The European Southern Observatory (ESO) is offering a 6-month Audiovisual Media Internship at its Headquarters in Garching near Munich, Germany, with accommodation, a monthly allowance and a return trip from and to your home station. Students and graduates of Audiovisual Media or a comparable degree can apply until 31 December 2026 (advert no. 2025_0081). At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full advert and set out below what the placement involves and how to apply.
The ESO Audiovisual Internship at a Glance
🎥 Position: Audiovisual Media Intern
🔖 Advert number: 2025_0081
🏛️ Organisation: European Southern Observatory (ESO)
📂 Department: Department of Communication (ESO COMM), Creative Team
📍 Location: Garching, Germany
🏢 Work mode: on site only, a remote or hybrid internship is not possible
⏱️ Duration: 6 months
🚀 Start dates: every March and September
🗣️ Working language: English
What Is ESO?
The European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere (ESO) is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe and the world's most productive ground-based astronomical observatory. It operates three unique observing sites in the Chilean Atacama Desert.
ESO is currently building the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), the largest optical and near-infrared telescope on Earth, together with partners from across Europe and in Chile. Its Headquarters are in Garching near Munich, Germany.
The Department of Communication
ESO COMM is responsible for all aspects of internal and external communication for the Organisation. This includes a host of audiovisual productions designed to excite the public about science, astronomy and the groundbreaking engineering conducted at ESO.
The Productions You Will Support
As Audiovisual Media Intern you will support ESO's Creative Team in its numerous video productions, which bring the wonders of the Universe to audiences. Examples named in the advert are:
🌟 The hosted show Chasing Starlight with Suzanna Randall
🏗️ A documentary on the challenging construction of the ELT
🔬 Explainers about the many scientific discoveries enabled by ESO's telescopes
You will work hand in hand with seasoned professionals in film, animation and graphic design, and you will be able to participate in all stages of the production workflow, from pre-production to release, with a focus on video editing. You will also help with structuring footage, preparing interviews and maintaining the archives.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
✂️ Video editing for various lengths, formats and audiences
🎙️ Structuring interviews, preparing footage and creating compilations
📹 Assisting with video recordings on location and in the studio
🗃️ Organising archival footage
🧩 Additional audiovisual tasks depending on the demand within the team
What You Will Learn at ESO
Through your involvement in various projects, and with the team's support, you will have the opportunity to understand and learn:
🏢 How a large international scientific organisation works in practice, and in particular the workflows within the Department of Communication
📱 How to edit videos for science communication in various lengths, styles and for different target audiences, from longer form documentaries to interviews to short social media productions
🛠️ About all stages of professional video production: concept, script writing, pre-production, preparing interviews, video recordings, structuring footage, editing, sound, typography, animations, post-production, release and archiving
🌐 How to collaborate within a diverse and multinational team, ensuring seamless and timely productions in high quality
📝 How to translate scripts into engaging audiovisuals to make science attractive and approachable to the public
🪐 About the groundbreaking science discoveries and engineering happening at ESO as part of its mission
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🌍 All opportunities in Germany →
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Who Can Apply?
ESO is looking for excited, highly motivated and proactive students or graduates of Audiovisual Media or a comparable degree program to complement its team.
Skills and Competences Required
🎞️ Experience in video editing, audio processing and working with camera and lights; a demo reel or video portfolio is requested to evaluate these skills
💻 Experience working with the Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Adobe Premiere
✨ Experience in post-production or motion graphics is a strong plus
⏰ Ability to work under pressure and deliver to agreed deadlines and standards
🧭 Ability to work both on your own initiative and as part of a team
🤝 Ability to collaborate with people from different cultural backgrounds and disciplines and to build constructive and effective work relationships
Language Skills
A good command of English is essential, as it is ESO's working language. Spanish or German language skills are a plus.
What ESO Provides During the Internship
🏠 Accommodation
💶 A monthly allowance to cover your living expenses
🧳 The cost of a return trip from and to your home station
The advert does not state the amount of the monthly allowance. If you are comparing offers, our guide on how paid internships abroad work explains what to look at.
Start Dates and Rolling Applications
Internship opportunities are offered throughout the year, and internships start every March and September. The position is handled on a rolling basis.
📆 Applications received less than 3 months before a starting date are automatically considered for the next open slot.
🗒️ If you have a preferred or later starting date, state it within your application.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted online and must be completed in English. Your application should include:
✉️ A motivation letter (1 page)
📄 Your CV (1-2 pages)
🔗 Links to past work samples, a demo reel or a portfolio, so that ESO can evaluate your skill level
👥 For collaborative projects, point out which parts of the production you were specifically responsible for.
⚠️ Only complete applications, with all required materials in English, will be accepted.
Visa and 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. However, recruitment preference is given to nationals of ESO's Member States, host states and strategic partners: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Chile, irrespective of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity or religion.
The ESO Values
ESO states that harmony in values between an organisation and its people is an important element of any successful employment relationship. Its 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 personal values and attitudes expected from employees: respect, integrity, accountability, commitment, collaboration, and clear and open communication. Applicants 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.
Find more placements like this one in the Internship section on Youth Works Hub →.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ESO Audiovisual Media Internship paid?
ESO offers a monthly allowance to cover living expenses, provides accommodation and covers the cost of a return trip from and to your home station. The advert does not publish the amount of the allowance.
Where does the internship take place and can it be done remotely?
The internship takes place at ESO's Headquarters in Garching near Munich, Germany. A remote or hybrid internship is not possible.
How long does the internship last and when does it start?
The internship lasts 6 months. Internships start every March and September.
What happens if I apply shortly before a start date?
Applications received less than 3 months before a starting date are automatically considered for the next open slot. You can state in your application if you have a preferred starting date.
What will I actually do as an Audiovisual Media Intern?
The focus is on video editing for various lengths, formats and audiences. You will also structure interviews, prepare footage, assist with recordings on location and in the studio, and organise archival footage.
Do I need a demo reel to apply?
Yes. ESO asks for links to past work samples, a demo reel or a portfolio so that it can evaluate your skill level. For collaborative projects, you should point out which parts you were responsible for.
Which software should I know?
ESO asks for experience with the Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Adobe Premiere. Experience in post-production or motion graphics is a strong plus.
Does ESO sponsor a visa for this internship?
No. ESO does not sponsor visas for this internship, so applicants must secure their own right to enter, live and work in Germany, which may include obtaining a visa.
Can applicants of any nationality apply?
No nationality is in principle excluded. Recruitment preference is given to nationals of ESO's Member States, host states and strategic partners.
Deadline
⏳ 31 December 2026
Links
📝 Application form: https://recruitment.eso.org/jobs/2025_0081/apply_for?job=2025_0081
💼 ESO vacancies portal: https://jobs.eso.org/
🌐 Diversity, equity and inclusion at ESO: https://www.eso.org/public/about-eso/sustainability/dei-at-eso/
📧 Questions: vacancy@eso.org
