Job Requisition ID: 21028

Date Posted: 1 November 2026

Application Deadline: 30 November 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication Method: External Only

Type of Appointment (learn more):

Directorate: Technology, Engineering and Quality

Workplace: Noordwijk, NL

Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Our team and mission
The Wave Interaction and Propagation Section covers the understanding of the behaviour of electromagnetic waves (from a few megahertz to optical wavelengths) in a variety of media - both natural and man-made - and environmental conditions, and the application of this understanding to the development and exploitation of space systems. This includes modelling, data analysis and algorithmic development, as well as experimental validation of models and algorithms. It contributes to the performance assessment of space missions.

More specifically this includes:

• wave propagation relevant to space communications, navigation and remote sensing;
• wave interaction for active, passive and combined remote sensing of ocean, land and atmosphere of the Earth and other planets;
• in-situ characterisation of the interaction/propagation environment;
• payload data processing and data science techniques, simulation and performance evaluation tools.

For what concerns:

• theoretical modelling and experimental validation;
• associated processing, mitigation, retrieval, correction and calibration algorithms for product generation. For remote sensing this includes algorithmic developments relevant to the generation of Lvl1 (physical observable) and Lvl2 (geophysical quantity) data products;
• for remote sensing, design and validation of on-board processing functions/algorithms for payload data products, image processing and optical payload data compression;
• contribution to mission performance assessment and to data products quality monitoring and improvement.

Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int

Field(s) of activity for the internship
FORUM is the Far-infrared, Outgoing Radiation Understanding and Monitoring mission, a research mission of the Earth Observation Directorate. It will be the first mission to take global measurements of Earth’s outgoing spectrum in the far-infrared at unprecedented resolution. These data will be used to investigate climate feedback from water vapour and clouds and ultimately improve climate models. FORUM will embark two payloads; The FORUM Sounding Imager (FSI) which is a Fourier Transform Interferometer working in the 100 to 1600 cm-1 spectral region and the FORUM embedded Imager (FEI).
ESA - FORUM

The Wave Interaction and Propagation Section provides expert support to the FORUM project on aspects related to instruments performances, Level 1 (from raw data to calibrated signal) and Level 2 (from calibrated signals to geophysical parameters) processors development, and mission performances evaluation.

In this position you will be involved in FORUM performance assessment activities:

• ingesting the outcome of the on-ground characterisation tests of the instrument as parametrisation of the FORUM end-to-end simulator, to assess expected performances of the mission. You will run several sensitivity studies as a function of geophysical scene, or settings of the ground processing algorithms, to assess the impact on the Level 1 products (calibrated signals);
• using the FORUM end-to-end simulator, you will generate reference datasets to support: (a) the assessment of the performances at Level 2 (geophysical retrievals), (b) further scientific activities and (c) the development of the operational ground segment;
• you could be involved in the prototyping of calibration algorithms for FORUM.

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 must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of university course at Master's level. In addition, you must be able to prove that you will be enrolled at your university for the entire duration of the internship.

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

During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.

Knowledge and background in optics (wave propagation and/or instrumentation) is an asset.

Additional requirements:

• skills in numerical modelling and data analysis;
• experience in software development and coding in languages such as Python and Matlab (knowledge of C++ is an asset).

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
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests.

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

The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding internship 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
Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

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