The European Space Agency (ESA) is looking for an intern for the Harmony mission in its Climate Action, Sustainability and Science Department at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands. The internship lasts 3 to 6 months, starts from February 2027 and is open to university students. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full vacancy: applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST.
Internship at a Glance
🏛️ Organisation: European Space Agency (ESA)
🧭 Team: Earth Science Division, Climate Action, Sustainability and Science Department
🆔 Job requisition ID: 21176
🗂️ Directorate: Earth Observation Programmes
📍 Location: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
⏱️ Duration: 3 to 6 months
📆 Start: from February 2027, with the exact start agreed with your ESA tutor
🌐 Publication method: external only
⏳ Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
The Earth Science Division at ESTEC
The Earth Science Division of the Climate Action, Sustainability and Science Department, Earth Observation Programmes Directorate, is based at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC). The Earth and Mission Science Division provides the creative vision for innovation and new discoveries in Earth system science, using Earth Observation (EO) in close cooperation with the scientific community.
What the Earth Science Division Team Does
The vacancy describes the division's team as one that:
🌉 Bridges science and technology by translating ideas and concepts into technical reality and scientific success, defining, consolidating and managing scientific mission requirements throughout all phases of a mission and measuring the maturity of the resulting mission concept
🔬 Manages scientific research-based studies that provide the scientific foundation for mission concepts and approval, and supports the development of the space and ground segment, in-orbit satellite commissioning and in-orbit scientific achievements
🚁 Undertakes airborne, marine and terrestrial campaigns that contribute to new technologies, mission feasibility assessments, calibration and validation, and application development
Your Home: The Earth Surfaces and Interior Section
You work within the Earth Surfaces and Interior Section of the Earth Science Division. Its role is to provide scientific support throughout the full lifecycle of Earth Observation missions, from mission concept and assessment studies through development, commissioning and routine operations. The Section contributes to mission requirements definition, scientific performance assessment, calibration and validation activities, product development, mission data exploitation, and the advancement of Earth science through the exploration of emerging scientific questions, novel methodologies and future research directions.
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Expertise Across Surfaces, Oceans, Ice and Solid Earth
The Section has expertise spanning Earth surfaces and interior processes, including terrestrial, oceanic and cryospheric systems, as well as geodesy, gravity and magnetic field observations and solid Earth dynamics. Your activities contribute to, and benefit from, a diverse and international team of scientists working across a variety of Earth science disciplines.
Harmony: ESA's 10th Earth Explorer Mission
Harmony is ESA's 10th Earth Explorer mission. It is dedicated to the observation and quantification of small-scale motion and deformation (velocity gradient) fields, which allow data-driven representations of processes in Earth System models. The mission focuses primarily on three areas:
🌊 The air-sea interface
🌋 The solid Earth
🧊 The cryosphere
Why ESA Needs an Intern: Simulation and Performance Models
Because Harmony is a multi-faceted mission, a number of different simulation and performance estimation models have been constructed. ESA is seeking a talented and enthusiastic intern to use, and potentially further enhance, the currently available mission performance evaluation tools.
Your Key Responsibilities as a Harmony Intern
The vacancy lists three key responsibilities:
🖥️ Use high-fidelity simulation environments to demonstrate the mission's capability to deliver science data within the stated mission requirements
💡 Identify and suggest areas of improvement within the existing tools, both on fundamental aspects and on user-friendliness
📊 Use derived performance evaluations to construct, assess and quantify science data (Level-2) error budgets with a view to product validation metrics
Where to Read More About the Mission
Information on the Harmony mission can be retrieved in the document named EE10_Harmony_Report-for-Selection_21June2022.pdf, which the vacancy points to. Candidates are also encouraged to visit the ESA website, which is listed in the Links section below.
Who Can Apply: Student Status and Study Level
The vacancy asks for a university student, preferably in the final or second-to-last year of a 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.
Languages: English or French
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.
Science Background and Python Skills
Besides the study level and language requirements, you should have:
🔭 A solid understanding of and background in at least one of the Harmony science disciplines and applications
🐍 Demonstrable programming skills with Python
📡 Knowledge of either active microwave (for example SAR) or optical remote sensing, which is considered an asset
Interview: Your Motivation Will Be Explored
During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.
Six Behavioural Competencies Behind the Role
The vacancy lists six ESA behavioural competencies. For more information, it refers to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook.
🏁 Result Orientation
⚙️ Operational Efficiency
🫂 Fostering Cooperation
💬 Relationship Management
🔄 Continuous Improvement
🔮 Forward Thinking
Nationality Rules for This Internship
ESA considers applications only from nationals of one of these 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 from Canada as a Cooperating State can apply, as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).
Duration and Start Date
According to ESA's announcement of its 2027 student internships, an internship lasts 3 to 6 months and starts from February 2027. The exact start date is determined with the ESA tutor.
Limit: Two Applications Per Candidate
ESA's announcement states that a candidate can apply for a maximum of 2 internship vacancies. Choose the offers that fit your studies best.
Selection Tests
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests.
Equal Opportunities and Support for Applicants with Disabilities
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.
ESA values diversity and welcomes people with disabilities. Whenever possible, it 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 discuss this by email with the ESA internships team (the address is listed in the Links section below).
Does the Vacancy Mention Pay? Conditions and Disclaimer
The vacancy page does not state an allowance for this internship. ESA also notes that the information on its careers website about internship conditions is correct at the time of publication, is not exhaustive and may not address all questions you have.
Find more opportunities like this in our internship and traineeship listings on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the ESA Harmony Mission internship take place?
The internship takes place at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands. The role belongs to the Climate Action, Sustainability and Science Department in the Earth Observation Programmes Directorate, within the Earth Surfaces and Interior Section of the Earth Science Division.
What is Harmony?
Harmony is ESA's 10th Earth Explorer mission. It is dedicated to the observation and quantification of small-scale motion and deformation (velocity gradient) fields, primarily at the air-sea interface, of the solid Earth and in the cryosphere.
What will a Harmony Mission intern do?
You use high-fidelity simulation environments to demonstrate the mission's capability to deliver science data within the stated requirements, and you identify and suggest improvements to the existing tools. You also use derived performance evaluations to construct, assess and quantify science data (Level-2) error budgets with a view to product validation metrics.
How long is the internship and when does it start?
According to ESA's 2027 student internships announcement, the internship lasts 3 to 6 months and starts from February 2027. The exact start date is determined with your ESA tutor.
Who can apply for this internship?
You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of a Master's level course. You must also be able to prove that you will be enrolled at your university for the entire duration of the internship.
Which nationalities can apply?
ESA considers applications only from nationals of its 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. Applicants from Canada (Cooperating State) and from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta (European Cooperating States) can apply as well.
Which languages do I need?
A good knowledge of English or French is required, as these are the working languages of the Agency. Knowledge of another ESA Member State language is an asset.
Which skills does the vacancy ask for?
You need a solid understanding of and background in at least one of the Harmony science disciplines and applications, and demonstrable programming skills with Python. Knowledge of either active microwave (for example SAR) or optical remote sensing is considered an asset.
Can I apply for more than one ESA internship?
A candidate can apply for a maximum of 2 internship vacancies, according to ESA's announcement.
Is the internship paid?
The vacancy page does not state an allowance. ESA notes that its published information on internship conditions is not exhaustive.
What is the application deadline?
Applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST.
Will there be selection tests?
The Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests during the recruitment process, and your motivation for applying will be explored during the interview.
Deadline
⏳ 30 November 2026
Links
🔗 Apply now (official vacancy): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Noordwijk-Intern-in-the-Climate-Action%2C-Sustainability-and-Science-Department-Harmony-Mission/1452877633/
📢 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 internships contact: ESA.Student.Internships@esa.int
