Our team and mission

This position is based at the European Space Astronomy Centre  (ESAC) - Near Madrid, Spain

Under the direct authority of the Directorate of Science, the Head of the Science and Operations Department is responsible for the development of the science operations infrastructure under the Directorate responsibility, the operation of the Directorate’s missions once successfully commissioned, and the curation of all scientific data in the missions’ legacy phase. These responsibilities are discharged in full coordination with the Directorate’s Departments and Offices and as appropriate, with the Directorate of Operations (D/OPS). 

In implementing its duties, the Science and Operations Department is supported by the:  

• Mission Management and Science Operations Division (SCI-SO); 
• Science Operations Development Division (SCI-SD); 
• Data Science and Archives Division (SCI-SA). 

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic of the internship: JUICE Science Activity Plan Development

Planning the science operations of an ambitious mission like ESA’s JUpiter ICy moon Explorer (JUICE) will take several years of iterations and refinements. To maximize the science return of the mission, it is important to look at it in its entirety and assess all the opportunities to fulfill the science objectives set by the team. It’s even more important to identify those objectives that will rely on only a handful of chances. To that end, the Science Operations Center is conducting analyses of the trajectory to understand the best way to carry out the mission and maximize its scientific return.

You will participate in the preparation of the first iteration of the science activity plan of the Juice mission based on the current trajectory. You will be expected to carry out trajectory analyses that fit the needs of the different thematic working groups of the science team, identify critical phases of the mission and routine operations that can be run repeatedly. You will also be expected to present, archive and synthetize this work in a way that will facilitate its integration in the broader Juice science planning.

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 a university course at Master’s level and you need to remain 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 Member State language would be an asset.

The following would be an asset:

• Good level of coding in python;
• Proficiency in English; 
• Familiarity with SPICE ancillary data;
• Experience in complex data analysis;
• Interest in Planetary Sciences;
• Interest in Science Operations.