The European Space Agency (ESA) is recruiting an intern for Strategic Communication Support in the Exploration Strategy Office of the Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration 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 raise awareness of space exploration and ESA's exploration programme among decision-makers, professional communities and the public.
ESA Strategic Communication Internship: Key Facts
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21130
🎓 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
Human and Robotic Exploration: Our Team and Mission
Using a partnership between humans and robots, the Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes (D/HRE) is dedicated to exploring destinations in space where humans are already living and working, or will live and work in the future, for the purpose of scientific research, economic development, international cooperation and public inspiration.
Inside the Exploration Strategy Office
The Exploration Strategy Office shapes the Directorate's strategy and policy in line with guidance from ESA leadership, Member States and advisory bodies. The vacancy lists these responsibilities of the Office:
🧭 Defining future directions for exploration in low Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars and beyond.
🗺️ Maintaining the long-term implementation roadmap.
📑 Translating strategic priorities into programme proposals for ESA Council meetings at ministerial level.
📈 Developing the Directorate's benefits plan.
🌐 Leading engagement in international exploration coordination fora.
🗣️ Coordinating internal and external communication.
🖼️ Managing exhibition assets and visual identities.
🔗 Acting as the interface with central ESA services on strategy, policy and communication matters.
Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website.
Your Mission: Making Space Exploration Visible
Working with the Strategy team, you will help strengthen awareness of space exploration, ESA's Human and Robotic Exploration programme and its benefits among decision-makers, space and non-space professional communities, and the public.
What You Would Contribute To
The vacancy states that you will contribute to the following activities:
🎨 Translating the directorate's strategy and objectives into a coherent visual identity and brand.
🚀 Using the running and planned exploration missions as a teaser to develop communication content that promotes the exploration benefits and strategy narrative.
📚 Initiatives to enlarge the evidence base of, and communicate about, exploration and socioeconomic, cooperation, political and science benefits.
💡 Designing and implementing innovative ways to make the directorate's activities more visible and accessible to the public and decision-makers.
📝 Developing communication strategies, campaign concepts, plans, content and briefing materials.
🏛️ Supporting the preparatory work to set up a communication strategy and plan for ESA's next Council meeting at Ministerial level.
Missions You Would Build Content Around
The vacancy gives these running and planned exploration missions as examples to use as a teaser for communication content:
🪐 Astronaut missions
🛰️ International Space Station
🌕 European Service Modules for Orion
🏗️ Argonaut
🔴 Rosalind Franklin Mission
Preparing for the Ministerial Council Meeting
One part of the internship is supporting the preparatory work for a communication strategy and plan for ESA's next Council meeting at Ministerial level. The vacancy names the elements of this work:
🎯 Defining objectives.
🔑 Defining key messages.
👥 Identifying target audiences.
📡 Choosing suitable channels.
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🌍 All opportunities in the Netherlands →
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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.
Essential Discipline
Specific competence in one of the following disciplines is essential: communication sciences, science communication, journalism and multimedia or similar.
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.
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 Strategic Communication Support internship take place?
The internship is based at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands, within the Exploration Strategy Office of ESA's Human and Robotic Exploration Directorate.
What will the intern work on?
Working with the Strategy team, you help strengthen awareness of space exploration, ESA's Human and Robotic Exploration programme and its benefits among decision-makers, space and non-space professional communities, and the public.
What does the Exploration Strategy Office do?
It shapes the Directorate's strategy and policy, defines future directions for exploration in low Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars and beyond, maintains the long-term implementation roadmap, and translates strategic priorities into programme proposals for ESA Council meetings at ministerial level. It also coordinates internal and external communication and manages exhibition assets and visual identities.
Which missions are used as examples for communication content?
The vacancy names Astronaut missions, the International Space Station, European Service Modules for Orion, Argonaut and the Rosalind Franklin Mission as running and planned exploration missions to use as a teaser for communication content.
How is the Ministerial Council meeting involved?
You would support the preparatory work to set up a communication strategy and plan for ESA's next Council meeting at Ministerial level, including defining objectives, key messages, target audiences and suitable channels.
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 field of study is needed?
Specific competence in communication sciences, science communication, journalism and multimedia or similar disciplines is essential.
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 21130): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Noordwijk-Intern-in-the-Exploration-Strategy-Office-Strategic-Communication-Support/1452998233/
📰 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
