The European Southern Observatory (ESO) offers a 6 month Science Communication Internship in Garching near Munich, Germany, with a monthly allowance, accommodation and a return trip from and to your home station. The listing's closing date is 31 December 2026. At Youth Works Hub, we went through the full vacancy (advert no. 2026_0001) and set out every task, requirement and condition below.
The Internship at a Glance
📌 Position: Internship: Science Communication
🏢 Organisation: ESO (European Southern Observatory), Department of Communication
📍 Location: Garching, Germany
🏠 Format: On site, a remote or hybrid internship is not possible
⌛ Duration: 6 months
🗓️ Timing: Internship opportunities are offered throughout the year
💶 Allowance: A monthly allowance to cover your living expenses
🛏️ Accommodation: Provided
✈️ Travel: Return trip from and to your home station covered
🔢 Advert number: 2026_0001
Inside ESO's Department of Communication
The Department of Communication is responsible for all aspects of internal and external communication for the Organisation. Its work covers the whole spectrum of communications:
🗞️ Media relations
🎬 Content production
🏘️ Public and local outreach
🖥️ Digital communication
📨 Internal communication
It also coordinates closely with the ESO Supernova, Planetarium & Visitor Centre for astronomy education activities. The Department is based partly at the ESO Headquarters in Garching near Munich, Germany, and partly in Santiago, Chile.
The Audiences ESO Speaks To
The Department engages with a broad range of audiences:
🔬 Scientists and the astronomy community
🏛️ Decision-takers
🏭 Industry partners
🎙️ Journalists
👥 Members of the public
What You Will Work On
You will work with a team of professional science communicators to prepare:
📰 ESO news and press releases
📚 Publications
🌐 Web pages
🎥 Video scripts
🖼️ Exhibition panels
📣 Other public communication products
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What You Will Learn During the Internship
Through your involvement in various projects and with the team's support, you will have the opportunity to understand and learn:
🌌 About the mission of ESO and the role and responsibilities of the Department of Communication for its implementation
⚙️ How a large international scientific organisation works in practice, and in particular the workflows, processes and procedures within the Department of Communication
✏️ How to write about complex scientific issues in an engaging and understandable manner
🖋️ How to edit texts and work on drafts as a team so that the final press release, script or blog post is accessible and exciting to its target audiences
🎞️ How written text and audiovisuals can be combined to make science attractive and approachable to the public
ESO also points applicants to an article with more information about this internship, which is included in the links at the end of this post.
Who ESO Is Looking For
ESO is looking for people who want to gain experience in science communication of frontline astronomy projects. You should have:
📝 Some previous experience in written science communication or journalism
🪐 Enough basic knowledge of astronomy to be able to understand scientific papers
🗣️ Fluency in English, both written and oral
Preferred Academic Background
🎓 Candidates currently studying or having recently completed a University degree in science, science communication or science journalism are preferred
🌠 Applications are also welcome from students who have recently completed a degree in astronomy and have experience in writing about science to wider audiences
Competences You Should Be Able to Show
💡 Understand and translate scientific research into simple concepts and write about it to general audiences in an engaging and accurate manner
📢 Provide clear, concise and timely written and oral communications
⏱️ Work under time pressure and deliver to agreed deadlines and standards
🧭 Work both on your own initiative and as part of a team
🤝 Build good collaborative working relationships with people from different cultural backgrounds and disciplines
Allowance, Accommodation and Travel
ESO offers a monthly allowance to cover your living expenses and provides accommodation. It also covers the cost of a return trip from and to your home station. The amount of the allowance is not stated in the vacancy. To see how funded placements compare, you can read our guide to paid internships abroad.
Visas and the Right to Work in Germany
ESO does not sponsor visas for this internship. Applicants are responsible for securing their own right to enter, live and work in Germany, which may include obtaining a visa.
Nationality and Recruitment Preference
No nationality is in principle excluded from employment at ESO. Recruitment preference is given to nationals of ESO's Member States, host states and strategic partners, irrespective of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity or religion:
🇦🇺 Australia
🇦🇹 Austria
🇧🇪 Belgium
🇨🇿 Czechia
🇩🇰 Denmark
🇫🇮 Finland
🇫🇷 France
🇩🇪 Germany
🇮🇪 Ireland
🇮🇹 Italy
🇳🇱 Netherlands
🇵🇱 Poland
🇵🇹 Portugal
🇪🇸 Spain
🇸🇪 Sweden
🇨🇭 Switzerland
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
🇨🇱 Chile
The ESO Values
An important element in any successful employment relationship, ESO says, is harmony in values between an organisation and its people. The ESO Values are:
🏆 ESO strives for excellence through innovation
🛠️ ESO provides outstanding services to its communities
🌻 ESO fosters diversity and inclusion
♻️ ESO believes in the key role of sustainability for its future
These are recognised as only possible on the basis of the personal values and attitudes ESO expects from its employees:
🎖️ Respect
🧱 Integrity
📐 Accountability
🎯 Commitment
👐 Collaboration
🔊 Clear and open communication
Applicants to any ESO role are asked to reflect on their affinity with these values and may be asked about them if called for interview.
Diversity at ESO
ESO has established diversity as an important value of the Organisation, is committed to providing an equal opportunities environment and is actively seeking to promote a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce.
How to Apply
Applications are made online and must be completed in English. Your application should include:
💌 A motivation letter (1 page)
📄 Your CV (2 pages)
🗒️ Two written samples, each no more than 5 pages long, that demonstrate your ability to communicate science to a wider audience, for example blog posts, magazine or newspaper articles or press releases
📅 Your approximate preferred start date, stated within your application, if you have one
Keep these rules in mind:
🚫 Scientific papers or theses, which target a scientific audience, are not accepted as samples
🔤 The samples must be in English
🧾 The samples do not need to have been published previously, you can write or adapt texts for the purpose of the application
📦 Only complete applications, with all required materials in English, will be accepted
🔁 Applications are reviewed every 4-6 months throughout the year
Find more internships and traineeships on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ESO Science Communication Internship paid?
ESO offers a monthly allowance to cover your living expenses, provides accommodation and covers a return trip from and to your home station. The amount of the allowance is not stated in the vacancy.
Where does the internship take place and can it be done remotely?
The internship takes place in Garching, Germany. A remote or hybrid internship is not possible.
How long does the ESO internship last?
The internship has a duration of 6 months. Internship opportunities are offered throughout the year, and you should state your approximate preferred start date in your application if you have one.
What experience do I need for this science communication internship?
You should have some previous experience in written science communication or journalism and enough basic knowledge of astronomy to understand scientific papers. You must also be fluent in English, both written and oral.
Which degrees does ESO prefer?
Candidates currently studying or having recently completed a University degree in science, science communication or science journalism are preferred. Students who have recently completed a degree in astronomy and have experience in writing about science to wider audiences are also welcome.
What documents do I need to apply?
You need a one-page motivation letter, a two-page CV and two written samples of no more than 5 pages each. All materials must be in English, and only complete applications are accepted.
Can I submit my thesis or a scientific paper as a writing sample?
No, scientific papers and theses target a scientific audience and are not accepted. Samples should show that you can communicate science to a wider audience, and they can be written or adapted for the application.
Does ESO sponsor visas for interns?
No, ESO does not sponsor visas for this internship. Applicants are responsible for securing their own right to enter, live and work in Germany, which may include obtaining a visa.
Can applicants of any nationality apply to ESO?
No nationality is in principle excluded from employment at ESO. Recruitment preference is given to nationals of its Member States, host states and strategic partners.
How often does ESO review applications?
Applications are reviewed every 4-6 months throughout the year. If you are called for interview, you may be asked about your affinity with the ESO Values.
Deadline
⏳ 31 December 2026
Links
🚀 Apply online: https://recruitment.eso.org/jobs/2026_0001/apply_for?job=2026_0001
🌐 ESO jobs portal: https://jobs.eso.org/
📖 Article with more information about this internship: https://www.memsait.it/volumi/Volume-95-n2-2024/2024MmSAI..1...65e.pdf
✉️ Questions about the internship: vacancy@eso.org
