The European Space Agency (ESA) is offering an internship in the Vulcan Team of its Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration at ECSAT in Harwell, United Kingdom. The topic is Planetary & Material Science, working on analogue samples for lunar and Martian surface exploration. Applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST, and the vacancy carries a specific UK eligibility condition explained below. At Youth Works Hub we went through the full vacancy and set out every detail.
The Vacancy at a Glance
The internship sits in ESA's Human and Robotic Exploration directorate and is based at ECSAT in Harwell. These are the formal details of the vacancy:
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21132
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
🏛️ Directorate: Human and Robotic Exploration
📍 Workplace: Harwell, GB
🏢 Location: ECSAT, Harwell, United Kingdom
📣 Publication method: External Only
⏳ Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
The UK Condition for This Internship
The vacancy states: due to the location of ECSAT and current UK legislation, only UK citizens, students enrolled in a UK university, or those with pre-settled status (right to study) in the UK are eligible to apply for this internship.
🇬🇧 UK citizens
🏫 students enrolled in a UK university
📄 those with pre-settled status (right to study) in the UK
The Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration
The Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration (D/HRE) is the main ESA entity in charge of supporting and coordinating efforts towards the current and future endeavours of human spaceflight and robotic exploration. The exploration activities are part of the strategic plans in securing a central role for Europe with respect to the global initiatives.
The strategy includes three destinations where humans will work with robots to gather new knowledge:
🌎 Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
🌙 the Moon
🔴 Mars
What the Vulcan Analogue Sample Facility Does
The Vulcan Analogue Sample Facility is uniquely positioned within D/HRE's Exploration Preparation, Research and Technology (ExPeRT) team to support long-term Lunar and Martian Surface Exploration by developing operational concepts and low TRL technologies.
The Vulcan team provides expert support on analogue sample topics to research and technology development projects focused on space exploration and planetary science applications. This support reaches projects within ESA, its Member States, and the rest of Europe.
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A Geological Repository and Analytical Laboratory
The Vulcan Facility is a geological repository and analytical laboratory operated by a multidisciplinary, onsite team of staff and contractors. It is located on the Harwell Campus in the UK, as part of ESA's ECSAT site, and serves as a European focal point for the research, curation, and characterisation of analogue samples.
The facility acts to:
✅ support validation and de-risking of low TRL technologies and key operational concepts
📊 improve confidence in European simulants
🌠 inspire the next generation of planetary geoscientists
The vacancy also points to the website of the Vulcan Analogue Sample Facility and to the ESA website, which is listed in the Links section below.
Topic of the Internship: Planetary & Material Science
The vacancy names the topic of the internship as Planetary & Material science. Research activities focus on analogue samples and related technologies through collaboration with other ESA teams, primarily Spaceship ECSAT.
Research Activities You Would Join
The research activities include:
🧪 new, customised analogue sample recipes for present and future missions
🔭 low-medium fidelity simulants for a range of target planetary bodies and sites
⚙️ high fidelity, mechanical simulants for a range of engineering and geotechnical applications, for example plume surface interaction, dust interaction, mitigation, and contamination testing
⛏️ high fidelity, ISRU simulants focused on resource extraction and additive manufacturing test purposes
🧬 investigation of artificial (i.e. non-geological) simulant components, for example simulated agglutinates
🔬 adapted techniques for advanced characterisation of the physical, mechanical, mineralogical, and chemical properties of analogue samples
Duration and Start Date
According to ESA's announcement of its 2027 student internships, an ESA internship lasts 3 to 6 months. Internships start from February 2027 onwards, and the exact start date is agreed with the ESA tutor.
Who Can Apply: Education
You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of university course at Master's level. You must also be able to prove that you will be enrolled at your university for the entire duration of the internship.
Required Background and Assets
The vacancy sets one requirement and names several assets:
🪐 required: knowledge and background in Planetary Science or Geoscience
💻 asset: knowledge in coding languages
🏗️ asset: knowledge in geotechnical engineering
🏭 asset: knowledge in materials processing
Language Requirements
The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another ESA Member State language is an asset.
Which Nationalities Can Apply
Applications are only considered from nationals of one 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.
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
Selection: Motivation Interview and Tests
During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored. During the recruitment process, the Agency may also request applicants to undergo selection tests.
Export Control and Sanctions
Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.
How Many Vacancies You Can Apply For
ESA's 2027 student internship announcement states that a candidate can apply for a maximum of two vacancies.
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.
A Note on the Published Conditions
The information published on ESA's careers website regarding internship conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.
Applying Through the Official ESA Careers Page
Applications go through ESA's own careers website, and the full vacancy text is published there. You can find more opportunities like this one in the internships section of Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Vulcan Team internship based?
The internship is based at ECSAT in Harwell, United Kingdom, within ESA's Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration. The Vulcan Facility is located on the Harwell Campus in the UK. The workplace is listed as Harwell, GB.
Who is eligible to apply for this internship in Harwell?
The vacancy states that, due to the location of ECSAT and current UK legislation, only UK citizens, students enrolled in a UK university, or those with pre-settled status (right to study) in the UK are eligible to apply for this internship.
What does the Vulcan team work on?
The Vulcan Analogue Sample Facility supports long-term Lunar and Martian Surface Exploration by developing operational concepts and low TRL technologies. It is a geological repository and analytical laboratory that serves as a European focal point for the research, curation, and characterisation of analogue samples.
What is the topic of the internship?
The topic is Planetary & Material science. Research activities cover new, customised analogue sample recipes, low-medium fidelity and high fidelity simulants, ISRU simulants, artificial simulant components such as simulated agglutinates, and advanced characterisation of the physical, mechanical, mineralogical, and chemical properties of analogue samples.
Who can apply in terms of education?
You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of a Master's level course. You must be able to prove that you will be enrolled at your university for the whole duration of the internship.
Which background is required?
Knowledge and background in Planetary Science or Geoscience is required. Knowledge in coding languages, geotechnical engineering, and materials processing is an asset.
Which nationalities can apply?
Applications are only considered from nationals of ESA's participating 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. This sits alongside the UK condition for the Harwell location described above.
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 ESA Member State language is an asset.
How long does the internship last?
According to ESA's 2027 student internship announcement, ESA internships last 3 to 6 months and start from February 2027 onwards. The start date is agreed with the ESA tutor.
How many internship vacancies can I apply for?
A candidate can apply for a maximum of two vacancies, according to ESA's 2027 student internship announcement.
Does the vacancy mention an allowance?
The vacancy page does not state any allowance or stipend. It also does not mention Erasmus+.
What happens after I apply?
The Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests during the recruitment process. During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.
What is the application deadline?
The closing date is 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST.
Deadline
⏳ 30 November 2026 (23:59 CET/CEST)
Links
🔗 Job description and application: https://jobs.esa.int/job/Harwell-Intern-in-the-Vulcan-Team/1452998633/
🌐 European Space Agency: http://www.esa.int
🛰️ ESA Student Internships 2027 announcement: https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/ESA_Student_Internships_2027_are_now_open
📨 ESA Human Resources (disability support and recruitment assistance): ESA.Student.Internships@esa.int
