The European Space Agency (ESA) is recruiting an intern for the Space Environments and Effects Section in its Electrical 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 support numerical modelling of the near surface lunar environment, including plasma, transported dust and regolith behaviour, for surface missions currently under study.
ESA Space Environments and Effects Internship: Key Facts
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21031
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
🚀 Directorate: Technology, Engineering and Quality
🏙️ Workplace: Noordwijk, NL
📍 Location: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
🌐 Publication method: external only
⏳ Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
The Space Environments and Effects Section (TEC-EPS)
The Space Environments and Effects Section (TEC-EPS) supports the development of ESA missions and programmes by investigating the space environments within which they will operate, assessing likely effects and defining mitigation methods.
Which Space Environments the Section Studies
According to the vacancy, the environments addressed include:
☢️ High-energy radiation from radiation belts.
☀️ Solar particle events and cosmic rays.
🧲 Plasmas encountered in planetary magnetospheres.
🌬️ The solar wind and artificially generated charges and fields on spacecraft.
☄️ Micro-meteoroids and non trackable debris.
🌑 Planetary and lunar dust.
🪐 Planetary atmospheres.
Modelling, Software and Hardware R&D
The Section also initiates and manages a wide range of related modelling, software and hardware R&D activities. Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website.
Why the Lunar Surface Environment Matters
With an increasing worldwide interest in Lunar Exploration, ESA is engaged in the study of several surface missions, including major undertakings such as the Argonaut mission and the deployment of surface payloads, planned to operate from 2030 on.
In this context, mission preparation relies on meaningful evaluation of the detrimental effects of the near surface environment on surface assets, as well as impact on payloads response, including near surface plasma and lunar dust.
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What the Internship Focuses On
The internship will focus on supporting the team work on numerical modelling of the variability of near surface environments along the Lunar orbit and their interactions with systems of interest, in the context of missions currently under study.
The near surface environments named in the vacancy are plasma, transported dust and regolith behaviour.
What You Will Do During the Internship
🔬 Supporting the team work on numerical modelling of the variability of near surface environments (plasma, transported dust and regolith behaviour) along the Lunar orbit.
🛰️ Modelling their interactions with systems of interest, in the context of missions currently under study.
📚 Learning the basic physics associated with the processes at play.
💻 Running simulations using state-of-the-art diagnostic software tools used in the Agency, Academia and Industry.
🌌 Generalising the applicability of the approach to other airless bodies of interest for ESA science and exploration programmes.
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.
During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.
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 Space Environments and Effects internship take place?
The internship is based at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands, within the Space Environments and Effects Section (TEC-EPS) of ESA's Electrical Department in the Technology, Engineering and Quality directorate.
What does the Space Environments and Effects Section do?
The Section supports the development of ESA missions and programmes by investigating the space environments within which they will operate, assessing likely effects and defining mitigation methods. It also initiates and manages a wide range of related modelling, software and hardware R&D activities.
What will I work on during this internship?
You would support the team work on numerical modelling of the variability of near surface environments (plasma, transported dust and regolith behaviour) along the Lunar orbit and their interactions with systems of interest, in the context of missions currently under study.
Which missions is the work connected to?
The vacancy refers to several surface missions under study, including the Argonaut mission and the deployment of surface payloads, planned to operate from 2030 on.
Will I need to learn new tools?
Yes. According to the vacancy, you are expected to learn the basic physics associated with the processes at play and run simulations using state-of-the-art diagnostic software tools used in the Agency, Academia and Industry.
Is the work limited to the Moon?
No. The applicability of the approach is expected to be generalised to other airless bodies of interest for ESA science and exploration programmes.
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.
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 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.
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 21031): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Noordwijk-Intern-in-the-Elecrical-Department-Space-Environments-and-Effects-Section/1452881433/
📰 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
