Intern in the Science and Operations Department

Our team and mission

The Science and Operations Department is responsible for ensuring that maximum scientific return, within applicable constraints, is maintained as an objective for the Directorate’s missions through their lifetime, by providing scientific oversight of the Directorate’s missions throughout their lifecycle, managing and being responsible for the operation of the Directorate’s missions once successfully commissioned, and curating the scientific data in their legacy phase, while establishing and maintaining the necessary science interfaces to the community. These responsibilities are discharged in full coordination with the Directorate’s Departments and Offices and, as appropriate, with the Directorate of Operations.

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: Digital transformation of the CESAR Space Science Experiences

The CESAR Team would like to update their producs to ensure they are accessible to children of all genders and diverse backgrounds to increase their engagement in Space and STEM and increase their familiarity with Space careers. This internship should aim at adapting CESAR Science Cases to student-oriented enviroments, making use of IT applications, VR and available e-learning platforms compatible with ESA Data Protection. The existing CESAR materials will be included in this new interactive environment, allowing students to perform the Space Science Experiences through it. This platform should also contain a back-end that permit evaluators to flexibly interact with the students individually.

2) Topic 2: Design of Multimedia and Social Media contents for the CESAR educational activities

This internship should aim at designing and creating new multimedia contents, in an inclusive and attractive way, for the CesaR educational materials (Space Science Experiences, Teacher Workshops) from the existing materials and the generation of new ones. As a second activity, supporting with the design and implementation of the CESAR events disemination strategy on the social media as well as analysis and monitoring their impact.

3) Topic 3: Enabling (remote) Operations of CESAR Solar Observatory and operation support

During the past months the CESAR Solar Observatory has been put in manual operation mode, allowing daily images of the Sun to be obtained and processed, and shared with schools participating of the CESAR Space Science Experiences. We are now aiming for the remotization of observations to grant direct access to the schools, so teachers and students can be able to take their own observations. Moreover, continuous on-site operation support of observations is also needed to mantain the observatory in optimal conditions. This intership will have a dual dimension, working toward the remotization of the observatory and providing the necessary operational support. 

For the detailed topics descriptions please go to this web page: 
https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/esac-trainees/2023-projects

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.

Educational knowledge:

Topic 1

- Good understanding  of astronomical concepts.

- Good skills in communicating scientific concepts to 4-18 year-old students. 
- Experience designing education materials for inclusive and diverse environments.
- Capable of working in international teams and alone.
- Creative.
- Capable to meet milestones within schedules.

Topic 2

- Good understanding of astronomical concepts.

- Good skills in communicating scientific concepts to 4-18 year-old students. 

- Familiarity with inclusive and diverse environments, 

- Interest in Planetary Science, Space Science and Communications.
- General multimedia knowledge. 
- Knowledge of graphic design.
- Good level of editing pictures and videos.
- Social Media knowledge.
- Good level of English and Spanish, spoken and written, is required.
- Good communication skills.
- Basic HTML knowledge.
- Creativity.

Topic 3

- Good knowledge of physics and mathematics and understanding of astronomical concepts.
- Practical experience in Python programming and UNIX environments.
- Experience with image processing.
- Knowledge of programs for astronomical equipment control (dome, mount, cameras...) in particular ASCOM, Talon, Indi... 
- Knowledge in astronomical equipment for ground-based observatories.
- Practical experience in amateur observing would be an asset.
- Capable of working in international teams and alone.
- Capable of meeting milestones within schedules.