The European Space Agency (ESA) is looking for an intern for its Intellectual Assets Strategic Management Office, part of the Commercialisation and Industry Partnership Directorate, at the European Space Deep-Tech Innovation Centre (ESDI) in Villigen, Switzerland. Applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST. At Youth Works Hub we went through the full vacancy and set out every detail.
The Vacancy at a Glance
The internship is based at ESDI in Villigen and is published externally only. These are the formal details of the vacancy:
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 20982
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
🏛️ Directorate: Commercialisation and Industry Partnership
📍 Workplace: Villigen, CH
🏢 Location: European Space Deep-Tech Innovation Centre (ESDI), Villigen, Switzerland
📣 Publication method: External Only
🗓️ Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
What the Intellectual Assets Strategic Management Office Does
The office supports the protection, management, and exploitation of European Space Agency inventions and related intellectual assets. It provides advice and operational support on the protection and utilisation of these assets, with a particular focus on patents, licensing, portfolio management, and commercialisation pathways.
Why This Work Matters
The work helps ensure that inventions generated within the Agency environment can be protected where appropriate, made visible to industry, and used in missions, industrial products, services, or technology transfer activities.
Where You Fit In the Team
During this internship, you will join a team working at the interface between inventors, technical experts, legal and commercialisation colleagues, and external innovation stakeholders. The role will focus on ESA patent assets and, where relevant, selected software assets linked to technology transfer or commercialisation.
What the Internship Focuses On
You will support the Intellectual Assets Strategic Management Office in the monitoring, administration, and utilisation of ESA patent assets and, where relevant, selected software assets. Your internship will focus on practical portfolio administration, licensing support, and the preparation of patent assets for commercialisation and technology transfer.
Your Tasks: Tracking Patent Use and Administering the Portfolio
As an intern, you will have the following tasks in this area:
📊 supporting patent utilisation tracking by collecting, checking, and organising information on how selected patent assets are used in missions, research and development activities, licensing discussions, industrial products, services, or technology transfer cases
🗂️ assisting with portfolio administration, including the preparation of short portfolio notes, status updates, and supporting material for internal review and decision-making
📈 helping to maintain structured records, trackers, and short analytical summaries that support portfolio management, licensing follow-up, and reporting
Your Tasks: Promoting Patents to Industry and Supporting Licensing
Two further tasks cover the commercial side of the patent assets:
📢 helping to prepare clear, non-confidential descriptions of selected patent assets for promotion to industry, including summaries of the technical problem addressed, the proposed solution, possible applications, and development status
🤝 supporting licensing and commercialisation activities by helping to organise information on potential users, interested companies, relevant technology domains, and follow-up actions under the supervision of the office
Your Tasks: Software Assets and Talking to ESA Inventors
Your work is not limited to patents, and it involves direct contact with the people behind the inventions:
💻 contributing to the review of selected software assets where they are connected to patent promotion, technology transfer, or commercialisation opportunities
🔬 interacting with ESA inventors and technical experts to clarify technical content and understand the maturity, possible uses, and exploitation potential of selected inventions
Your Tasks: Working With ESA's Commercialisation Network
The remaining tasks are about coordination and general support:
🏭 supporting coordination with ESA commercialisation stakeholders, including Business Incubation Centres, Technology Brokers, Phi-Labs, industry, and academia, where relevant to the promotion or use of patent and software assets
🧰 supporting other related activities within the office, as required
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. In addition, you must be able to prove that you will be enrolled at your university for the entire duration of the internship.
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.
What Counts as an Asset
Knowledge and background in intellectual property or technology management is an asset.
Motivation Interview
During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.
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.
Export Control and Sanctions Requirement
Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.
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 Tests
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests.
Duration and Start Date
According to ESA's announcement of its 2027 student internships, an ESA internship lasts 3 to 6 months and starts from February 2027 onwards, with the exact start date agreed with the ESA tutor.
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. Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website, which is listed in the Links section below. You can find more opportunities like this one in the internships section of Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the intern in the Intellectual Assets Strategic Management Office do?
The intern supports the monitoring, administration, and utilisation of ESA patent assets and, where relevant, selected software assets. Tasks include tracking patent utilisation, assisting with portfolio administration, preparing non-confidential patent descriptions for industry, and supporting licensing and commercialisation.
Where is the internship based?
The internship is based at the European Space Deep-Tech Innovation Centre (ESDI) in Villigen, Switzerland. The workplace is listed as Villigen, CH, within the Commercialisation and Industry Partnership Directorate.
Do I need a background in intellectual property?
No, it is not listed as a requirement. The vacancy says that knowledge and background in intellectual property or technology management is an asset.
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 nationalities can apply?
Applications are only considered from nationals of ESA's listed 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.
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.
Who will I work with during the internship?
You will join a team working at the interface between inventors, technical experts, legal and commercialisation colleagues, and external innovation stakeholders. Coordination with ESA commercialisation stakeholders includes Business Incubation Centres, Technology Brokers, Phi-Labs, industry, and academia, where relevant.
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, with the start date 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.
Is there an export control requirement?
Yes. Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.
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/Villigen-Intern-in-the-Intellectual-Assets-Strategic-Management-Office/1452920333/
🌐 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
