Job Requisition ID: 20968

Date Posted: 1 November 2026

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

Publication Method: External Only

Type of Appointment (learn more): Intern

Directorate: Strategy, Legal and External Matters

Workplace: Noordwijk, NL

Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Our team and mission
The European Space Agency is an international organisation and the European gateway to space. Together with its Member States, the Agency expands the boundaries of discovery and exploration and provides space applications for the benefit of citizens on Earth.

The Legal Services Department provides the full range of legal services across ESA’s programmes and legal disciplines, such as public international law, European law and the national law of ESA’s Member States.

The Legal Services Department provides authoritative legal advice to the Director General, the Directorates, but also to Council and other organs of the Agency, to achieve the objectives set up in the ESA Convention. As such the Legal Services Department participates to the decision-making among Member States, formulating legal opinions and bringing new ideas to formalise space policies and programmes in Europe.

You will be part of a team of highly motivated, skilled lawyers working in an inspirational, interdisciplinary and multicultural environment.

http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Law_at_ESA/ESA_Legal_Services_Department

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship
Topic of the internship: Legal support to new initiatives, commercialisation and programmes

You will support the Division of New Initiatives and Commercialisation in addressing legal matters arising in the preparation and implementation of ESA programmes and activities. Topics may include:

• legal questions linked to the commercialisation of space activities and the development of new services and business models, and innovative forms of cooperation with industry;
• programme-related matters, including the preparation and implementation of contractual and cooperation frameworks;
• issues relating to procurement, funding, intellectual property, data, liability, governance and the allocation of risks and responsibilities;
• interpretation and application of the Agency’s internal rules, policies and legal instruments;
• legal research, analysis and drafting in support of the Division’s advisory work.

Through these activities, you will gain practical knowledge of institutional law and strengthen your legal research, analytical and drafting skills.

As an intern, you will have the following tasks:

• carry out legal research and analysis on public international law, including ESA’s legal framework and European Union law, and the relevant national laws of the jurisdictions in which the Agency operates;
• prepare and contribute to the drafting, review and processing of a variety of legal instruments (agreements, memoranda, etc.) and other documents;
• monitor and review developments in international law, including the evolution of legal doctrine and its practical application in international organisations;
• contribute to the Department’s daily operations by supporting the work of legal officers.

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 public international law, including European Union law, and the relevant national laws of the jurisdictions in which the Agency operates, demonstrated through both study and experience, 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.

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. Applicants from Canada as a Cooperating State can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).

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