Our team and mission

This position is based at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) - Noordwijk, Netherlands

Under the direct authority of the Head of the Mechanical Department, the Head of the Optics, Robotics and Life Sciences Division is responsible for the technical and strategic management in the following space segment domains at subsystem and instrument level:

• Optical systems: design, engineering and verification in all optical related areas, including optical component technology, micro-optics, fibre and passive integrated optics; spectro-radiometric imaging instruments in the x-ray, ultra-violet, visible and infrared region; optical metrology, and space micro-nano technology systems, stray-light analysis and verification. Calibration and verification of optical payloads, covering the definition, procurement and commissioning of Optical Ground Support Equipment (OGSE). In orbit commissioning of optical payloads. Measurement of optical properties of key optical components by devising ad-hoc measurements in the Optical and Optoelectronics Laboratory (OOEL);
• Optoelectronics: laser systems and sensors, LIDAR and laser ranging systems, including optical metrology and time and frequency distribution, photo-detectors and focal plane technologies for the x-ray, ultra-violet, visible and infrared range; photonics technologies and application, including integrated and fibre optics, RF photonics, micro-nano-photonics, opto-pyrotechnics, fibre sensors, non-linear optics, superconductor technology and optical atomic clocks; optical communication technologies and systems, optical communication links and optical payloads; optoelectronics/photonics for spacecraft applications; quantum technologies including quantum devices, metrology, sensing, quantum key distribution and cold atom interferometry; 
• Optical chain architecture: design, analysis, and technical assessment of optical instruments, subsystems, detection chains systems and focal plane instrumentation, optical communication systems for classical and quantum communications, time and frequency transfer, intersatellite ranging and similar end-to-end systems;
• Automation and robotics: space automation and robotic systems, including planetary (surface, sub-surface and aerial) robotics probes, space robot payloads and their control systems, space laboratory automation, human-robot-interaction, tele-robotics in manned and unmanned missions, as well as automation and robotics technology for ground MAIT;
• Life & physical sciences instrumentation: technologies needed for planetary exploration missions and for life and physical sciences experiments in space, as well as technologies needed for life support, crew health and habitability of manned missions, and In-Situ Resources Utilisation;

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic of the internship: Space Automation and Robotics

You will be supporting the Automation and Robotics section at ESTEC, and in particular the Automation and Robotics Laboratories (ARL). The laboratory has three areas:

• The Planetary Robotics Laboratory where the work focuses on the design of rovers for planetary exploration;
• The Human Interaction Laboratory which focuses on the collaboration of robotic systems and operators;
• The Orbital Robotics Laboratory which focuses on activities such as Active Debris Removal and In-Orbit Servicing.

The laboratory you will be working in and the tasks you are given will depend on your final qualifications, interests, and the needs of the Section but will be in the form of the following:

• Support industrial activities;
• The laboratory is hosting third parties for tests: the preparation of the facilities and the support provided by the section personnel are vital for this;
• Research and development on novel robotics and autonomous systems: the candidate is expected to maintain the knowledge in the field of the current robotics developments. Furthermore, the candidate will conduct independent research and development on robotics concepts coming from internal ideas of the section. Such work includes concept designing, prototyping, testing to prove the idea viable;
• Collaboration with third parties companies in the frame of hardware development and procurement: the ARL has a constant need to upgrade and adjust its inventory in order to support new activities. The candidate will be intimately involved in this process by directly interacting with third parties to discuss concepts, and trade-off solutions in order to procure equipment or software;
• Support relevant R&D activities or CDF studies when necessary: the section staff supervises a number of industrial R&D activities in all fields related to space robotics. The candidate will have the opportunity to participate in reviews and otherwise support the activities as required.

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.

Knowledge and background in prototyping robot systems is an asset.