Intern in the Ground Systems Engineering and Innovation Department, Lunar Crater Dataset Analysis

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 conduct scientific research, develop new technologies, and support space exploration missions.

Job Overview:
The internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position is situated within the Ground Systems Engineering Department, specifically in the Mission Analysis Section of the Flight Dynamics Division. The primary focus of this role is to engage in the Lunar Crater Dataset Analysis and Database Generation project, which is crucial for the upcoming ESA Argonaut lander mission aimed at providing Europe with independent access to the lunar surface. The intern will be tasked with analyzing a vast dataset of lunar craters, which has been compiled through a unique combination of gaming and crowd science. The goal is to enhance the dataset's quality and usability for AI applications and scientific research, ensuring that it meets the needs of future lunar landing missions. The intern will work on developing best-practice guidelines and software scripts to filter and post-process the dataset, ultimately contributing to the advancement of lunar exploration.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including:

• Familiarizing themselves with the lunar crater dataset and the associated game developed for data collection.
• Conducting research on state-of-the-art AI algorithms for crater detection.
• Collaborating with game developers to generate an overview of available metadata.
• Identifying potential use cases within the scientific community and documenting their requirements.
• Writing Python scripts for filtering and post-processing the dataset to eliminate misleading or irrelevant data.
• Documenting post-processing guidelines for publication alongside the dataset.
• Proposing innovative algorithms to improve the quality of crater markings, such as identifying super users and employing majority voting techniques.
• Expanding the lunar crater database to other regions of the moon using trained AI algorithms once the dataset is deemed reliable.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must be university students, preferably at the master's level, and must provide proof of enrollment for the entire duration of the internship. A strong foundation in Python software development is essential, along with a basic understanding of AI networks. The ability to work independently and effectively is crucial, as is a background in space exploration or geology, which is considered an asset. Additionally, candidates should possess good knowledge of English or French, with proficiency in another ESA Member State language being advantageous.

Educational Background:
The ideal candidate should be pursuing a degree in a relevant field such as engineering, computer science, space science, geology, or a related discipline. Enrollment in a master's program is preferred, and candidates must demonstrate their ongoing academic status throughout the internship period.

Experience:
While prior professional experience is not mandatory, candidates should have practical experience in Python programming and a foundational understanding of AI concepts. Experience in academic projects or internships related to space exploration or data analysis will be beneficial and may enhance the candidate's application.

Languages:
Proficiency in English or French is mandatory, as these are the working languages of the Agency. Knowledge of an additional language from an ESA Member State is considered a valuable asset and may improve the candidate's competitiveness for the position.

Additional Notes:
This internship is a full-time position with a contract duration aligned with the academic calendar. The role is open to nationals of specific ESA Member States, and the Agency is committed to diversity and inclusiveness in its hiring practices. Compensation details and benefits will be provided during the recruitment process, and the Agency is willing to accommodate individuals with disabilities to ensure a supportive work environment.