The European Space Agency (ESA) is looking for an intern for the Senior Security Coordinator's Office in the Director General's Cabinet at ESA Headquarters in Paris, France. You can choose between two topics: a review of national security policy and capabilities, or space systems and dual-use. 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 sits in ESA's Director General's Services Directorate and is based at ESA Headquarters in Paris. These are the formal details of the vacancy:
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 20934
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
🗂️ Directorate: Director General's Services
📍 Workplace: Paris, FR
🏢 Location: ESA Headquarters, Paris, France
📣 Publication method: External Only
⏳ Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
The Office and Its Mission
The office is a compact, proactive and dedicated team embedded in the ESA Director General's Cabinet. The Head of the Office is the main advisor to the ESA Director General (DG) on matters linked to the use of space assets in support of resilience and crisis management, as well as defence matters (resolution 11 of the outcome of the Council at Ministerial level in 2025).
Who the Office Works With
The office interacts with all relevant ESA Directorates on these topics. In particular, it reaches out to the Ministries of Defence of ESA Member States as well as Associated States, through the outreach of the European Resilience in Space programme.
Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website, which is listed in the Links section below.
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Two Topics to Choose From
The vacancy lets you choose between two topics for the internship. Each topic is described in its own section below:
🛡️ Topic 1: ESA Member States national security policy and capabilities' review
💼 Topic 2: Space systems and dual-use: the case for ESA and commercial companies
Topic 1: National Security Policy and Capabilities Review
Topic 1 is a review of the national security policy and capabilities of ESA Member States. It supports the DG-OS daily work as well as the EU security, defence and space evolution.
What "Security from Space" Means
Security from Space aims at defining space contributions to mitigate security challenges on Earth. The vacancy names the impact of climate change on land, sea and air and how this affects local populations, including but not limited to human migration, human trafficking, illegal activities, border control and conflict areas. Space supports security crisis response.
What You Will Do on Topic 1
You will support the Office to:
🏛️ identify national policies of European states and their allies, the EU, as well as competitors regarding civil security, safety and protection
🔎 monitor existing national space capabilities and their link to security applications, and how and if they can network together in support of the European Resilience from Space (ERS) programme
Capability Gaps and Potential Cooperation
Monitoring national space capabilities entails the identification of capability gaps and of potential cooperation (Pooling and Sharing).
Topic 2: Space Systems and Dual-Use
Topic 2 is titled "Space systems and Dual-Use: the case for ESA and commercial companies". The vacancy notes that the commercial sector, both in the US and in Europe, is successfully developing solutions that were previously only pursued by government. This has led the US Space Force to work on fully integrating commercial solutions into the national security space architecture to maintain the US's competitive advantage in the sector.
Key Questions on Topic 2
You will support the Office in investigating key questions, such as:
🏆 How could ESA contribute to creating European commercial space champions in support of European space security and defense, so that Europe can leverage the use of commercial space solutions in a new "hybrid" architecture?
🌉 How could the US Space Force Commercial Space Strategy be translated into the European context?
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.
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.
Additional Requirements and Assets
During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored. Knowledge and background in Space Systems and the current European Defence Architecture 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. Applicants from Canada as a Cooperating State can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).
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.
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
What is the Senior Security Coordinator's Office internship about?
The intern supports the Senior Security Coordinator's Office in the ESA Director General's Cabinet. The Head of the Office is the main advisor to the Director General on the use of space assets in support of resilience, crisis management and defence matters. You choose between a topic on national security policy and capabilities and a topic on space systems and dual-use.
Where is the internship based?
The internship is based at ESA Headquarters in Paris, France, in the Director General's Services Directorate. The workplace is listed as Paris, FR.
What are the two topics I can choose from?
Topic 1 is the review of ESA Member States' national security policy and capabilities, in support of the DG-OS daily work and the EU security, defence and space evolution. Topic 2 is space systems and dual-use: the case for ESA and commercial companies.
What would I do on Topic 1?
You would support the Office in identifying the national policies of European states and their allies, the EU, as well as competitors regarding civil security, safety and protection. You would also monitor existing national space capabilities and their link to security applications, and how they can network together in support of the European Resilience from Space (ERS) programme.
What would I do on Topic 2?
You would support the Office in investigating key questions, such as how ESA could contribute to creating European commercial space champions in support of European space security and defense, and how the US Space Force Commercial Space Strategy could be translated into the European context.
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. Applicants from Canada (Cooperating State) and from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta (European Cooperating States) can apply as well.
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.
Is any background in space or defence required?
Knowledge and background in Space Systems and the current European Defence Architecture is listed as an asset, not as a requirement.
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.
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/Paris-Intern-in-the-Director-General's-Cabinet-Senior-Security-Coordinator's-Office/1452917433/
🌐 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
