Intern in the Space Resilience Office - Space Security and Geopolitical Analysis
Noordwijk, NL
Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Our team and mission
The Directorate of Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity supports Europe's ability to anticipate, withstand and respond to threats affecting satellite navigation and secure connectivity services that underpin everyday life, including transport, energy, health, defence and civil protection. This requires close engagement with European institutions, Member States, industry, academia and international partners to build a coordinated and resilient European space posture.
As Europe's reliance on space systems grows, so does its exposure to cyber attacks, jamming and spoofing of satellite signals, physical interference with ground and space infrastructure, supply-chain dependencies and wider geopolitical tensions. Understanding both the technical characteristics of these threats and their policy and geopolitical context is essential to keep European navigation and connectivity services safe, dependable and resilient.
Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int
Field(s) of activity for the internship
Under the direct guidance of the Head of the Space Resilience Office, you will support activities at the interface between engineering, security analysis and policy, helping the team assess threats to space systems, understand their strategic implications and position resilience activities within Europe's wider security and defence framework.
This opportunity is therefore suited to candidates from either a technical or policy background who are motivated to develop a multidisciplinary perspective.
You will contribute to security and threat analysis within the Space Resilience Office of the Directorate of Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity, supporting activities that may combine technical assessment with policy and geopolitical analysis. As an intern, you will have the following tasks:
- monitoring and analysing technical, security, policy and geopolitical developments relevant to European satellite navigation and secure connectivity programmes;
- supporting the analysis of threats affecting space systems, including cyber threats, radio-frequency interference, jamming, spoofing and vulnerabilities across space, ground and user segments;
- contributing to security, risk and resilience assessments of space systems, services and architectures, including the identification of vulnerabilities and potential mitigation measures;
- tracking policy, regulatory and strategic developments affecting European space security and resilience activities;
- supporting the assessment of security and geopolitical risks associated with international partnerships, critical technologies and supply chains;
- preparing concise briefings, structured assessments and strategic positioning material for management, governing bodies and stakeholder meetings;
- maintaining a structured repository of open-source information on threats, incidents, technologies and geopolitical developments relevant to the Office's activities;
- supporting coordination with other Agency teams and with European institutions, Member States, industry, academia and international partners on security-related matters.
Through this internship, you will learn how technical evidence, threat analysis and geopolitical context are combined to support decisions on European space security and resilience.
You will also develop skills in multidisciplinary analysis, concise strategic communication and cooperation with technical and institutional stakeholders.
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 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.
The following are considered assets:
- knowledge and background in space telecommunications and navigation domains;
- familiarity with threat and risk analysis;
- knowledge of international relations and space treaties.
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 ESA.Student.Internships@esa.int.
Important Information and Disclaimer
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests.
Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.
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, Cyprus, 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.