JOB DESCRIPTION
At SatCen, we believe that highly qualified and motivated trainees add important value to our work.
In return, we offer a unique hands-on experience in a European Union Agency, whose mission is safeguarding the security of European citizens. You will gain valuable work experience and develop your employability skills that will help you in your future career.
You will benefit from working with a team of enthusiastic professionals from all over the European Union in a stimulating multicultural environment.
SatCen is offering one traineeship position to university students or recent graduates with a degree in a field relevant to the post and a special interest in geospatial information. As a successful candidate, you will join one of SatCen's production teams within the Operations Division.
As a trainee, you will have the opportunity to gain first-hand experience working for an EU body and to participate in the completion of meaningful, real-world projects related to Earth Observation, Security and Defence.
As an Open-Source Information Trainee, you will play a crucial role in supporting your team in the collection of publicly available information and the production of open-source reports. Your efforts will contribute to the creation of comprehensive reports and to various geospatial projects within the organisation. This will enable you to develop your professional skills in a real-world setting by performing a set of daily activities that may include some or all the following, depending on your profile:
• Data Collection: searching, monitoring and collecting open-source data from a variety of platforms, including social media, websites, forums, databases and news sources.
• Data Processing and Analysis: sorting and cleaning data; analysing trends and patterns and evaluating source credibility.
• Reporting and Documentation: creating comprehensive reports and offering contextual analysis.
• Production Support: assisting your team in the production of cartographic, GIS or IMINT products, especially during periods of high workload, ensuring timely and accurate delivery.
• Database Management: generating, updating and maintaining comprehensive geospatial databases, and producing documentation to support data integrity and accessibility.
• Feature Extraction: digitising and extracting features from satellite images to update geospatial datasets.
• Project Assistance: collaborating with Team Leader and Imagery Analysts in executing various projects and division activities, providing essential support and insights.
If you are proactive and open to working in a multicultural environment and believe you can contribute with a fresh perspective, this is an opportunity for you.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Applications will be assessed based on the information provided by the candidates in the Application Form, and their performance against the following criteria:
Only applications meeting all essential selection criteria will be assessed.
Essential:
• A university student or recent graduate with a Bachelor or Master degree in Military Science, Defence Studies, Security and Intelligence, Strategic Studies, International Relations, Political Science, Geospatial Science, Geography, Data Science, Computer Science or in a field relevant to the post.
• Experience with open-source data gathering, processing and analysis.
Desirable:
• Complimentary studies in specialised areas such as Intelligence Studies, Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT), Strategic Studies or Defence Policy.
• Relevant experience in image analysis.
• Relevant experience in Data Science techniques.
SKILLS AND COMPETENCES
Essential:
• Organisation and Work Approach: Highly organised and methodical, with the ability to adapt to changing priorities, remain resilient under pressure, and effectively manage tasks to meet tight deadlines.
• Proficiency in OSINF Tools and methodologies: skilled in gathering and analysing information from publicly available sources.
• Language Proficiency: excellent command of English (minimum B2 level – CEFR) and proficiency in another EU language.
• Effective Communication: Ability to distil complex data into clear, concise, and actionable outputs, communicating key insights in a direct and unambiguous manner.
• Team Collaboration: excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a team.
• Discretion and Confidentiality demonstrate a high level of discretion and a strong sense of confidentiality.
Desirable:
• Intelligence Workflow Proficiency: fundamental understanding of intelligence workflows, the intelligence cycle, and structural analytical techniques (SATs).
• Language Proficiency: knowledge of languages from outside the EU (like Russian, Mandarin or Arabic).
• Social Media APIs: familiarity with social media application programming interfaces (API) would be advantageous.
• Data Analytics and Business Intelligence Software: Knowledge of data analytics software (e.g., Power BI).
• Raster and Vector Data Analysis: competent in manipulating and analysing raster, vector data and performing geospatial analysis.
• Geospatial Database Management: skilled in generating, updating and maintaining geospatial databases, ensuring data integrity, accuracy and accessibility.
• Artificial Intelligence solutions: expertise in machine learning algorithms and data analysis, and an understanding of AI frameworks.
• Programming languages: knowledge of programming languages such as Python, JAVA and/or ArcPy package.
• Proficiency in GIS Software: skilled in industry-standard GIS software such as ESRI (ArcGIS) and QGIS, enabling the creation, manipulation and analysis of geospatial data.
All essential and desirable criteria are evaluated so as to identify the most suitable candidates.