Intern in the Independent Safety Office, Space Debris Mitigation

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Position Title: Intern in the Independent Safety Office, Space Debris Mitigation
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. ESA'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. The agency is known for its commitment to safety, sustainability, and innovation in space exploration.

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 TEC-QI Independent Safety Office is tasked with overseeing the development and implementation of safety policies and standards for ESA missions. The intern will have the opportunity to work on critical issues related to space debris mitigation, human spaceflight safety, and nuclear safety in space applications. The role involves engaging with various stakeholders, contributing to the development of safety processes, and gaining hands-on experience with ESA's tools and data resources. The intern will choose between two main topics: preparing Space Debris Mitigation Plans or leading a data-driven compliance analysis to modernize safety assessments for ESA missions. This position offers a unique chance to contribute to significant projects that aim to enhance the safety and sustainability of space missions.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will be responsible for supporting the preparation of Space Debris Mitigation Plans, which involves researching and compiling information on different mission classes and orbital regions. This includes interacting with subject matter experts and developing a comprehensive understanding of the space debris issue. For the data-driven compliance analysis, the intern will define a computational pipeline to extract compliance statistics related to space debris mitigation requirements. This will involve coding in Python, generating automated reports using LaTeX, and ensuring the tool is modular for future enhancements. The intern will participate in regular team meetings, contribute to ongoing projects, and present findings to the international community, thereby gaining valuable experience in a collaborative environment.

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 familiarity with additional languages is considered an asset. Knowledge of space debris issues and relevant tools is advantageous, as well as experience with system engineering for Topic 1 and programming skills in Python, LaTeX, and GitLab for Topic 2.

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 engineering, physics, or a related discipline. The internship is designed for students who are in their final or penultimate year of study, ensuring that they have a solid academic foundation to support their work at ESA.

Experience:
While specific prior experience is not mandatory, candidates should demonstrate a strong academic background and a keen interest in space safety and debris mitigation. Experience with relevant software tools, programming languages, or research projects related to space or engineering will be beneficial. The internship is an entry-level position aimed at students, so practical experience in the field is not a strict requirement, but any related experience will enhance a candidate's application.

Languages:
The working languages of ESA are English and French. A good command of one of these languages is mandatory, while knowledge of another language from an ESA member state is considered an asset. This multilingual environment emphasizes the importance of effective communication skills in both written and spoken forms.

Additional Notes:
This internship is a full-time position based at the ESTEC facility in Noordwijk, Netherlands. The closing date for applications is 30 November 2024, and candidates must be nationals of one of the ESA member states or associated countries. The internship is designed to provide students with practical experience in a professional setting, and ESA is committed to diversity and inclusion in its workforce. The agency encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including those with disabilities, and aims to create an inclusive working environment.