If you are a data science or computer science student who dreams of contributing to human spaceflight, this internship at the European Space Agency (ESA) in Germany is an extraordinary opportunity. Within ESA's Space Medicine Team, you will help manage and modernise the medical data behind astronaut health, working on database migration, validation, and even an AI-powered search engine.
About the Team and Mission
The Space Medicine Team (HRE-HM), within the Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration, is mandated to care for ESA astronauts' health and wellbeing throughout their entire career. To do this, the team performs numerous medical tests and evaluations, collected into the ESA Astronaut Medical Database (AMD). The team is responsible for maintaining, assuring the quality of, and further developing the AMD.
Before the AMD was introduced, medical data were stored in a SQL Server database. Some records have already been transferred to the AMD, but the extent of the transfer is still unclear. This internship supports that transition by analysing the existing SQL database, mapping the relationships between tables, defining a secure transfer strategy that avoids duplication, and documenting and helping implement it. The team is also integrating in-house AI solutions to gain more knowledge from medical records, and with the support of the AI Team, you will implement a local search engine and fine-tune it to the Space Medicine Team's requirements.
Your Mission
🗄️ Analyse the SQL database and create a diagram showing the relationships between existing tables
🔐 Define a strategy for securely transferring data to the AMD while preventing duplicates
📄 Document the data transfer strategy and support its implementation
🤖 Implement a local search engine and fine-tune it with the Space Medicine Team's requirements, with support from the AI Team
Your Tasks
Test Planning and Execution
🧪 Develop test cases for various data import scenarios
✅ Execute test cases to verify data accuracy, completeness, and formatting after import
Validation and Quality Assurance
🔍 Identify data anomalies, inconsistencies, or transformation errors
📊 Compare source data against imported data to ensure accuracy and completeness
⚙️ Automate validation procedures where feasible
Documentation
📝 Maintain detailed documentation of test results, issues found, and resolutions
📚 Document the data import process, including tools used and data mapping rules
Education
🎓 You must be a university student, preferably at Master's level, pursuing a degree in Data Science, Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related discipline
📋 You must be able to prove that you will be enrolled at your university for the entire duration of the internship
Skills Required
🗃️ Knowledge of SQL and Microsoft SQL Server
🐍 Proficiency in Python, including object-oriented design and clean, modular coding
🌐 Basic experience with Python web frameworks (such as Flask or FastAPI) and an understanding of HTTP/web application architecture
🔗 Familiarity with REST APIs: designing, consuming, and handling authentication (such as API keys)
📡 An understanding of networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, client-server model, sockets, and tools like Postman or curl)
🧠 A solid grasp of data structures and algorithms, plus exposure to vector databases and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) workflows, such as embeddings and semantic search
🔎 Attention to detail and a structured approach to problem solving
Languages
🗣️ The working languages of the Agency are English and French; good knowledge of one is required, and knowledge of another ESA Member State language is an asset
The Details
📍 Location: EAC, Porz-Wahn, Germany
🏷️ Type of appointment: Intern, within the Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration
🌍 Eligibility: applications are only considered from nationals 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
⚠️ Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations
How to Apply
Apply through the ESA careers portal, quoting Job Requisition ID 20708. During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests, and your motivation for applying will be explored during the interview.
Deadline
29 July 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
Links
🔗 Vacancy and how to apply: https://jobs.esa.int/job/Porz-Wahn-Intern-in-the-Space-Medicine-Team/1409875933/
