Job Requisition ID: 20911

Date Posted: 24 September 2026

Application Deadline: 15 October 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication Method: External Only

Type of Appointment (learn more): National Graduate Trainee

Directorate: Human and Robotic Exploration

Workplace: Noordwijk, NL

Grade Band: F1 - F1

The ESA National Graduate Trainee (NGT) Programmes offer recent Master’s graduates the opportunity to gain practical, hands-on experience at ESA across a range of space-related disciplines. The programmes are essentially similar to ESA’s own Graduate Trainee Programme, notably in offering the same employment conditions. They however differ in one important respect: each NGT Programme is funded by an individual ESA Member State or Associate Member under a bilateral partnership agreement concluded with ESA.
As a result, a representative of the sponsoring State participates in the selection process. In addition to assessing candidates against the requirements of the position, the selection may also include an evaluation of their background and knowledge of the space policies and related activities of the sponsoring State.

Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Our team and mission
The Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes is a programme directorate within the ESA matrix structure. Using a partnership between humans and robots, the Directorate is dedicated to exploring destinations in space where humans are already living and working – or will live and work in the future – for the purpose of scientific research, economic development, international cooperation and public inspiration.

Within the Directorate, the Commercialisation and Innovation Team works to turn the transformation of space exploration into opportunities for European industry and society. We develop and implement cross-sectoral innovation initiatives that help build sustainable commercial ecosystems in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and the cislunar environment.

Our activities focus on four markets with strong links to exploration and significant potential for growth: Health and Life Sciences, Agrifood, Advanced Materials and In-Space Manufacturing, and Space Resources. Our ambition is to create, nurture and scale companies and other actors across these emerging value chains, strengthening innovative capabilities while developing sustainable commercial demand.

At the heart of this effort is the Business in Space Growth Network (BSGN) and its Industry Accelerators. Together, they connect the space ecosystem with industries on Earth, launch innovation calls and challenges, provide scientific, technical and commercial expertise, foster cross-sector collaboration, and bring together technology and service providers, customers, researchers, investors and institutional partners. You can read more about BSGN on the website: https://bsgn.esa.int

You are encouraged to visit the ESA website: https://www.esa.int

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship
Reporting to the Commercialisation and Innovation Team Leader, you will join ESA’s efforts to shape and grow the emerging commercial economy in Low Earth Orbit and around the Moon. You will contribute to the Business in Space Growth Network (BSGN) and its ambition to scale research and production in space, connecting new space capabilities with demand, investment and innovation from industries on Earth.

You will work closely with the LEO Services and Lunar Projects Teams, the Chief Exploration Scientist, the European and International Stakeholder Relations Team, the Studies and Technology Team, and experts across the Directorates of Commercialisation, Industry and Procurement, Technology, Engineering and Quality, and Space Transportation.

As a Luxembourgish National Graduate Trainee, you will have the opportunity to:

Explore the emerging LEO and lunar economy, analysing new commercial stations, transportation systems, free-flyers, payload-hosting facilities and in-orbit services, as well as evolving institutional and commercial demand;

Work with emerging commercial ventures supported through the BSGN Industry Accelerators and follow innovative projects towards commercially viable services;

Engage with industries beyond the traditional space sector, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, cosmetics, advanced materials, in-space manufacturing,agrifood, mining and construction to understand where research and production in space can create value and what customers need;

Help identify strategic ESA–industry partnerships, including ambitious, long-term initiatives that mobilise companies, researchers and investors around major challenges and new market opportunities;

Support commercially relevant in-orbit projects, gaining first-hand experience of how opportunities are identified, assessed, selected and translated into concrete activities;

Help bring the ecosystem together through ESA conferences, workshops, industry days and stakeholder consultations involving institutional partners, space companies, terrestrial industries and investors;

Develop practical skills in space commercialisation, market assessment, emerging infrastructures, business models and investment cases, while understanding how public and private actors can jointly create and scale new markets.

Above all, you will have the opportunity to address a defining question for the next generation of space exploration: how can Europe turn its excellence in science, technology and exploration into scalable commercial activities and sustainable markets in space?

You will not only observe this transition — you will help shape it.

Technical competencies
Knowledge of relevant technical and functional domains

Relevant experience gained during internships, project work and/or extracurricular or other activities

General knowledge of the space sector and relevant activities

Knowledge of ESA and its programmes and projects

Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation

Operational Efficiency

Fostering Cooperation

Relationship Management

Continuous Improvement

Forward Thinking

For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

Education
You should have recently completed or be in the final year of your master’s degree in business, economics or a relevant scientific or technical discipline.

Additional requirements
You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team. Previous experience of working in international teams can be considered an asset. Your motivation, overall professional perspective and career goals will also be explored during the later stages of the selection process.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.

At the Agency we value diversity, and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via email at [email protected].

Important Information and Disclaimer
Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.

During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.

The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.

Nationality and Languages
Please note that applications can only be considered from nationals of Luxembourg or permanent residents of Luxembourg with the nationality of an ESA Member State, Associate Member or Cooperating State.

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.

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