Our team and mission

The Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration (D/HRE) is a programme directorate at ESA. On the basis of partnership between humans and robots, the Directorate is dedicated to exploring destinations in space in which humans are already living and working, or will live and work in the future, for the purposes of scientific research, economic development, international cooperation and public inspiration.

Within the Directorate, the Strategy and Coordination Group is, among other things, responsible for the HRE strategy and policy and for supporting the operational work of the Director. Tasks include, for example:  

• formulating the Directorate's strategy and policy;
• leading the definition of the ESA exploration strategies for future LEO, lunar and Mars robotic and human exploration activities;
• defining and implementing the plan for the preparation of the Directorate's programme proposal for ESA Council meetings at ministerial level;
• ensuring that major cross-directorate actions are adequately coordinated;
• advising the Directorate on any new idea or activity proposed by either internal or external entities;.
• coordinating the Directorate’s internal and external communication activities in close coordination with ESA’s Corporate Communication team.

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

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

ESA’s exploration strategy roadmap is called Terrae Novae 2030+ and was released in June 2022 (see https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Earth_orbit_Moon_Mars_ESA_s_ambitious_roadmap).

As well as implementing the Terrae Novae programme, ESA is continuing major exploration campaigns in low-Earth orbit (International Space Station), but also extending to the Moon (European Service Modules for Orion and Gateway elements) and Mars (Mars Sample Return). The next major new missions, approved at ESA’s Council meeting at ministerial level in November 2022 (CM22), are the development of the Argonaut European lunar landers and a European capability to land the Rosalind Franklin rover on the surface of Mars.

As a Young Graduate Trainee, you will support:

• efforts to sustain and further develop the Terrae Novae strategy roadmap, including options for future decisions, and coordination of relevant matters with the associated stakeholders internal and external to ESA;
• translation of the decisions taken at CM22 into the update of the Directorate’s five-year mid-term strategic implementation plan and programme key performance indicators in close coordination with the Directorate Management Team and the Programme Management Support Group;
• the preparation of new strategic initiatives aimed at advancing the implementation of the ESA strategic goals for human and robotic exploration, including maturing the option for transporting European astronauts into space on European launchers developed through innovative partnerships with European space companies, to be evaluated and endorsed by European decision-makers at a space summit at the end of 2023;
• use of the running and planned exploration missions (astronaut missions, International Space Station, European Service Modules for Orion) as a teaser to develop communication content to promote the exploration benefits and strategy narrative;
• initiatives to enlarge the evidence base of exploration benefits, including socioeconomic studies and science benefits (in coordination with the SciSpacE team) and research into success stories documenting how exploration activities generate societal benefits (knowledge, economics, inspiration, global challenges).

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation

Operational Efficiency

Fostering Cooperation

Relationship Management

Continuous Improvement

Forward Thinking

Education

You should have just completed, or be in the final year of your master’s degree in technical or scientific discipline.

Additional requirements

You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team.

Candidates with an academic background in policy or public administration and with an interest in a future career in the aerospace sector would also benefit from this traineeship opportunity and are therefore also welcome to apply

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.

During the interview, your motivation and overall professional career goals will also be explored.