The European Space Agency (ESA) is recruiting an intern for human research project management in its Human Exploration Science Office, part of the Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration, based at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands or EAC in Porz-Wahn, Germany. 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 user-facing software for human research projects, with a focus on how scientists interact with the Agency's Medical Boards.
ESA Human Research Project Management Internship: Key Facts
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21115
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
🚀 Directorate: Human and Robotic Exploration
🏙️ Workplace: Noordwijk, NL and Porz-Wahn, DE
📍 Location: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands or EAC, Porz-Wahn, Germany
🌐 Publication method: external only
🏷️ Vacancy title as published: Intern in the Human Exploration Science Office - Human Research Project Management
⏳ Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
Your Team: The Human Exploration Science Team
Within the Exploration Science Office of the Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration, the Human Exploration Science Team (HRE-SH) conducts research that enables future human space exploration while leveraging spaceflight and analogue platforms to advance knowledge and improve human health on Earth.
HRE-SH uses a wide range of terrestrial and (sub-)orbital research platforms, as well as the International Space Station (ISS), to investigate the effects of selected or combined spaceflight stressors on human health and performance.
Research Platforms Used by the Team
The platforms named in the vacancy are:
🛩️ Parabolic flight
💧 Dry immersion
🛏️ Bed rest
🏕️ Isolated and confined environments
🛰️ Spaceflight
Mission: Astronaut Health and Performance
The team's work focuses on the identification and mitigation of challenges to astronaut health and performance, to enable the safe exploration of European Astronauts to low-Earth orbit, the Moon, and beyond.
By leveraging the platforms developed for exploration, scientific experiments can also be conducted under unique conditions, generating benefits on Earth in fields such as healthcare, aging research, and health management.
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Who the Team Works With
HRE-SH works closely with international partners, astronauts, medical support, and the scientific community to define and address operational needs and scientific priorities.
For this internship, there will also be close coordination with the Exploration Software and Artificial Intelligence Office. Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website.
The Problem This Internship Addresses
Human Research activities involve information and workflows distributed across different processes and systems. Human Exploration Project Scientists need simple and reliable ways to access information relevant to their work, update it when necessary, and interact with complementary systems while avoiding duplicate processes. This includes interaction and coordination with the Agency's Medical Boards for human research projects.
Your Role During the Internship
You will contribute to the design and development of user-facing software built on the common Exploration Science data infrastructure, particularly supporting the interaction with the Agency's Medical Boards.
You will work with scientists and other users to understand operational needs, translate broad requirements into technical solutions, and implement maintainable application components. The work focuses on improving processes across life sciences projects while ensuring that the resulting software can be maintained and extended after the internship.
What You Will Do
Through this internship, you will:
🔎 Analyse user needs and existing workflows and translate them into software requirements for interaction with the Agency's Medical Boards
🖥️ Design and develop intuitive web-based interfaces for viewing, editing and validating human research science activity information
⚙️ Build application services that connect the user interface with the common Human Exploration Science data infrastructure
🔗 Integrate the application with relevant human research and Agency information systems
📋 Develop digital workflows for areas such as medical board interactions, project monitoring, proposal review, approval processes, publication validation and reporting
🔐 Implement authentication, authorisation, user roles and appropriate data-protection measures
🤖 Explore artificial-intelligence-supported functions for search, matching, extraction and validation where they provide clear user benefits across human exploration science activities
🧪 Test and document the application to support reliable maintenance and future development and expansion across human research applications
🎓 Receive mentorship and guidance by experts in the field
🌌 Work on solutions with a clear operational relevance in human exploration science
Who You Will Collaborate With
You will collaborate with colleagues developing the underlying data infrastructure and with users from life sciences and operational backgrounds.
Skills You Will Gain
Through the internship, you will gain practical experience in software architecture, web application development, systems integration, user-centred design, secure application development and the delivery of maintainable software in a multidisciplinary environment, with a specific focus on human research data and interaction with the Agency's Medical Boards.
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.
Preferred Background
A background in computer science, software engineering, information systems or a related technical discipline would be an asset.
Skills and Experience You Should Have
The vacancy lists these requirements:
💻 Strong programming skills and practical experience developing software applications
🌐 Experience with web applications, including frontend or user-interface development
🗄️ Familiarity with application programming interfaces, relational databases and version control
🧬 Interest and/or experience working with human research data, including sensitive data protection
🧭 An ability to translate user needs into intuitive and practical technical solutions
🛡️ An interest in user-centred design, data protection, secure development and maintainable software
🌠 Motivation to contribute within the field of human spaceflight and science management
Additional Assets
Experience with software deployment, authentication, artificial intelligence, or machine learning applications would be additional assets.
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 human research project management internship take place?
The internship is based at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands, or at EAC in Porz-Wahn, Germany, within the Human Exploration Science Office of the Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration.
What is the internship about?
It focuses on user-facing software for human research projects, built on the common Exploration Science data infrastructure, particularly supporting the interaction with the Agency's Medical Boards.
What will I work on during the internship?
You would analyse user needs, design web-based interfaces, build application services, integrate them with Agency information systems, develop digital workflows such as medical board interactions and proposal review, implement authentication and data protection, explore AI-supported functions, and test and document the application.
Which team would I join?
You would work with the Human Exploration Science Team (HRE-SH) in the Exploration Science Office, in close coordination with the Exploration Software and Artificial Intelligence Office.
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 background and skills are expected?
A background in computer science, software engineering, information systems or a related technical discipline would be an asset. You should have strong programming skills, experience with web applications, familiarity with application programming interfaces, relational databases and version control, and an interest in human research data and data protection.
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 21115): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Noordwijk-Intern-in-the-Human-Exploration-Science-Office-Human-Research-Project-Management/1452990933/
📰 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
