The European Space Agency (ESA) is recruiting an intern for the Space Safety Programme Coordination Office at its Headquarters in Paris, France. Applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full vacancy: you would support the Head of the office with reports, briefs and presentations, and help run the Zero Debris Charter and space weather activities.
ESA Space Safety Internship in Paris: Key Facts
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21077
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
🚀 Directorate: Operations
🏙️ Workplace: Paris, FR
📍 Location: ESA Headquarters, Paris, France
🌐 Publication method: external only
⏳ Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
Our Team and Mission: The ESA Space Safety Department
The ESA Space Safety Department takes care of all potential hazards and threats from space or in space that can impact human activities, infrastructure or related applications. The spectrum of tasks ranges from gathering a basic understanding of space hazards originating from the Sun, from human space debris, or from asteroids potentially colliding with the Earth, to basic approaches to mitigate these hazards and to implement space systems end-to-end in a sustainable and eco-compatible way.
Several cornerstone missions are underway to demonstrate basic methods of space weather forecasting, asteroid deflection and active space debris removal from orbit.
Who Is Who in the Space Safety Department
To carry out these tasks, the Space Safety Department has the following entities:
🛠️ Mission Implementation Division (OPS-SM)
🗂️ COSMIC Project Management Office (OPS-SC)
☀️ Space Weather Office (OPS-SW)
☄️ Planetary Defence Office (OPS-SP)
🧹 Space Debris Office (OPS-SD)
♻️ Clean Space & Circular Economy Office (OPS-SY)
📻 Frequency Management Office (OPS-SF)
🧭 Programme Coordination Office (OPS-SX)
What the Programme Coordination Office Does
The Space Safety Programme Coordination Office is responsible for leading strategic and coordination activities relating to the ESA Space Safety Programme, in close cooperation with the Programme division and offices. The work includes, but is not restricted to:
🎯 Programme strategy
🔮 Identification of future activities
📋 Managing the programme board
🌐 Overseeing international and European relations
🏭 Managing industry relations
📣 Managing the programme's communication activities
Candidates are also encouraged to visit the ESA website.
Your Role: Supporting the Head of the Office in Paris
You will be based at the European Space Agency (ESA) Headquarters in Paris. During this internship, you will support the Head of the Space Safety Programme Coordination Office in a number of their duties through the preparation of reports, briefs, background material and presentations for the coordinators' interactions with:
🏛️ The rest of the Agency
🇪🇺 ESA Member States
🤝 Other partners, for example foreign agencies, industry and the EU
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🌍 All opportunities in France →
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Strategic Space Safety Initiatives: Zero Debris Charter and Space Weather
You will also be involved in the operations of the Strategic Space Safety Initiatives, especially on activities related to the Zero Debris Charter and space weather services.
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.
Additional Requirements and Profile
During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored. The vacancy also lists:
🔬 Academic and/or practical experience in both engineering/science and social science would be a strong asset.
🗓️ Due to the nature of the post, a commitment of six months is preferred, depending on the candidate's availability.
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.
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
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 Space Safety internship take place?
The internship is based at the ESA Headquarters in Paris, France, within the Space Safety Programme Coordination Office (OPS-SX) in the Operations directorate.
What will I do during this internship?
You would support the Head of the Space Safety Programme Coordination Office by preparing reports, briefs, background material and presentations for interactions with the rest of the Agency, ESA Member States and partners such as foreign agencies, industry and the EU. You would also be involved in the Strategic Space Safety Initiatives, especially the Zero Debris Charter and space weather services.
What does the Space Safety Programme Coordination Office do?
It leads strategic and coordination activities for the ESA Space Safety Programme, including programme strategy, identification of future activities, managing the programme board, international and European relations, industry relations and the programme's communication activities.
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 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.
Is a particular academic background required?
The vacancy states that academic and/or practical experience in both engineering/science and social science would be a strong 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. For this post, a commitment of six months is preferred, depending on your availability.
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 21077): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Paris-Intern-in-the-Space-Safety-Programme-Coordination-Office/1452799133/
📰 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
