The European Space Agency (ESA) is recruiting a Graduate Trainee in Remote Sensing Earth Observation Mission Concept Development at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands, to support the Keystone candidate mission of the Earth Explorer 12 programme. Applications close on 04 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST, and the vacancy is open to master's graduates in physics, geophysics or geoscience from ESA's participating states. At Youth Works Hub we went through the full vacancy and set out every duty, requirement and selection detail below.
The Vacancy at a Glance
The traineeship sits in ESA's Earth Observation Programmes and is based at ESTEC in Noordwijk. These are the formal details of the vacancy:
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 20946
🎓 Type of appointment: ESA Graduate Trainee
🏛️ Directorate: Earth Observation Programmes
📍 Workplace: Noordwijk, NL
🏷️ Grade band: F1 - F1
📣 Publication method: External Only
⏳ Closing date: 4 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
Where You Will Be Based: ESTEC, Noordwijk
The traineeship is located at ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands. The vacancy lists Noordwijk, NL as the workplace for the role within the Earth Observation Programmes directorate.
Our Team and Mission: The Earth Explorer 12 Programme
The traineeship belongs to the 12th cycle of ESA's Earth Explorer programme, known as EE12. Within this cycle the candidate mission called Keystone will undergo a Phase A study. Three EE12 candidate missions are currently under consideration, and following completion of their respective Phase A studies, one of them will be selected for implementation.
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What the Keystone Mission Would Observe
Keystone would provide the first direct observations of atomic oxygen in the mesosphere-thermosphere system. It would do this with a unique combination of limb-sounding techniques that cover altitudes from 50 to 250 km.
🔬 Atomic oxygen: the first direct observations of it in the mesosphere-thermosphere system
📏 Limb-sounding techniques: a unique combination covering altitudes from 50 to 250 km
🌡️ Supporting measurements: composition, temperature and winds
☀️ What scientists could study: the processes that drive variability and energy balance in this region of the atmosphere, including the effects of solar cycles and space weather
Three Candidate Missions, One Winner
A brief description of the EE12 mission candidates is available through the link in the Links section below. The final mission selection process is scheduled for summer 2028.
Your Role on the Keystone Team
You will join the Keystone mission team, supporting the mission's scientific definition and performance evaluation. The aim is to help maximise the mission's scientific output and to contribute to the feasibility assessment and the final mission selection process.
Performance Assessment: The Hands-On Technical Work
You will work on the theoretical assessment and testing of the mission's performance. The vacancy spells out the following tasks:
📡 simulating the signals observed by the spacecraft
💾 generating instrument data streams
🧪 processing those data streams into scientific products for distribution to users
🔁 comparing these data with similar outputs from other simulators or experimental airborne campaigns
📈 producing and analysing output that contributes to the preparation of the Report for Mission Selection
Mission Science and Promotion Activities
You may also support other mission science and promotion activities. The vacancy names the following areas:
🤝 engagement with the scientific community and the mission team
🗓️ the preparation of workshops and meetings
💬 mission communication
🖼️ visualisation
📢 public outreach
What You Will Learn
The traineeship is also a learning placement. You will gain insight into the competitive process through which ESA Earth observation research mission concepts are defined and matured before selection for mission implementation. You will also learn about the technical and scientific approaches used to assess mission performance and feasibility.
Education Requirement
You should have recently completed or be in the final year of a master's degree in physics, geophysics or geoscience.
Which Nationalities Can Apply
Applications can only be considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
🇪🇺 Associate Member States: nationals from Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia can apply as well
🍁 Cooperating State: nationals from Canada can apply as well
🤲 European Cooperating States (ECS): nationals from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta can apply as well
How ESA Recruits Across Its States
According to the ESA Convention, staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the Member States.
Working Languages
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.
Technical Competencies
The vacancy lists four technical competencies:
🧠 knowledge of relevant technical and functional domains
🧰 relevant experience gained during internships, project work and/or extracurricular or other activities
🚀 general knowledge of the space sector and relevant activities
🏢 knowledge of ESA and its programmes and projects
Behavioural Competencies
Six behavioural competencies are listed. For more information, the vacancy refers candidates to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook.
🎯 Result Orientation
⚙️ Operational Efficiency
🫱 Fostering Cooperation
🧩 Relationship Management
🔄 Continuous Improvement
🔭 Forward Thinking
Additional Requirements
Beyond your degree and competencies, the vacancy asks for the following:
🗣️ good interpersonal and communication skills
🌐 the ability to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team
🧭 previous experience of working in international teams, which can be considered an asset
💼 your motivation, overall professional perspective and career goals, which will also be explored during the later stages of the selection process
🐍 demonstrated experience in using Python, which is an asset
Selection Tests and Background Screening
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Successful candidates will also need to undergo basic screening before appointment, conducted by an external background screening service in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.
Working Conditions Information
The information published on ESA's careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness at ESA
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. Applications are welcome from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.
Support for Applicants With Disabilities
At the Agency diversity is valued, and people with disabilities are welcome. Whenever possible, ESA seeks 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, and its contact address is listed in the Links section below.
Applying Through the Official ESA Careers Page
Applications go through ESA's own careers website, and the full vacancy text is published there. If you want to know how we check that every listing has a working, official application route, our guide on how we verify every opportunity explains our process. If you are comparing traineeships and internships abroad, our hub guide to how funded traineeships really work is a useful starting point.
Browse more internships and traineeships on Youth Works Hub →
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the ESA Graduate Trainee position based?
The position is based at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands, within ESA's Earth Observation Programmes directorate. The vacancy lists Noordwijk, NL as the workplace.
What will I work on during the traineeship?
You will join the Keystone mission team and support the mission's scientific definition and performance evaluation. The work includes the theoretical assessment and testing of the mission's performance, simulating spacecraft signals, generating instrument data streams and processing them into scientific products.
What is the Keystone mission?
Keystone is a candidate mission of the 12th cycle of ESA's Earth Explorer programme (EE12) that would provide the first direct observations of atomic oxygen in the mesosphere-thermosphere system. It uses a combination of limb-sounding techniques to cover altitudes from 50 to 250 km, and it is currently undergoing a Phase A study.
When will the mission be selected?
Three EE12 candidate missions are under consideration, and one will be selected for implementation after their respective Phase A studies. The final mission selection process is scheduled for summer 2028.
Which degree do I need?
You should have recently completed or be in the final year of a master's degree in physics, geophysics or geoscience.
Which nationalities can apply?
Applications can only be considered from nationals of ESA's participating states: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Nationals of Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Canada, Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta can apply as well.
Do I need to know Python?
Demonstrated experience in using Python is listed as an asset, so it strengthens an application but is not stated as a strict requirement. The vacancy also lists general knowledge of the space sector and of ESA and its programmes among the technical competencies.
Which languages do I need?
The working languages of the Agency are English and French, and a good knowledge of one of them is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.
Is experience in international teams required?
No. Previous experience of working in international teams can be considered an asset. The vacancy does ask for the ability to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team.
Will there be tests or screening?
The Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests during the recruitment process. Successful candidates also need to undergo basic screening before appointment, conducted by an external background screening service.
What is the application deadline?
The closing date is 4 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST.
Deadline
⏳ 04 November 2026 (23:59 CET/CEST)
Links
🔗 Job description and application: https://jobs.esa.int/job/Noordwijk-ESA-Graduate-Trainee-in-Remote-Sensing-Earth-Observation-Mission-Concept-Development/1445111833/
🌐 European Space Agency: https://www.esa.int
🛰️ Earth Explorer EE12 mission candidates: https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/FutureEO/Preparing_for_tomorrow/ESA_selects_four_new_Earth_Explorer_mission_ideas
📨 ESA Human Resources (disability support and recruitment assistance): contact.human.resources@esa.int
