activities and the events’ management.

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation Operational Efficiency Fostering Cooperation Relationship Management Continuous Improvement Forward Thinking

For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

Education

You must be a university student, preferably studying 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.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.

At the Agency we value diversity, and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via email at [email protected].

Important Information and Disclaimer During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests.

The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding internship conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.

Nationality

Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Applicants from Canada as a Cooperating State can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).

Potential interview questions

Can you describe a time when you successfully managed a project? This question assesses your project management skills and ability to deliver results. Provide a brief overview of the project, your specific role, and the outcome.
How do you handle working under pressure or tight deadlines? The interviewer wants to understand your stress management and time prioritization skills. Pro members can see the explanation.
Describe an experience where you had to work collaboratively with a team. Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What communications strategies have you previously used in your work? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What interests you about the Space Safety Programme? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you give an example of a time you improved a process? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How would you promote ESA's Space Safety programme to external partners? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Discuss a time when you had to resolve a conflict in a group setting. Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 8 months ago - Updated 7 months ago - Source: jobs.esa.int