The European Space Agency (ESA) is offering an internship in the Human Exploration Science Office at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Porz-Wahn, Germany, where you will support research on Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training as an exercise countermeasure for astronaut health. 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: 21119
🎓 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 Human Exploration Science Team and Its Mission
Within the Exploration Science Office of the Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration, the Human Exploration Science Team (HRE-SH) conducts research that enables future human space exploration while leveraging spaceflight and analogue platforms to advance knowledge and improve human health on Earth.
HRE-SH uses a wide range of terrestrial and (sub-) orbital research platforms, as well as the International Space Station (ISS), to investigate the effects of selected or combined spaceflight stressors on human health and performance.
Research Platforms the Team Works With
The platforms used by the team include:
✈️ Parabolic flight
💧 Dry immersion
🛏️ Bed rest
🏕️ Isolated and confined environments
🛰️ Spaceflight
Why This Research Matters for Astronauts and for Earth
The team's work focuses on the identification and mitigation of challenges to astronaut health and performance, to enable the safe exploration of European Astronauts to low-Earth orbit, the Moon, and beyond.
By leveraging the platforms developed for exploration, scientific experiments can also be conducted under unique conditions, generating benefits on Earth in fields such as healthcare, ageing research, and health management. HRE-SH works closely with international partners, astronauts, medical support, and the scientific community to define and address operational needs and scientific priorities.
Background: Why Blood Flow Restriction Training
Prolonged exposure to microgravity induces cardiovascular and musculoskeletal deconditioning, making effective exercise countermeasures essential for maintaining astronaut health during long-duration space missions. Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training is a promising strategy to enhance the efficiency of these countermeasures.
By partially restricting blood flow to the limbs using pressurised cuffs during exercise, BFR can induce physiological adaptations typically associated with high-intensity training while using substantially lower exercise loads.
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What Is Still Unknown About BFR in Spaceflight
BFR has the potential to improve training effectiveness and/or reduce the time required for exercise before, after, and potentially during spaceflight. Although BFR is increasingly applied in sports performance, rehabilitation, and clinical practice on Earth, its efficacy and safety under spaceflight-relevant conditions remain insufficiently understood.
In particular, spaceflight-associated physiological stressors may alter the cardiovascular and haemodynamic responses to BFR. Furthermore, the effects of BFR on blood coagulation and its potential role in the development of venous thromboembolism require further investigation before the technique can be considered for operational use in human spaceflight.
What This Internship Contributes
This internship will contribute to ongoing research investigating BFR as a potential countermeasure for spaceflight-induced physiological deconditioning. The work will help improve our understanding of the safety, physiological responses, and optimal application of BFR, supporting the development of future exercise countermeasure strategies.
Objectives of the Internship
The intern will contribute to research investigating the physiological responses and potential applications of BFR in spaceflight analogue environments. The focus will be on cardiovascular and coagulation responses, with the aim to define benefits and limitations of BFR as a countermeasure for human exploration missions.
Your Main Activities
The main activities related to the overall research initiative include:
🧪 Supporting experimental studies and physiological data collection
📈 Analysing and interpreting human physiology data from ongoing research
📝 Contributing to scientific reports, presentations, and publications related to human spaceflight and countermeasures
What You Will Gain Through This Internship
Through this internship, you will:
🧭 Receive close mentorship and guidance from experienced researchers in space physiology and medicine
🛠️ Gain hands-on experience with blood flow restriction and human physiology research
📊 Develop skills in data analysis, scientific writing, and critical thinking
🔬 Learn how analogue studies support human space exploration
⚕️ Gain insight into space medicine and astronaut health
🌐 Work in an international and interdisciplinary research team
When the Internship Starts and How Long It Lasts
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.
Desired Assets and Skills
During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored. The vacancy lists these desired assets:
🩺 Background in medicine, sports science, physiology, and/or health sciences
🏋️ Experience in Blood Flow Restriction, human spaceflight physiology, and/or biomedical engineering
🧮 Experience with data analysis, statistics, or scientific writing
🌌 Familiarity with research related to spaceflight, extreme environments, or analogue studies is desirable
The ability to work independently and communicate effectively in an international team is required.
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 Tests and Export Control
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.
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 Blood Flow Restriction Training 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 Blood Flow Restriction training?
Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training partially restricts blood flow to the limbs using pressurised cuffs during exercise. It can induce physiological adaptations typically associated with high-intensity training while using substantially lower exercise loads.
Why does ESA research BFR for spaceflight?
Prolonged exposure to microgravity induces cardiovascular and musculoskeletal deconditioning, so effective exercise countermeasures are essential for astronaut health on long-duration missions. BFR has the potential to improve training effectiveness and/or reduce the time required for exercise before, after, and potentially during spaceflight.
What will I do as a BFR training intern?
You will support experimental studies and physiological data collection, analyse and interpret human physiology data from ongoing research, and contribute to scientific reports, presentations, and publications related to human spaceflight and countermeasures. The focus is on cardiovascular and coagulation responses.
What will I gain from the internship?
You will receive close mentorship from experienced researchers in space physiology and medicine, gain hands-on experience with blood flow restriction and human physiology research, and develop skills in data analysis, scientific writing, and critical thinking. You will also learn how analogue studies support human space exploration and work in an international and interdisciplinary research team.
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?
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 background does the vacancy prefer?
The vacancy lists a background in medicine, sports science, physiology, and/or health sciences as a desired asset. Experience in Blood Flow Restriction, human spaceflight physiology, and/or biomedical engineering, and experience with data analysis, statistics, or scientific writing, are also listed. Your motivation for applying will 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-Human-Exploration-Science-Office-Blood-Flow-Restriction-Training/1452991033/
📘 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
