The European Space Agency (ESA) is recruiting an intern for the Wave Interaction and Propagation Section of 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 performance assessment of the FORUM Earth observation mission, using its end-to-end simulator to assess expected mission performance.
ESA Wave Interaction and Propagation Internship: Key Facts
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21028
🎓 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 Wave Interaction and Propagation Section: Team and Mission
The Wave Interaction and Propagation Section covers the understanding of the behaviour of electromagnetic waves, from a few megahertz to optical wavelengths, in a variety of media, both natural and man-made, and environmental conditions. It also covers the application of this understanding to the development and exploitation of space systems.
This includes modelling, data analysis and algorithmic development, as well as experimental validation of models and algorithms. The section contributes to the performance assessment of space missions.
What the Section Covers
More specifically, the work of the section includes:
📡 Wave propagation relevant to space communications, navigation and remote sensing.
🌊 Wave interaction for active, passive and combined remote sensing of ocean, land and atmosphere of the Earth and other planets.
🧭 In-situ characterisation of the interaction and propagation environment.
💾 Payload data processing and data science techniques, simulation and performance evaluation tools.
Areas of Work Within the Section
For these topics, the section works on:
📐 Theoretical modelling and experimental validation.
🧮 Associated processing, mitigation, retrieval, correction and calibration algorithms for product generation. For remote sensing, this includes algorithmic developments relevant to the generation of Lvl1 (physical observable) and Lvl2 (geophysical quantity) data products.
🖼️ For remote sensing, design and validation of on-board processing functions and algorithms for payload data products, image processing and optical payload data compression.
📊 Contribution to mission performance assessment and to data products quality monitoring and improvement.
Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website.
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Field of Activity: The FORUM Mission
FORUM is the Far-infrared, Outgoing Radiation Understanding and Monitoring mission, a research mission of the Earth Observation Directorate. It will be the first mission to take global measurements of Earth's outgoing spectrum in the far-infrared at unprecedented resolution.
These data will be used to investigate climate feedback from water vapour and clouds and ultimately improve climate models.
The FORUM Payloads
FORUM will embark two payloads:
🔬 The FORUM Sounding Imager (FSI), a Fourier Transform Interferometer working in the 100 to 1600 cm-1 spectral region.
📷 The FORUM embedded Imager (FEI).
The Section's Role in FORUM
The Wave Interaction and Propagation Section provides expert support to the FORUM project on aspects related to instrument performances, Level 1 (from raw data to calibrated signal) and Level 2 (from calibrated signals to geophysical parameters) processors development, and mission performances evaluation.
What You Will Do During the Internship
In this position you would be involved in FORUM performance assessment activities:
🧪 Ingesting the outcome of the on-ground characterisation tests of the instrument as parametrisation of the FORUM end-to-end simulator, to assess expected performances of the mission. You would run several sensitivity studies as a function of geophysical scene, or settings of the ground processing algorithms, to assess the impact on the Level 1 products (calibrated signals).
🗂️ Using the FORUM end-to-end simulator, you would generate reference datasets to support (a) the assessment of the performances at Level 2 (geophysical retrievals), (b) further scientific activities and (c) the development of the operational ground segment.
🛠️ You could be involved in the prototyping of calibration algorithms for FORUM.
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 and Interview 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.
Skills and Background That Count as an Asset
Knowledge and background in optics (wave propagation and/or instrumentation) is an asset.
Additional Requirements
The vacancy lists these additional requirements:
🔢 Skills in numerical modelling and data analysis.
🐍 Experience in software development and coding in languages such as Python and Matlab (knowledge of C++ 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
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests.
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 Wave Interaction and Propagation internship take place?
The internship is based at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands, within the Wave Interaction and Propagation Section of ESA's Electrical Department in the Technology, Engineering and Quality directorate.
What does the Wave Interaction and Propagation Section do?
It covers the behaviour of electromagnetic waves, from a few megahertz to optical wavelengths, in natural and man-made media and environmental conditions, and applies this understanding to the development and exploitation of space systems. Its work includes modelling, data analysis, algorithmic development and experimental validation.
What is the FORUM mission?
FORUM is the Far-infrared, Outgoing Radiation Understanding and Monitoring mission, a research mission of the Earth Observation Directorate. It will be the first mission to take global measurements of Earth's outgoing spectrum in the far-infrared at unprecedented resolution, to investigate climate feedback from water vapour and clouds and ultimately improve climate models.
What will I work on during the internship?
You would be involved in FORUM performance assessment activities: ingesting the outcome of the on-ground instrument characterisation tests into the FORUM end-to-end simulator, running sensitivity studies, and generating reference datasets with the simulator. You could also be involved in the prototyping of calibration algorithms for FORUM.
What are Level 1 and Level 2 in this vacancy?
According to the vacancy, Level 1 means going from raw data to calibrated signal, and Level 2 means going from calibrated signals to geophysical parameters.
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 skills are an asset or required?
The vacancy lists skills in numerical modelling and data analysis, and experience in software development and coding in languages such as Python and Matlab. Knowledge of C++ and knowledge and background in optics (wave propagation and/or instrumentation) are an asset.
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.
Do I need to be eligible for export control and sanctions regulations?
Yes. Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.
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 21028): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Noordwijk-Intern-in-the-Electrical-Department-Wave-Interaction-and-Propagation-Section/1452881033/
📰 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
