Intern in Space Resources

Our team and mission

The E3P Programme Manager is responsible for the programmatic implementation of the European exploration policy and strategy established by the Directorate. He shall also support the Directorate and the Strategy & Coordination Group in developing the E3P Strategy. In addition, the E3P Programme Manager shall establish a sound and executable commercialisation strategy linked to LEO and Moon and develop the Directorate's innovation strategy.

The Innovation and Commercialisation Team leads the definition and coordinates the implementation of all cross-sectoral innovation initiatives as outlined in the E3P Innovation Plan. This includes working in close collaboration with the Luxemburg Space Agency (LSA) and the European Space Resources Innovation Centre (ESRIC) to support the growth of the Space Resources field and expand the community and the number of actors. In particular engaging in studying and expanding the current Space Resources Value Chain and focusing on new technology that can provided added value to exploration mission and that can directly benefit terrestrial applications.

• developing the New Space Economy using exploration infrastructure
• defining associated activities with the aim to foster the development of ISRU related Value chains
• developing and implementing the innovation plan and managing and growing the community within the directorate of Human and Robotic exploration with the aim to foster co-creation, cross-fertilization, and innovation from inside-out

For further information visit our web site: http://www.esa.int

Field(s) of activity for the internship

You can choose between the following topics:

1) Topic 1: ISRU Technology Scouting

Supporting Space Resource technology scouting and analyses with the aim to identify new ISRU technologies and opportunities along the space resources value chain, monitoring multiple sources of information, interacting with experts and colleagues. Including the possibility of dedicated Business Case studies on selected technologies to provide confidence in current and future choices. You will have the opportunity of learning about cutting edge technologies that may also have important benefits for terrestrial applications and the possibility of applying business driven decision making in technology selection.

2) Topic 2: ISRU Community engagement

Supporting the definition and implementation of community engagement activities, such as call for ideas, challenges, workshops, and conferences. In particular in the development of the Terrestrial Pilot Plant, in which a strong input from the community is sought, this will imply interacting with internal and external stakeholders to organise meeting and events. You will have the opportunity of having hands on experience on a range of different tools for engaging with the community.

3) Topic 3: ISRU Knowledge Management

Support the definition and implementation of ISRU Knowledge Management activities such as workshops, events, and meetings. Being exposed to an international and multidisciplinary environment with the aim of capturing and disseminate knowledge generated by research, contracts, and other forms of knowledge generation.

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

You must have student status and be enrolled at university for the entire duration of the internship. You should preferably be in your final or second to last year of a university course at master’s level in a technical or scientific discipline.

Additional requirements

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.

1) Topic 1:

Understanding of technologies trade off and ability to conduct technology benchmarking, understanding of resources production value chain is also an advantage; ability to gather relevant information through means such as literature review, qualitative as well as quantitative surveys, and to document and present this information in a structured manner to inform strategic decision-making.

2) Topic 2:

Experience in the development of calls for ideas and understanding of engineering open platforms design associated with other forms of idea gathering; ability to engage with communities using social media and other forms of communication.

3) Topic 3:

Understanding of Knowledge Management techniques and organisational skills to follow up actions deriving from meetings and events. Understanding of technologies underpinning Knowledge Management would be considered an advantage.