Intern in the Aerothermodynamics and Flight Vehicles Engineering Section

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Position Title: Intern in the Aerothermodynamics and Flight Vehicles Engineering Section
Location: Noordwijk
Country: Netherlands
Deadline Date: 30 November 2024 23:59 CET/CEST

Job Details

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 operates across multiple countries in Europe and collaborates with various international partners to advance space science and technology. ESA's mission encompasses a wide range of activities, including Earth observation, human spaceflight, and planetary exploration, with a commitment to fostering innovation and scientific research in the field of space.

Job Overview:
The internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position is located at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in Noordwijk, Netherlands, within the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality. The Aerothermodynamics and Flight Vehicles Engineering Section is responsible for providing engineering support to ESA's application directorates, focusing on research and technology (R&T), simulation, and testing activities in aerothermodynamics, fluid mechanics, flight physics, and flight vehicle engineering. The intern will engage in a project centered on ablative-material response modeling and simulation tools for atmospheric re-entry, which is crucial for optimizing heatshield designs and ensuring the safety of spacecraft during re-entry. The role involves reviewing governing equations, analyzing numerical modeling techniques, and running simulations to test internal tools, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in this critical area of aerospace engineering.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will be tasked with reviewing the governing equations and boundary conditions used to model the response of ablative materials subjected to high-enthalpy flows. They will analyze the state of the art in numerical modeling of ablation and erosion phenomena, including internal decomposition processes such as pyrolysis and vaporization, as well as gas-gas and gas-solid chemical interactions. The intern will also investigate gas species transport mechanisms and solid morphology evolutions, including internal density changes and surface ablation. Additionally, the intern will run simulations to test internal tools like BLITZ, contributing to the development of improved performance for spacecraft during both destructive and non-destructive re-entries.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must be university students, preferably in their final or second-to-last year of a Master's level course. They must remain enrolled at their university for the entire duration of the internship. A good knowledge of English or French is required, and knowledge of another Member State language is considered an asset. Familiarity with computational fluid dynamics (CFD), re-entry processes, and programming languages such as Python or C++ is also advantageous.

Educational Background:
The position requires candidates to be enrolled in a university program, ideally pursuing a Master's degree in a relevant field such as aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related discipline. The candidate should have a strong academic background that supports the technical demands of the internship, particularly in areas related to fluid dynamics and analysis" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">thermal analysis.

Experience:
While specific prior experience is not mandatory, candidates with experience in computational fluid dynamics, programming, or aerospace engineering projects will be favored. The internship is designed for students who are looking to gain practical experience in a research and technology environment, and thus, any relevant academic projects or internships will be beneficial.

Languages:
The working languages of the European Space Agency are English and French. A good command of one of these languages is mandatory, while knowledge of additional languages from ESA member states is considered a valuable asset.

Additional Notes:
This internship is a full-time position, and candidates must be nationals of one of the ESA member states or associated countries. The internship is an equal opportunity opportunity, and ESA encourages applications from diverse backgrounds, including women and individuals with disabilities. The deadline for applications is set for 30 November 2024, and candidates are encouraged to apply early to ensure consideration.