The European Space Agency (ESA) is recruiting an intern for the Exploration Science Office, focused on Data Infrastructure, 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 help design and build a common data infrastructure that brings ESA's Exploration Science projects, teams, facilities and results into one reliable view.
ESA Exploration Science Data Infrastructure Internship: Key Facts
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21117
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
🏛️ Directorate: Human and Robotic Exploration
🏙️ Workplace: Noordwijk, NL
📍 Location: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
🌐 Publication method: external only
⏳ Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
Our Team and Mission: ESA Exploration Science
Within the European Space Agency (ESA)'s Directorate for Human and Robotic Exploration, the Exploration Science activities are a cornerstone of the Explore2040 strategy, driving innovation at the intersection of human exploration and scientific discovery.
The programme integrates exploration-focused science, essential for future missions, with exploration-enabled science, leveraging space for groundbreaking research.
Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website.
Where Exploration Science Takes Place
With access to the following environments, the programme offers unique opportunities for transformative research in diverse settings:
⛰️ Ground-based analogues
🛰️ The International Space Station (ISS)
🏢 Future commercial low Earth orbit (LEO) platforms
🚪 The Lunar Gateway
🌙 The Moon
🔴 Mars
The Values Behind the Programme
Guided by European values of collaboration, excellence, and responsibility, the programme emphasizes:
🔓 Open science
🌍 International cooperation
✨ Inspiring future generations
From developing countermeasures for spaceflight to searching for life on Mars, ESA Exploration Science advances knowledge for space and Earth alike.
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The Challenge: Information Spread Across Files and Systems
Exploration Science activities rely on information about science projects, research teams, organisations, facilities, milestones and scientific outputs.
Part of this information is currently distributed across different files and systems, making it difficult to maintain a consistent and authoritative view of ongoing activities and their results.
Your Role in the Internship
During this internship, you will contribute to the development of a common data infrastructure for Exploration Science. Working with existing data sources (scientific publications, archiving tools) and user requirements, you will help design and implement reliable ways to structure, integrate, validate and maintain this information.
Your work will provide the data foundation for user-facing applications, reporting and future analysis.
What You Will Do
Through this internship, you will:
🔍 Analyse existing data sources and translate information requirements into a structured data model.
🗃️ Design and implement a relational database with appropriate data-integrity rules.
🔁 Build repeatable processes to migrate, clean and transform existing data.
🔌 Develop data pipelines and interfaces for retrieving information from external sources, including scientific publication metadata.
✅ Implement data-quality methods for validation, provenance, deduplication and entity matching.
🧩 Create reusable data services for applications and reporting tools.
📝 Test and document the data infrastructure to support long-term maintenance and future development.
Who You Will Work With
You will work closely with colleagues developing user-facing applications that use this common data infrastructure.
What You Will Gain
Through the internship, you will gain practical experience in a multidisciplinary environment in the following areas:
🏗️ Data architecture
🧮 Relational database development
🔗 Application programming interfaces
🧼 Data quality
🔬 Scientific information management
🛠️ The development of maintainable data systems
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.
Background That Counts as an Asset
A background in computer science, data engineering, software engineering, data science or a related technical discipline would be an asset.
Skills You Should Have
The vacancy states that you should have:
💻 Good programming skills, preferably in Python
🗄️ Practical knowledge of Structured Query Language (SQL), relational databases and data modelling
🔗 Familiarity with application programming interfaces and version control
🔐 An interest in data quality, data protection and maintainable software
Additional Experience That Counts as an Asset
Experience with the following would be an additional asset:
🚰 Data pipelines
🤖 Machine learning
🧪 Automated testing
📦 Containerisation
📚 Scientific data sources
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 Exploration Science Data Infrastructure internship take place?
The internship is based at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands, within the Exploration Science Office of ESA's Directorate for Human and Robotic Exploration.
What will I work on during this internship?
You will contribute to the development of a common data infrastructure for Exploration Science. Working with existing data sources and user requirements, you will help design and implement reliable ways to structure, integrate, validate and maintain information about science projects, research teams, organisations, facilities, milestones and scientific outputs.
Why does Exploration Science need a common data infrastructure?
Part of the information on Exploration Science activities is currently distributed across different files and systems, which makes it difficult to maintain a consistent and authoritative view of ongoing activities and their results. Your work would provide the data foundation for user-facing applications, reporting and future analysis.
Which tasks are listed for the internship?
The vacancy lists seven tasks: analysing existing data sources and translating requirements into a structured data model, designing and implementing a relational database with data-integrity rules, building repeatable processes to migrate, clean and transform data, developing data pipelines and interfaces for external sources such as scientific publication metadata, implementing data-quality methods, creating reusable data services, and testing and documenting the infrastructure.
Which data quality methods are mentioned?
The vacancy names validation, provenance, deduplication and entity matching.
Who will I work with?
You will work closely with colleagues developing user-facing applications that use this common data infrastructure.
What experience will I gain?
You will gain practical experience in data architecture, relational database development, application programming interfaces, data quality, scientific information management and the development of maintainable data systems in a multidisciplinary environment.
Which skills should I have?
You should have good programming skills, preferably in Python, practical knowledge of Structured Query Language, relational databases and data modelling, familiarity with application programming interfaces and version control, and an interest in data quality, data protection and maintainable software.
What counts as an additional asset?
A background in computer science, data engineering, software engineering, data science or a related technical discipline would be an asset. Experience with data pipelines, machine learning, automated testing, containerisation or scientific data sources would be an additional asset.
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.
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 21117): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Noordwijk-Intern-in-the-Exploration-Science-Office-Data-Infrastructure/1452988233/
📰 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
