Our team and mission

You will work in close cooperation with other staff in the Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes.

You will be part of the ESA Φ-lab. Our mission is to accelerate the future of Earth Observation (EO) by embracing disruptive innovation and be the catalyst for disruptive/transformative innovation in the sector.

Our vision is to become an “EO innovation hub” connecting EO with a growing ecosystem of disruptive and transformative innovation like AI, ML, Quantum Computing, Edge Computing, Metamaterials, Photonics, etc.. Many of the challenges posed by new technologies still need to be tackled at scientific, application and capability levels to deliver the maximum value from satellite-derived EO assets for our climate, society, and economy. The Φ-lab will bring together early career and senior researchers from a variety of disciplines across EO and disruptive/transformative innovation to contribute to developing innovative EO solutions.

In particular you will work in the Φ-lab Invest Office which is managing the InCubed commercialisation programme with a large pipeline of entrepreneurial initiatives supported.

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic of the internship: Earth Observation Business Development

The field of Earth Observation (EO) from space is currently undergoing a profound transformation. A burgeoning entrepreneurial spirit has ignited a wave of investments from both new and established companies, ushering in innovative satellite constellations, cutting-edge technologies, and applications to meet the ever-expanding demands of the market. At the forefront of this transformation is ESA’s Investing in Industrial Innovation (InCubed) programme, designed to support the European EO commercial sector and to operate within this dynamic and rapidly evolving New Space landscape.

In your role as an intern, you will contribute directly to this mission by:

• Analysing National EO Strategies
  You will examine EO strategies across ESA Member States, cross-reference findings with internal data, and identify potential opportunities and actions to strengthen EO commercialization at the national level.
• Enhancing Decision-Support Tools
  You will play an active role in improving and expanding a dashboard (developed in Power BI) that connects with internal databases. This tool will serve as a central hub for tracking national initiatives and key market insights, helping guide strategic actions.
• Updating Market Intelligence Reports
  You will continuously update and refine market reports on EO technologies, ensuring they provide fresh, relevant, and actionable intelligence to support programme activities.

This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain first-hand exposure to the European EO innovation ecosystem, contribute to the design of practical tools for strategy and decision-making, and deepen your expertise in market analysis within one of the most dynamic sectors in space.

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.

Ideally, you should be enrolled in a master’s degree in a business subject or technology discipline with a strong interest in understanding how space technology is exploited in a commercial environment.