The European Space Agency (ESA) is recruiting an Intern in the Science Operations Department to extend the AnomalyMatch machine-learning tool from images to spectra and light curves, based at ESAC in Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain. The internship lasts 3 to 6 months, starts from February 2027 onwards, and applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full vacancy and set out every task, requirement and condition below.
Vacancy at a Glance
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 20956
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
🔬 Directorate: Science
🏙️ Workplace: Villanueva de la Cañada, ES
📍 Location: ESAC, Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain
🌐 Publication method: external only
⏳ Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
🗓️ Duration: 3 to 6 months, from February 2027 onwards
The Internship Topic: Beyond Images
The topic of the internship is Beyond Images: Discovering Astronomical Anomalies in Light Curves and Spectra with AnomalyMatch.
Astronomical archives contain vast collections of spectra and light curves that may hide rare objects, unusual variability and unexpected physical phenomena. This project will extend AnomalyMatch to support such one-dimensional data.
What Is AnomalyMatch?
AnomalyMatch is a semi-supervised and active-learning framework for finding scientifically interesting anomalies from only a few labelled examples.
AnomalyMatch in the Hubble Archive and ESA Datalabs
AnomalyMatch recently received global press attention after discovering hundreds of previously unknown anomalies in the Hubble archive. It has demonstrated the capacity to trawl hundreds of millions of astronomical cutouts.
The tool is also integrated into ESA Datalabs, which allows researchers to apply it directly to large astronomical datasets and scalable computing resources.
Your Mission: From Images to Spectra and Light Curves
So far, AnomalyMatch has been limited to image data. During the internship you will:
🧠 Adapt the machine-learning methodology of AnomalyMatch for spectra and/or light curves.
💻 Adapt the AnomalyMatch software for spectra and/or light curves.
✅ Validate the resulting approach on real astronomical datasets.
Combining Measurements from Different Telescopes
The project may also explore combining measurements from different telescopes or instruments. This opens new possibilities for discovering objects that appear ordinary in one dataset but unusual when multiple observations are considered together.
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Where You Will Work: The Science Operations Department
The internship sits in the Science Operations Department of ESA's Science Directorate. Under the direct authority of D/SCI, the Head of the Science Operations Department is responsible for the development of the science operations infrastructure under the Directorate responsibility, the operation of the Directorate's missions once successfully commissioned, and the curation of all scientific data in the missions' legacy phase.
These responsibilities are discharged in full coordination with the Directorate's Departments and Offices and, as appropriate, with the Directorate of Operations (D/OPS).
The Three Divisions Supporting the Department
In implementing their duties, the Science Operations Department (SCI-S) is supported by three divisions:
🛰️ Mission Management and Science Operations Division (SCI-SO)
🧰 Science Operations Development Division (SCI-SD)
🗄️ Data Science and Archives Division (SCI-SA)
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.
Skills and Experience ESA Is Looking For
You should also have:
🐍 Strong Python programming skills
🤖 Background in machine learning and neural networks
🔥 Experience with PyTorch or a similar deep-learning framework
🌌 Familiarity with astronomical spectra, light curves or scientific data analysis would be advantageous
Working Languages
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.
Behavioural Competencies
The vacancy lists six ESA Core Behavioural Competencies:
🎯 Result Orientation
⚙️ Operational Efficiency
💬 Fostering Cooperation
📞 Relationship Management
📈 Continuous Improvement
🔭 Forward Thinking
For more information, the vacancy refers to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook.
Which Nationalities Can Apply?
Please note that 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).
Duration, Start Date and Application Limit
According to ESA's announcement for the 2027 student internships, an internship lasts 3 to 6 months and starts from February 2027 onwards. The exact start date is agreed with the ESA tutor.
A candidate can apply for up to two ESA internship opportunities.
Selection Tests and Interview
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.
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.
Support for Applicants with Disabilities
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. The contact email for this is listed at the end of this post.
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. The vacancy does not state an allowance for this internship.
Find more opportunities like this in our internship and traineeship listings on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the ESA AnomalyMatch internship take place?
The internship is based at ESAC in Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain, within the Science Operations Department of ESA's Science Directorate.
What will I work on during this internship?
You will adapt the machine-learning methodology and software of AnomalyMatch, which so far works only on image data, so that it supports spectra and/or light curves. You will then validate the approach on real astronomical datasets.
What is AnomalyMatch?
AnomalyMatch is a semi-supervised and active-learning framework for finding scientifically interesting anomalies from only a few labelled examples. It discovered hundreds of previously unknown anomalies in the Hubble archive and is integrated into ESA Datalabs.
Will I work with data from more than one telescope?
The project may also explore combining measurements from different telescopes or instruments, to find objects that look ordinary in one dataset but unusual when several observations are considered together.
How long is the internship and when does it start?
ESA internships last from 3 to 6 months and begin from February 2027 onwards. The start date is agreed with the ESA tutor.
Who is eligible to apply?
You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year at Master's level, and you must be able to prove that you will be enrolled at your university for the entire duration of the internship. You must also be a national of one of the States listed in the vacancy, including Canada as a Cooperating State and Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta as European Cooperating States.
Which technical skills do I need?
The vacancy asks for strong Python programming skills, a background in machine learning and neural networks, and experience with PyTorch or a similar deep-learning framework. Familiarity with astronomical spectra, light curves or scientific data analysis would be advantageous.
Which languages do I need?
The working languages of ESA 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 many ESA internships can I apply for?
A candidate can apply for up to two ESA internship opportunities.
Is an allowance stated in the vacancy?
No. The vacancy does not state an allowance for this internship.
What happens after I apply?
The Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.
What is the application deadline?
Applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST.
Deadline
⏳ 30 November 2026
Links
🔗 Apply now (ESA vacancy 20956): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Villanueva-de-la-Ca%C3%B1ada-Intern-in-the-Science-Operations-Department-Discovering-Astronomical-Anomalies-with-AnomalyMatch/1452874433/
📰 ESA Student Internships 2027: https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/ESA_Student_Internships_2027_are_now_open
🌌 ESA website: https://www.esa.int
📧 Contact for disability support: ESA.Student.Internships@esa.int
