The European Space Agency (ESA) is recruiting an intern for the Materials, Environments and Contamination Control Section (TEC-MSE) of its Mechanical 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 help develop new test methodologies for the thermal properties of adhesives and potting materials, using thermal analysis techniques in ESA's Materials and Electrical Components Laboratory.
ESA Materials Section Internship: Key Facts
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21049
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
🏛️ Directorate: Technology, Engineering and Quality
🏙️ Workplace: Noordwijk, NL
📍 Location: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
🌐 Publication method: external only
🏷️ Vacancy title as published: Intern in the Mechanical Department - Materials, Environments and Contamination Control Section
⏳ Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
Inside the Materials, Environments and Contamination Control Section
The Materials, Environments and Contamination Control Section (TEC-MSE) provides expert engineering support to ESA projects, conducts technology research, and develops and implements laboratory testing activities. TEC-MSE maintains a strong focus on space hardware qualification and the development of advanced laboratory capabilities, innovative environmental testing facilities, and non-standard test methods.
Four Areas of Laboratory Work
The section's testing activities focus on four areas:
🔬 Multi-faceted characterisation of materials (thermal, optical, chemical and physical properties evaluation) and associated processes.
☄️ Space environment effects and compatibility of materials, including atomic oxygen, particle irradiation, charging, UV exposure, and synergistic degradation mechanisms.
🧼 Cleanliness and contamination control, including particulate and molecular contamination, outgassing, UV- and laser-induced contamination, planetary dust, and gas lines purity.
🛡️ Flight safety related assessments, including habitable and pressurised environments, materials off-gassing, and toxicity.
Why Thermal Testing of Spacecraft Materials Matters
Spacecraft materials must perform reliably in all mission environments, and they are often exposed to harsh environments with temperatures from cryogenic conditions up to several hundred degrees Celsius.
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What the Internship Is About: Adhesives and Potting Materials
During this internship, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the development of new test methodologies related to the thermal properties of adhesives and potting materials.
Thermal Analysis Techniques You Will Use
The vacancy names these common thermal analysis techniques:
🌡️ Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)
🔥 Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)
📏 Thermomechanical Analysis (TMA)
🔧 Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA)
💧 Rheometry
Specific Topics You Will Investigate
🧬 Characterisation of novel materials for potting applications.
🗃️ Creation and population of a materials database for key engineering properties of adhesives for space applications.
⚖️ Understanding the relation between mechanical characterisation using DMA and standard tensile testing.
What Your Work Will Involve
📖 Literature research on common relevant materials and familiarisation with existing techniques and standards.
🧰 Familiarisation with the TEC-MSE laboratory and instruments.
🧪 Implementation of experimental test campaigns.
📊 Data analysis, uncertainty evaluation and documentation of results.
Working in an International Team with World-Leading Facilities
You will gain experience working in an international team of experts with varied backgrounds and you will use the world leading experimental facilities of the ESA/ESTEC Materials and Electrical Components Laboratory.
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.
Background and Motivation for Laboratory Work
Knowledge and background in materials, physics and chemistry or vacuum technologies will be an asset. The internship will have a significant experimental content, and so strong motivation to work in a laboratory environment is required.
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.
Applicants from Canada as a Cooperating State can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).
Export Control and Selection Tests
Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests.
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.
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 Materials, Environments and Contamination Control Section internship take place?
The internship is based at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands, within the Mechanical Department and the Technology, Engineering and Quality Directorate.
What will I work on during the internship?
You would contribute to the development of new test methodologies related to the thermal properties of adhesives and potting materials, using Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermomechanical Analysis (TMA), Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) and rheometry.
Which specific topics will I investigate?
The vacancy lists the characterisation of novel materials for potting applications, the creation and population of a materials database for key engineering properties of adhesives for space applications, and the relation between mechanical characterisation using DMA and standard tensile testing.
What will my day-to-day work involve?
Literature research and familiarisation with existing techniques and standards, familiarisation with the TEC-MSE laboratory and instruments, implementation of experimental test campaigns, and data analysis, uncertainty evaluation and documentation of results.
Which facilities will I use?
You would use the world leading experimental facilities of the ESA/ESTEC Materials and Electrical Components Laboratory, working in an international team of experts with varied backgrounds.
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 motivation does ESA expect?
Knowledge and background in materials, physics and chemistry or vacuum technologies will be an asset. The internship has significant experimental content, so strong motivation to work in a laboratory environment is required.
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 21049): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Noordwijk-Intern-in-the-Mechanical-Department-Materials%2C-Environments-and-Contamination-Control-Section/1452885833/
📰 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
