The European Space Agency (ESA) is recruiting an intern for Strategic Materials and Chemicals Regulatory Risk Analysis in the Systems 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: the internship supports the resilience of the supply of materials for the European space sector.
ESA Strategic Materials and Chemicals Internship: Key Facts
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21056
🎓 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 Systems Department - Strategic Materials and Chemicals Regulatory Risk Analysis
⏳ Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
Your Team: The Sustainability Engineering & Standards Section
The Sustainability Engineering & Standards Section (TEC-SFS), part of ESA's Future Engineering Division (TEC-SF), supports the development and implementation of sustainable engineering approaches across ESA programmes and projects.
The section works at the intersection of system engineering, sustainability and innovation, helping to ensure that future space systems are designed, developed and operated in a more sustainable, efficient and responsible manner.
How the Team Supports ESA Projects
The team supports ESA projects from the earliest mission definition phases through technology development and implementation. It helps projects integrate sustainability objectives into system design, engineering trades, verification approaches and operational concepts.
EU/UK REACH Regulation and Chemicals Compliance
The Section also encompasses activities related to the EU/UK REACH regulation for environmental safety. It supports all ESA programmes in regulatory compliance, maps the use of materials and chemicals, advocates for their continued use where necessary, and mitigates emerging risks of premature obsolescence.
The vacancy invites interested candidates to visit the ESA website, listed in the Links section below.
Topic of the Internship: Strategic Materials and Chemicals Regulatory Risk Analysis
During this internship, you will support activities aimed at improving the resilience of the supply of materials for the European space sector.
You will investigate strategic raw materials, chemicals and advanced materials used in space applications and map their supply chains and key European and non-European dependencies.
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Assessing Future Availability and Supply Risks
You will assess factors that could affect the future availability of these materials, including regulatory developments, industrial changes and geopolitical risks.
You will contribute to identifying emerging vulnerabilities and possible measures to reduce supply risks and strengthen European capabilities.
Working With Specialists and Improving ESA Tools
You will work closely with specialists in sustainable engineering, standardisation and chemicals regulation.
You will also help translate your findings into improvements to internal materials and regulatory databases and tools.
A Risk Measurement Approach
One of the objectives will be to develop a risk measurement approach that combines technology maturity, regulatory, geopolitical and potentially other relevant aspects.
What You Will Learn
Through this work, you will learn:
🛠️ How materials and space-specific manufacturing processes are used across the sector
🏭 How the complexity of industrial supply chains is assessed
📜 How regulatory, industrial and geopolitical developments can affect the availability of critical technologies
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 and Additional 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
Knowledge and background in European environmental and chemical regulations, software development, or material/chemical engineering is an asset.
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.
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 Strategic Materials and Chemicals internship take place?
The internship is based at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands, within the Systems Department and the Technology, Engineering and Quality Directorate.
What will I work on during the internship?
You would support activities aimed at improving the resilience of the supply of materials for the European space sector. You would investigate strategic raw materials, chemicals and advanced materials used in space applications, map their supply chains and key European and non-European dependencies, and assess factors that could affect their future availability, including regulatory developments, industrial changes and geopolitical risks.
What is the goal of the risk measurement approach?
One of the objectives is to develop a risk measurement approach that combines technology maturity, regulatory, geopolitical and potentially other relevant aspects.
Who will I work with?
You would work closely with specialists in sustainable engineering, standardisation and chemicals regulation, within the Sustainability Engineering & Standards Section (TEC-SFS) of ESA's Future Engineering Division.
What will I learn?
You will learn how materials and space-specific manufacturing processes are used across the sector, how the complexity of industrial supply chains is assessed, and how regulatory, industrial and geopolitical developments can affect the availability of critical technologies.
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.
Do I need a background in chemical regulation or materials engineering?
Knowledge and background in European environmental and chemical regulations, software development, or material/chemical engineering is an asset, according to 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.
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 21056): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Noordwijk-Intern-in-the-Systems-Department-Strategic-Materials-and-Chemicals-Regulatory-Risk-Analysis/1452887033/
📰 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
