The European Space Agency (ESA) is offering an internship in its CAVES and PANGAEA team at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Porz-Wahn, Germany, working on the mineralogical and spectroscopic data side of the PANGAEA Analytical Toolset. 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 eligibility rule below.
The Internship at a Glance
The internship sits within ESA's Human and Robotic Exploration Directorate. These are the formal details of the vacancy:
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21136
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
🏛️ Directorate: Human and Robotic Exploration
📍 Workplace: Porz-Wahn, DE
🗺️ Location: EAC, Porz-Wahn, Germany
📣 Publication method: External Only
📅 Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
Where You Will Be Based: EAC in Porz-Wahn
The internship is located at EAC in Porz-Wahn, Germany. The vacancy lists Porz-Wahn, DE as the workplace for the role within the Human and Robotic Exploration Directorate.
The CAVES and PANGAEA Team and Its Mission
The CAVES and PANGAEA team specialises in training programmes that equip astronauts and mission developers with scientific, expeditionary and behavioural skills. Complementary to their training goals, these programmes are used as research and development platforms to advance several of ESA's technological, scientific and operational areas.
Two Training Programmes: CAVES and PANGAEA
The group's primary output is focused around two training programmes:
🕳️ CAVES: a course that uses natural cave systems for expeditionary and human behavioural and performance training
🌋 PANGAEA: a course for geological and astrobiological field training
The PANGAEA Analytical Toolset: MinDB and Machine Learning
One tool developed for PANGAEA and future missions is the PANGAEA Analytical Toolset. It comprises two parts:
🗄️ The Mineralogical Database (MinDB): a curated collection of information on all the minerals found on the Moon, Mars and in meteorites
🤖 The Machine Learning (ML) software: it combines deep learning multi-class and multi-label classification algorithms analysing fused multi-modal spectroscopic measurements, enabling a significant accuracy increase of mineral and rock recognition
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What This Internship Focuses On
Interns are sought to contribute to the ongoing expansion, enhancement, and integration of the Mineralogical & Spectroscopic data analysis and curation part of the PANGAEA analytical toolset.
Working alongside Machine Learning developers, interns will collect, organise, and evaluate analytical data to ensure training datasets meet scientific standards, while offering subject matter expertise to guide mineral identification algorithms development.
Your Key Responsibilities
The vacancy lists the following key responsibilities:
📚 Expanding, curating and quality-assessing multi-spectral archives within the Mineralogical Database, focusing on its analytical reference library, validation mineral samples, and petrographic information catalogue of planetary analogue minerals and rocks
🧪 Assisting in validation of spectral identification methods through expert review of ML outputs
🚀 Supporting PANGAEA training course development, where additional opportunities might arise
When the Internship Starts and How Long It Lasts
ESA is looking for internships to start throughout 2027. Candidates are invited to state their preferred starting date in the cover letter.
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.
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.
Skills and Experience the Vacancy Looks For
During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored. Candidates should demonstrate good understanding and practical experience in the following areas:
📊 Utilising, processing, and analysing data from analytical methods and instrumentation; familiarity with molecular and atomic spectroscopy techniques such as Visible and Near-Infrared (VNIR), Raman, Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) is highly desirable
🔍 Ability to evaluate spectral data quality and interpret analytical outcomes to ensure scientific integrity before data integration into the codebase
🏗️ Experience with data architecture, digital information catalogues, databases and scientific data operation pipelines
🐍 Practical experience with Python and scientific data processing, analysis, storage and visualising libraries (e.g. NumPy, JAX, Matplotlib, SQLite)
🪐 Familiarisation with geochemistry, mineralogy and petrology, or attendance of courses related to planetary geology, astrobiology or planetology would be considered a valuable asset
Behavioural Competencies
The vacancy lists the following 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.
Eligible Nationalities
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.
Selection Process and Export Control
During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored. During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests.
Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.
How to Apply
Candidates are invited to state their preferred starting date in the cover letter.
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. The vacancy does not state a stipend or allowance. You can find more opportunities like this in the internships and traineeships section of Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the PANGAEA Analytical Toolset internship based?
The internship is based at EAC in Porz-Wahn, Germany, within ESA's Human and Robotic Exploration Directorate. The vacancy lists Porz-Wahn, DE 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 is the PANGAEA Analytical Toolset?
It is a tool developed for PANGAEA and future missions. It comprises the Mineralogical Database (MinDB), a curated collection of information on all the minerals found on the Moon, Mars and in meteorites, and the Machine Learning software that analyses fused multi-modal spectroscopic measurements to improve mineral and rock recognition.
What will I do as a PANGAEA Analytical Toolset intern?
You will help expand, curate and quality-assess multi-spectral archives within the Mineralogical Database, assist in validating spectral identification methods through expert review of ML outputs, and support PANGAEA training course development where additional opportunities might arise. You will work alongside Machine Learning developers.
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 Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and 22 others named in the vacancy.
When does the internship start and how long does it last?
The vacancy looks for internships to start throughout 2027, and candidates state their preferred starting date in the cover letter. According to ESA's 2027 student internships announcement, an internship lasts between 3 and 6 months and starts from February 2027, with the exact start date 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.
Which skills and experience does the vacancy look for?
The vacancy looks for practical experience in analysing data from analytical methods and instrumentation, evaluating spectral data quality, working with data architecture, databases and scientific data pipelines, and using Python with libraries such as NumPy, JAX, Matplotlib and SQLite. Familiarity with VNIR, Raman, LIBS and XRF is highly desirable.
Do I need a geology background?
Familiarisation with geochemistry, mineralogy and petrology, or attendance of courses related to planetary geology, astrobiology or planetology, would be considered a valuable asset. Your motivation for applying to the role will also be explored during the interview.
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.
Is the internship paid?
The vacancy 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, and applicants must be eligible to access information, technology and hardware subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.
Deadline
⏳ 30 November 2026
Links
🔗 Full vacancy and application (Apply now): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Porz-Wahn-Intern-in-the-CAVES-&-PANGAEA-Team-Development-of-the-PANGAEA-Analytical-Toolset/1453000733/
📄 Detailed information on this internship position: https://www.esa.int/About_Us/EAC/Space_training_team_Planetary_Mineral_Database_Development_and_Validation_of_Spectra_Classification_Methods
🧭 What is PANGAEA: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/CAVES_and_Pangaea/What_is_PANGAEA
🕳️ What is CAVES: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/CAVES_and_Pangaea/What_is_CAVES
📘 ESA Student Internships 2027 announcement: https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/ESA_Student_Internships_2027_are_now_open
🌐 ESA website: http://www.esa.int
📧 ESA student internships contact (diversity and accessibility questions): ESA.Student.Internships@esa.int
