The European Space Agency (ESA) is offering an internship on Forest Applications in the Climate Action, Sustainability and Science Department at ESRIN in Frascati, Italy. Applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST, and university students from ESA's participating states can apply to use BIOMASS mission data to study how well protected forests are really protected. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full vacancy and set out every task and requirement below.
The Internship at a Glance
The internship sits in ESA's Earth Observation Programmes Directorate. These are the formal details of the vacancy:
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21174
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
🏛️ Directorate: Earth Observation Programmes
🏢 Department: Climate Action, Sustainability and Science Department
📍 Workplace: Frascati, IT
🗺️ Location: ESRIN, Frascati, Italy
📣 Publication method: External Only
📅 Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
Where You Will Be Based: ESRIN, Frascati
The internship is located at ESRIN in Frascati, Italy. The vacancy lists Frascati, IT as the workplace for the role within the Earth Observation Programmes Directorate.
Our Team and Mission: The Applications Section
The Applications Section is primarily engaged in research and development (R&D) for Earth observation-based solutions that address both European and global environmental and development agendas.
The typical projects of the EOP-SGA Section involve key stakeholders throughout the co-design, development, and validation phases to ensure that the innovative EO-based solutions are effectively integrated into end-users' operational systems and practices.
The Applications Section, based at the ESRIN site of ESA, comprises several EO experts, each overseeing specific domains where EO data is utilised, including marine, carbon, and agriculture, among others. The vacancy presents some of these activities under eo4society, EO science for society, and encourages interested candidates to visit the ESA website, which is listed in the Links section below.
The Internship Topic: Forest Applications
The topic of the internship is Forest Applications. The role combines two kinds of work: a research-based exercise on protected forests, and support activities for the Applications Section of EOP, Green Solutions Division.
Task 1: A Research Exercise on Protected Forests
Your first core task will involve a research-based exercise.
Why Protected Forests Need a Closer Look
About 21% of the world's forest area is currently designated under legal protection. These forests are highly valuable for carbon storage and sustaining biodiversity. However, high annual rates of tree cover loss continue to this day, with impacts both on forest carbon stocks and their biodiversity.
It therefore remains difficult to assess how effective protected area designation is as a forest conservation tool. The legal status of a protected area does not automatically mean that active protection is being implemented, particularly in regions with limited financial resources for conservation.
The Satellite Data Behind the Work: Sentinels and BIOMASS
ESA's Sentinel missions are widely used to monitor forests by providing frequent, consistent, and freely available satellite data on forests. In April 2025, ESA also launched the BIOMASS mission with a novel P-band synthetic aperture radar designed to deliver crucial information about forest conditions, changes, and their role in the carbon cycle.
You will utilise BIOMASS mission data in synergy with several other EO missions (particularly the Sentinels) to achieve the following:
🌳 develop forest (a) carbon and (b) structural/functional biodiversity indicators for protected areas
🗺️ map land cover and land cover change within protected boundaries using long-term EO time series, comparing trends inside protected areas with surrounding unprotected lands
🌱 evaluate ecosystem condition, for example by tracking vegetation health, fragmentation, or recovery after disturbance
📝 summarise key findings that will concisely and accurately inform international/national policies aimed at forest conservation
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Task 2: Support Activities in the Green Solutions Division
Your second task will involve support activities to the Applications Section of EOP, Green Solutions Division. These tasks are aimed at developing management skills and soft skills, supporting the overall career development of the candidate. Some activities include:
🎤 design and preparation of materials for conferences/meetings held at ESRIN
🤝 participation in project meetings, assisting in review of ESA project reports
💡 participation in inter-section meetings (e.g. with ESA PhiLab), co-development of research ideas and agendas
Tools You Will Work With: ESA-Supported Cloud Platforms
You will utilise ESA-supported cloud computing platforms for conducting your research.
What You Will Be Able to Demonstrate by the End
By the end of the internship, you will demonstrate practical experience in:
☁️ scalable Earth Observation processing
🔬 applied analytical methods for land monitoring
✅ product validation and uncertainty assessment
🌐 stakeholder-driven development in an international setting
You will also develop a broader understanding of how EO-derived forest information supports international policy and reporting frameworks.
How Long the Internship Lasts and When It Starts
According to ESA's announcement of its 2027 student internships, an internship lasts between 3 and 6 months and starts from February 2027. The exact start date is agreed with the ESA tutor.
Education Requirement
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.
Skills and Experience ESA Values
In addition to the standard requirements in the form, the vacancy lists the following as assets:
🛰️ experience with Earth Observation for land cover mapping and multi temporal satellite data processing; familiarity with forest ecosystems is an asset
🐍 strong programming skills (e.g. R, Python), including geospatial data processing
🧠 knowledge of machine learning and deep learning for image and time series analysis
🖥️ experience with cloud or high performance computing environments
💬 ability to communicate results clearly in writing and presentations and to collaborate effectively with international partners
Behavioural Competencies
The vacancy lists six ESA core behavioural competencies. For more information, the vacancy refers applicants to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook:
🏆 Result Orientation
⚡ Operational Efficiency
👥 Fostering Cooperation
📞 Relationship Management
🔁 Continuous Improvement
🔮 Forward Thinking
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.
🍁 Cooperating State: applicants from Canada can apply as well
🇪🇺 European Cooperating States (ECS): applicants from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta can apply as well
Selection Process
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.
Application Limit
According to ESA's announcement of its 2027 student internships, one candidate can apply for a maximum of 2 vacancies.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. It welcomes applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.
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 you can contact ESA by email using the address in the Links section below.
Important Information
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. You can find more opportunities like this in the internships and traineeships section of Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the ESA Forest Applications internship based?
The internship is based at ESRIN in Frascati, Italy, within ESA's Earth Observation Programmes Directorate. The vacancy lists Frascati, IT as the workplace.
What is the deadline to apply?
The closing date is 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST. Applications are submitted through the ESA careers website.
What will I work on during the internship?
You will work on forest applications in two tasks. The first is a research exercise using BIOMASS mission data together with other EO missions, particularly the Sentinels, to develop carbon and biodiversity indicators for protected forests, map land cover change inside and outside protected boundaries, evaluate ecosystem condition and summarise findings for forest conservation policy. The second is support work for the Applications Section of EOP, Green Solutions Division.
Who can apply for this internship?
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.
Which nationalities are eligible?
Applications are only considered from nationals of ESA's listed States, which include Italy, Germany, France, Spain, the United Kingdom and 22 others named in the vacancy. Applicants from Canada as a Cooperating State, and from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta as European Cooperating States, can apply as well.
How long does the internship last and when does it start?
According to ESA's 2027 student internships announcement, an internship lasts between 3 and 6 months and starts from February 2027. The exact start date is agreed with the ESA tutor.
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.
Do I need programming and Earth observation experience?
The vacancy lists experience with Earth Observation for land cover mapping and multi temporal satellite data processing as an asset, with familiarity with forest ecosystems. Strong programming skills, for example in R or Python, including geospatial data processing, are also listed, along with knowledge of machine learning and deep learning for image and time series analysis and experience with cloud or high performance computing environments.
How many ESA internship vacancies can I apply for?
One candidate can apply for a maximum of 2 vacancies, according to ESA's announcement of its 2027 student internships.
Does the vacancy mention a stipend?
The vacancy page does not state a stipend or allowance.
What happens during the selection process?
Your motivation for applying to the role will be explored during the interview. ESA may also ask applicants to undergo selection tests.
Deadline
⏳ 30 November 2026
Links
🔗 Full vacancy and application (Apply now): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Frascati-Intern-in-the-Climate-Action%2C-Sustainability-and-Science-Department-Forest-Applications/1452877233/
📘 ESA Student Internships 2027 announcement: https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/ESA_Student_Internships_2027_are_now_open
🌐 ESA website: https://www.esa.int
📧 ESA student internships contact (diversity and accessibility questions): ESA.Student.Internships@esa.int
