Location ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Our team and mission
The Sustainability Engineering & Standards Section (TEC-SFS), part of ESA's Future Engineering Division (TEC-SF), supports the development and implementation of sustainable engineering approaches across ESA programmes and projects. The section works at the intersection of system engineering, sustainability and innovation, helping to ensure that future space systems are designed, developed and operated in a more sustainable, efficient and responsible manner.
The team supports ESA projects from the earliest mission definition phases through technology development and implementation, helping projects integrate sustainability objectives into system design, engineering trades, verification approaches and operational concepts.
The Section also encompasses activities related to the EU/UK REACH regulation for environmental safety. The Section supports all ESA programmes in regulatory compliance, mapping the use of materials and chemicals, advocating for their continued use where necessary, and mitigating emerging risks of premature obsolescence.
Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website: <http://www.esa.int>
Field(s) of activity for the internship
Topic of the internship: Strategic Materials and Chemicals Regulatory Risk Analysis
During this internship, you will support activities aimed at improving the resilience of the supply of materials for the European space sector. You will investigate strategic raw materials, chemicals and advanced materials used in space applications and map their supply chains and key European and non-European dependencies.
You will assess factors that could affect their future availability, including regulatory developments, industrial changes and geopolitical risks. You will contribute to identifying emerging vulnerabilities and possible measures to reduce supply risks and strengthen European capabilities.
Through this work, you will learn how materials and space-specific manufacturing processes are used across the sector; how the complexity of industrial supply chains is assessed; and how regulatory, industrial and geopolitical developments can affect the availability of critical technologies.
You will work closely with specialists in sustainable engineering, standardisation and chemicals regulation, and help translate your findings into improvements to internal materials and regulatory databases and tools.
One of the objectives will be to develop a risk measurement approach to combine technology maturity, regulatory, geopolitical and potentially other relevant aspects.
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 European environmental and chemical regulations, software development, or material/chemical engineering 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 [ESA.Student.Internships@esa.int](mailto:ESA.Student.Internships@esa.int).
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.