The European Space Agency (ESA) is recruiting an intern for the EnVision Project in its Projects 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 use Venus Express aerobraking measurements to improve how atmospheric variability and gravity-wave activity are represented in EnVision aerobraking simulations.
ESA EnVision Venus Atmosphere Internship: Key Facts
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 20951
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
🏛️ Directorate: Science
🏙️ Workplace: Noordwijk, NL
📍 Location: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
🌐 Publication method: external only
🏷️ Vacancy title as published: Intern in the Projects Department - EnVision Project: Venus Atmospheric Variability and Gravity Waves
⏳ Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
About the EnVision Mission
EnVision was selected by ESA's Science Programme Committee as the fifth Medium-class mission in the Agency's Cosmic Vision plan, with a launch in the early 2030s from ESA's Spaceport in Kourou. It will be the first mission to investigate Venus from its inner core to its upper atmosphere, characterising the interaction between its different envelopes: its atmosphere, surface/subsurface and interior.
The mission aims to provide a holistic view of Venus, studying the planet's history, activity, and climate.
The Science Payload
EnVision's science payload consists of:
📡 VeraSAR, a dual polarisation S-band radar also operating as microwave radiometer and altimeter, which will map the surface of Venus.
🔭 Three optical spectrometers (VenSpec-M, VenSpec-U and VenSpec-H) designed to observe the surface and atmosphere of Venus.
🛰️ The Subsurface Radar Sounder (VeSper), a High Frequency (HF) sounding radar to probe the top kilometres of subsurface.
These are complemented by a Radio Science investigation exploiting the spacecraft Telemetry Tracking and Command (TT&C) system to map the planet's gravity field and constrain its internal structure, and to measure the composition and structure of Venus' atmosphere.
The EnVision Project Team
The EnVision project team is responsible for implementing the EnVision mission, composed of all its elements: Spacecraft, Instruments and Ground Segment.
The Mission and Performance Team
The role of the Mission and Performance team within the EnVision project is to ensure that the mission will fulfil its mission requirements by rigorous requirements apportioning, defining and controlling interfaces between elements, and verifying the requirements by establishing end-to-end performance budgets, supported as needed by mission performance simulations.
The team is directly interfacing with all stakeholders of the mission: industry, the mission operations centre at ESOC in Germany, the Science Operations centre at ESAC in Spain, the launcher provider, the science team and the instrument teams.
────────────────────────────────────────
🌍 All opportunities in the Netherlands →
────────────────────────────────────────
Mission-Level Tools and Budgets
The Mission and Performance team develops and maintains mission-level tools and budgets, for example the Delta V budget and aerobraking scenarios. It also maintains mission performance simulators for both the aerobraking and scientific parts of the mission, performs relevant mission-level analyses and leads mission-level trade-offs.
Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website, which is listed at the end of this post.
Topic of the Internship
🌬️ Representation of Venus atmospheric variability and gravity-wave activity
Starting Point: Venus Express Aerobraking Data
The internship will exploit accelerometer measurements acquired during the Venus Express aerobraking campaign to constrain the representation of atmospheric variability and gravity-wave activity used in EnVision aerobraking simulations.
Comparing Observations with Venus Climate Database Simulations
Following the reconstruction of atmospheric-density profiles from the Venus Express measurements, Venus Climate Database simulations will be generated for conditions representative of the corresponding Venus Express passes. The simulations will be compared with the observed density levels, variability and spectral content.
Building a Parametric Model of Density Perturbations
You will develop a parametric representation of the measured density perturbations, for example based on a superposition of wave trains, and derive distributions for the associated amplitudes, wavelengths and phases.
The ability of both the Venus Climate Database and the parametric model to reproduce the flight observations and their resulting aerodynamic effects will be assessed.
Applying the Approach to EnVision Trajectories
The resulting modelling approach will then be applied to representative EnVision trajectories to generate reference atmospheric-density disturbance scenarios.
What the Disturbance Scenarios Will Support
These scenarios will support, in particular:
🎛️ Attitude and Orbit Control System simulations.
🔩 Thermo-mechanical fatigue analyses of spacecraft appendages, including the solar arrays.
Aerobraking Monte Carlo Analyses
Time permitting, you will also contribute to relevant EnVision aerobraking Monte Carlo analyses.
Teams You Will Work With
Throughout the internship, you will collaborate closely with the mission analysis, system engineering, payload and science teams, as well as environment experts of the technical directorate.
The internship offers a unique opportunity to gain end-to-end insight into planetary mission design and to make a meaningful contribution to the preparation of a major European planetary exploration mission.
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.
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.
Languages, Skills and Interview
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.
Knowledge and background in Python is an asset, as well as the ability to work autonomously.
During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.
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.
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 EnVision Venus atmosphere internship take place?
The internship is based at ESTEC, ESA's European Space Research and Technology Centre, in Noordwijk, Netherlands. You would be part of the EnVision project team in the Projects Department, in the Science Directorate.
What is the EnVision mission?
EnVision is the fifth Medium-class mission in ESA's Cosmic Vision plan, with a launch planned in the early 2030s from ESA's Spaceport in Kourou. It will be the first mission to investigate Venus from its inner core to its upper atmosphere.
What is the topic of the internship?
The topic is the representation of Venus atmospheric variability and gravity-wave activity. The work constrains the representation used in EnVision aerobraking simulations, using accelerometer measurements from the Venus Express aerobraking campaign.
What would I actually do?
After atmospheric-density profiles are reconstructed from the Venus Express measurements, Venus Climate Database simulations are generated for representative conditions and compared with the observed density levels, variability and spectral content. You would develop a parametric representation of the measured density perturbations, for example based on a superposition of wave trains, and derive distributions for amplitudes, wavelengths and phases.
How will the results be used?
The approach is applied to representative EnVision trajectories to generate reference atmospheric-density disturbance scenarios. These support Attitude and Orbit Control System simulations and thermo-mechanical fatigue analyses of spacecraft appendages, including the solar arrays.
Will I work on Monte Carlo analyses?
Time permitting, you will also contribute to relevant EnVision aerobraking Monte Carlo analyses.
Who will I work with?
You would collaborate closely with the mission analysis, system engineering, payload and science teams, as well as environment experts of the technical directorate.
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 does ESA consider an asset?
Knowledge and background in Python is an asset, as well as the ability to work autonomously. Knowledge of another ESA Member State language is also 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.
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 20951): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Noordwijk-Intern-in-the-Projects-Department-EnVision-ProjectVenus-Atmospheric-Variability-and-Gravity-Waves/1452872833/
📰 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
