The European Space Agency (ESA) is recruiting an intern for CHIME enhanced spatial detection capabilities in its Earth Observation Projects Department at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands. Applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full vacancy: you would work with the CHIME system engineering and mission-performance teams on a tested software prototype for sharper hyperspectral satellite data.
ESA CHIME Internship: Key Facts
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21180
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
🚀 Directorate: Earth Observation Programmes
🏙️ Workplace: Noordwijk, NL
📍 Location: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
🌐 Publication method: external only
⏳ Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
The Team You Would Join: Earth Observation Projects Department
Within the Earth Observation Projects Department, the Copernicus Sentinel Expansion missions are currently under development. One of those missions is CHIME, the Copernicus Hyperspectral Imaging Mission for the Environment.
About CHIME: Hyperspectral Observations From Space
CHIME plans to carry a unique visible to shortwave infrared spectrometer. It is designed to provide routine hyperspectral observations that support new and enhanced services for sustainable agricultural and biodiversity management, as well as soil property characterisation.
Your Role: End-to-End Simulation and Data Product Reliability
You would join the CHIME project and work with the system engineering and mission-performance teams on end-to-end simulation, uncertainty propagation and the reliability of hyperspectral satellite data products.
Further Reading on the CHIME Mission
The vacancy points candidates to these resources for more details on the mission:
📡 ESA: Copernicus Sentinel Expansion missions
🎨 ESA: Going hyperspectral for CHIME
📖 CHIME: an overview of its mission, system and planning status (SPIE Proceedings Volume 12729, 1272909, 2023)
🧮 CHIME's end to end simulator (CHEES): simulating, testing and generating hyperspectral products
🗺️ Geolocation error impact on retrieval uncertainty: a new algorithm for high-resolution Earth observation missions
🌱 Examples of typical CHIME Level 2 products: Prototyping Vegetation Traits Models in the Context of the Hyperspectral Chime Mission Preparation (IEEE Conference Publication, IEEE Xplore)
🌾 Retrieval of carbon content and biomass from hyperspectral imagery over cultivated areas (ScienceDirect)
Candidates are also encouraged to visit the ESA website.
The Internship Topic: Enhanced Spatial Detection for an Imaging Spectrometer
The topic of the internship is enhanced spatial detection capabilities for the CHIME imaging spectrometer. The central question set by the vacancy: can imaging spectroscopy reveal materials smaller than a ground pixel, and can spatial enhancement improve their detection and quantification? You would investigate these questions for selected scientific applications using simulated or suitable reference observations.
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What You Will Do During the Internship
Your tasks would include:
🔍 Reviewing the baseline pixel-binning approach and the telescope, spectrometer and pixel contributions to spatial performance.
💻 Developing a simulation and prototype processing algorithm.
📊 Evaluating sensitivity to noise, channel misregistration and differences in scene content between wavelengths.
⚖️ Quantifying spatial improvement alongside any loss of radiometric accuracy or spectral fidelity.
📝 Documenting the expected improvements and limitations of the proposed approach.
🧭 Testing the methods using representative mission scenarios and discussing the results with mission scientists and industrial simulator teams.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the internship, you will be able to:
⚡ Assess how instrument modulation transfer function (MTF) affects CHIME's spatial resolution.
🧪 Develop reproducible simulation and reconstruction methods to compare the baseline product with potential enhanced products.
📈 Evaluate achievable spatial improvement and its sensitivity to noise, channel misregistration and spectral differences.
🗣️ Communicate quantitative evidence to scientific, engineering and industrial specialists.
The Expected Outcome: A Tested Software Prototype
The principal outcome will be a tested software prototype that enables a feasibility assessment quantifying the achievable spatial improvement relative to the baseline CHIME product.
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.
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.
Background and Experience You Should Have
During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored. You should also have:
⚗️ Background in physics, applied mathematics, Earth observation, signal processing or aerospace engineering.
🐍 Experience with Python, numerical modelling and statistical analysis.
🌫️ Familiarity with uncertainty propagation, sensitivity analysis or imaging spectroscopy is an asset.
Behavioural Competencies
ESA assesses candidates against its Core Behavioural Competencies. The vacancy lists these six:
🎯 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.
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.
Export Control and Sanctions Eligibility
Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.
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
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. 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 CHIME internship take place?
The internship is based at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands, within ESA's Earth Observation Projects Department in the Earth Observation Programmes directorate. You would join the CHIME project.
What is CHIME?
CHIME is the Copernicus Hyperspectral Imaging Mission for the Environment, one of the Copernicus Sentinel Expansion missions under development. It plans to carry a visible to shortwave infrared spectrometer that provides routine hyperspectral observations for agricultural and biodiversity management and soil property characterisation.
What will I work on during this internship?
You would investigate whether imaging spectroscopy can reveal materials smaller than a ground pixel and whether spatial enhancement can improve their detection and quantification. Tasks include reviewing the baseline pixel-binning approach, developing a simulation and prototype processing algorithm, evaluating sensitivity to noise and channel misregistration, and documenting improvements and limitations.
What is the expected outcome of the internship?
The principal outcome is a tested software prototype that enables a feasibility assessment quantifying the achievable spatial improvement relative to the baseline CHIME product.
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.
What background do I need?
You should have a background in physics, applied mathematics, Earth observation, signal processing or aerospace engineering, plus experience with Python, numerical modelling and statistical analysis. Familiarity with uncertainty propagation, sensitivity analysis or imaging spectroscopy is an asset.
How long is the internship and when does it start?
According to ESA's 2027 student internships announcement, internships last 3 to 6 months and begin from February 2027 onwards. The exact start date is agreed with the ESA tutor.
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, according to ESA's announcement for the 2027 student internships.
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.
Does the vacancy mention a stipend?
The vacancy does not state an allowance for this internship. ESA notes that the information on its careers website regarding internship conditions is correct at the time of publication but is not intended to be exhaustive.
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 21180): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Noordwijk-Intern-in-the-Earth-Observation-Projects-Department-CHIME-Enhanced-Spatial-Detection-Capabilities/1452878733/
📰 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
