Intern in the Commercialisation Department - Innovation Services Section

Job Posting Organization:
The European Space Agency (ESA) is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to the exploration of space. Established in 1975, ESA has grown to include 22 member states and employs over 2,200 staff members. The agency's mission is to shape the development of Europe's space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. ESA operates in multiple countries across Europe and collaborates with various international partners to advance space science and technology.

Job Overview:
The internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position is within the Commercialisation Department, specifically in the Innovation Services Section, which is tasked with nurturing innovation and de-risking projects through a dedicated environment, expertise, and funding. The intern will support the development of digital tools aimed at monitoring innovation activities and processes. This role involves selecting projects for the development and prototyping of tools such as dashboards for monitoring technology transfer activities and tools for discovering existing knowledge and technologies. The intern will gain practical experience in software engineering or data science, contributing to ESA's efforts in providing technology intelligence and supporting technical innovation. The position offers an opportunity to develop skills in AI, knowledge engineering, and data analysis, while also applying theoretical knowledge in a practical setting.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will be responsible for supporting the ESA Innovation Services Section in the following areas:

• Developing digital tools for monitoring innovation activities, including dashboards and knowledge discovery tools.
• Conducting requirement and feasibility assessments for selected projects.
• Prototyping tools that leverage existing databases and AI capabilities.
• Collaborating with team members to ensure the tools meet the needs of the Innovation Services Section.
• Applying software engineering or data science skills to refine and enhance the developed tools.
• Gaining practical experience in translating conceptual frameworks into operational software.
• Contributing to the overall mission of ESA by providing technology intelligence and supporting technical innovation.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must be university students, preferably in their final or second-to-last year of a Master's level course. They must demonstrate that they will be enrolled at their university for the entire duration of the internship. Additionally, candidates should possess a good knowledge of English or French, with knowledge of another ESA Member State language considered an asset. The ideal candidate should be technically capable, curious, and a problem-solver, with familiarity in AI techniques, software development, and data visualization.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes being a university student, ideally in a Master's program related to software engineering, data science, or a similar field. Candidates must be able to provide proof of their enrollment at their university for the duration of the internship, ensuring they are actively pursuing their studies while gaining practical experience.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a foundational understanding of software engineering or data science principles. While specific prior work experience is not mandatory, familiarity with AI techniques, software development, and data visualization is highly beneficial. Candidates should be comfortable with technical concepts and demonstrate a willingness to learn and apply new skills in a practical environment.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is either English or French, with a good command of one being essential. Knowledge of an additional language from another ESA Member State is considered advantageous, as it may enhance communication and collaboration within the diverse team at ESA.

Additional Notes:
This internship is a full-time position, and candidates must be nationals of one of the specified ESA member states. The internship will last for the duration of the academic semester or year, depending on the candidate's university schedule. ESA is committed to diversity and inclusiveness, welcoming applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability, or other characteristics. The agency also provides support for individuals with disabilities during the recruitment process and in the workplace.