Intern in the Mission Management and Ground Segment Department

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 encompass 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 various domains including Earth observation, human spaceflight, and satellite navigation, among others, and has a significant presence in multiple countries across Europe.

Job Overview:
The internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position is situated within the Earth Observation Programmes Directorate at ESA, specifically in the Mission Management and Ground Segment Department. The intern will focus on applying artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the discovery and quality control of Earth Observation data. This role is crucial as the Earth observation domain is increasingly vital for predicting environmental changes and understanding their impacts. The intern will be involved in reviewing current AI applications within ESA's Earth Observation data management, assessing user experience, performance, and architecture. The internship aims to provide the intern with hands-on experience in applying AI technologies to improve data management processes and enhance user interaction with satellite data.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will be responsible for familiarizing themselves with the context of data management and discovery, participating in the design and deployment of applications such as large language models (LLMs) and recommendation systems. They will support the team in testing, debugging, and improving existing systems, and assess the application in terms of user experience to identify potential improvements. If time permits, the intern may also work on developing a graph generation mechanism for an LLM, interpreting data from a pre-existing RAG database to create visual representations. Additionally, they may utilize unsupervised learning techniques on a large dataset of quality control reports to uncover patterns and insights. The intern will be expected to present their findings and project results to team members and stakeholders, culminating in a final report detailing the results obtained during the internship.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must be university students, preferably at the master's level, and must demonstrate enrollment at their university for the entire duration of the internship. They should possess good programming skills, particularly in scripting, and have a foundational understanding of data management. Knowledge of AI and its applications in data analytics is considered an asset. Familiarity with project and service management principles is also beneficial. Additionally, candidates must have a good command of English or French, with knowledge of another ESA member state language being advantageous.

Educational Background:
The position requires candidates to be enrolled in a university program, ideally at the master's level. This educational background is essential to ensure that the intern has the necessary theoretical knowledge and skills to contribute effectively to the projects undertaken during the internship.

Experience:
While specific prior experience is not mandated, candidates should have a foundational understanding of programming and data management. Experience with AI technologies and their application in data analytics will be viewed favorably. The internship is designed for students, so practical experience in a professional setting is not a strict requirement, but any relevant experience will enhance a candidate's application.

Languages:
The working languages at ESA are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these languages is mandatory for applicants. Additionally, knowledge of another language from an ESA member state is considered an asset, which can further enhance communication and collaboration within the diverse team at ESA.

Additional Notes:
This internship is a full-time position and is classified as an intern contract. The recruitment process is open to nationals of specific ESA member states and cooperating states. The internship is expected to provide valuable experience in a professional environment, with opportunities for personal and professional growth. 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.