The European Space Agency (ESA) is recruiting an intern for ACES data analysis support in the Utilisation and Enabled Science Team 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 analysis of microwave link measurements from the Atomic Clock Ensemble in Space (ACES), a fundamental physics mission on the International Space Station.
ESA ACES Data Analysis Internship: Key Facts
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 21118
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
🏛️ Directorate: Human and Robotic Exploration
🏙️ Workplace: Noordwijk, NL
📍 Location: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
🌐 Publication method: external only
🏷️ Vacancy title as published: Intern in the Utilisation and Enabled Science Team - ACES Data Analysis Support
⏳ Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
Exploration Science at ESA's Human and Robotic Exploration Directorate
Within the European Space Agency (ESA)'s Directorate for Human and Robotic Exploration, the Exploration Science activities are a cornerstone of the Explore2040 strategy, driving innovation at the intersection of human exploration and scientific discovery.
The Utilisation and Enabled Science Team (HRE-SU)
The HRE-SU (Utilisation and Enabled Science) team at ESA coordinates the Agency's research activities in physical sciences and biology under microgravity conditions and for space exploration. Using platforms like the International Space Station, as well as Moon and Mars missions, the team supports a wide range of cutting-edge research, from Earth atmospheric studies and quantum sensors to heat transfer phenomena, soft matter, and advanced materials processing.
What Is ACES?
Launched in April 2025, Atomic Clock Ensemble in Space (ACES) is a flagship mission of the HRE Directorate dedicated to fundamental physics using high stability and accuracy atomic clocks in the microgravity environment of the International Space Station.
The ACES Team at ESA-ESTEC
At ESA-ESTEC, the ACES team supports mission operations, monitors the performance of the on-board clocks and links and contributes to data analysis. The ESA-ESTEC data analysis pipeline processes ACES microwave link (MWL) measurements and is used alongside the Paris Observatory pipeline to validate space-to-ground desynchronisation measurements.
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The vacancy invites interested candidates to visit the ESA website, listed in the Links section below.
Field of Activity: Microwave Link Measurements
You will join the ACES team at ESA-ESTEC and support the analysis of MicroWave Link (MWL) measurements, which are central to the mission's high-precision comparisons between space-based and ground-based clocks.
How the Microwave Link Works
MWL is a two-way, three-frequency system, with uplink and downlink signals in the Ku-band and a downlink signal in the S-band. It provides pseudorange measurements at all three frequencies using both code and carrier phase.
Corrections Before Clocks Can Be Compared
Before the desynchronisation between the space and ground clocks can be evaluated, the measurements must be corrected for:
🛰️ Signal-propagation delays, including link asymmetries
🌦️ Tropospheric delays
📡 Ionospheric delays
📐 Antenna phase patterns
🔧 Instrumental effects such as amplitude-to-phase conversion
🌡️ Temperature variations
📈 Doppler rate
🔁 Tracking-loop errors
The Ground Terminal Network
On Earth, a network of MWL ground terminals connects some of the world's best clocks to the space clock, including clocks operated at:
🇺🇸 NIST and JPL in the United States
🇫🇷 LTE in France
🇩🇪 PTB and Wettzell in Germany
🇬🇧 NPL in the United Kingdom
🇯🇵 NICT in Japan
Why Desynchronisation Measurements Matter
Desynchronisation measurements are the main data product of the ACES mission. They support tests of general relativity, searches for dark matter and differential geopotential measurements between ground clocks.
What You Will Do During the Internship
During the internship, you will contribute to the following activities:
✅ Cross-check and validate corrections for signal propagation delays
🛠️ Improve the modelling and the calibration of instrumental effects, including amplitude-to-phase conversion, temperature variations, Doppler rate and tracking-loop errors
🧮 Improve carrier cycle ambiguity resolution using code phase measurements
⚙️ Help improve the existing data analysis pipeline by optimising selected processes
🔬 Use space-to-ground desynchronisation measurements to support ACES science in one or more of the areas below
ACES Science Areas You Can Support
🌌 Tests of general relativity, including gravitational redshift, time variation of fundamental constants and dark-matter searches
🕰️ Comparison of ground clocks
🔄 Clock synchronisation and time-transfer experiments
🏔️ Differential geopotential measurements between ground clocks
What You Will Strengthen
These activities will strengthen your background in:
📊 Data analysis and processing of highly stable time and frequency signals
🎯 Stability and accuracy characterisation of high-performance space clocks and links
⏱️ Clock comparison and time transfer experiments
🧠 General relativity and alternative theories of gravitation
🗺️ Chronometric geodesy
Your Working Environment
You will work in a stimulating, multicultural environment that brings together space agencies, mission operations centres, industry, scientific institutes and academia.
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
The vacancy refers candidates to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook for more information.
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.
Nationality Requirement
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.
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.
Knowledge and background in orbital mechanics, time and frequency metrology, data analysis and general relativity is an asset.
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 and Start of ESA Student Internships in 2027
According to ESA's announcement of the 2027 student internships, internships last 3 to 6 months and begin 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. Applications are welcome from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.
ESA values diversity, 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 ACES data analysis internship take place?
The internship is based at ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands, within the Utilisation and Enabled Science Team of the Human and Robotic Exploration Directorate.
What is ACES?
Atomic Clock Ensemble in Space (ACES) is a flagship mission of the HRE Directorate, launched in April 2025. It is dedicated to fundamental physics using high stability and accuracy atomic clocks in the microgravity environment of the International Space Station.
What will I work on during the internship?
You would support the analysis of microwave link measurements between the space clock and ground clocks. Activities include cross-checking corrections for signal propagation delays, improving the modelling and calibration of instrumental effects, improving carrier cycle ambiguity resolution using code phase measurements, and helping optimise the existing data analysis pipeline.
Which science areas can I support?
You can use space-to-ground desynchronisation measurements to support ACES science in one or more areas: tests of general relativity, comparison of ground clocks, clock synchronisation and time-transfer experiments, and differential geopotential measurements between ground clocks.
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 time and frequency metrology?
Knowledge and background in orbital mechanics, time and frequency metrology, data analysis and general relativity is an asset, according to the vacancy. It is listed as an asset, not as a requirement.
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 21118): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Noordwijk-Intern-in-the-Utilisation-and-Enabled-Science-Team-ACES-Data-Analysis-Support/1452989633/
📰 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
