Our team and mission

This position is based at the ESA Centre for Earth Observation (ESRIN) - Frascati, Italy 

Step into the future of Earth Observation with an internship on ESA’s DestinE Initiative (Destination Earth) and Copernicus Programm activities. As part of our innovative team, you'll work closely with leading experts and industry partners to develop a next-generation digital ecosystem designed to optimize Earth Observation and data management. Under the guidance of our team, you’ll play a key role in shaping the future of digital Earth systems.

As part of ESA’s Earth Observation Framework, our team collaborates with European partners, industries, and experts to develop a comprehensive digital ecosystem. This ecosystem leverages Copernicus and DestinE data management and modelling services to enable a wide range of user-driven applications and services. Our mission is to foster innovation, encourage sustainable growth, and build a dynamic network of services in Earth Observation while maximizing the use of Copernicus and DestinE data.

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic of the internship: Copernicus and Destination Earth 

As an intern at ESA working with Copernicus and Destination Earth, your key learnings focus on understanding Earth observation systems and how Earth observation data supports environmental monitoring. You will explore how this data is processed and applied to address issues like climate resilience and disaster management. Through Copernicus, you will gain deep knowledge about the various Sentinel satellites and their specific roles in capturing data related to land, ocean, and atmosphere and how Copernicus services across sectors such as agriculture, emergency response, and urban planning can be used.

With Destination Earth, you will explore how digital twins are developed using Earth observation data to create highly detailed simulations of Earth's processes. These simulations are used to model climate, natural disasters, and environmental changes, providing valuable insights for decision-makers. You will also learn how these digital models help predict future scenarios and evaluate potential outcomes, supporting efforts in areas such as climate adaptation and disaster preparedness.

You will gain insights into how our cloud platforms of Copernicus and DestinE are used to store, process, and distribute vast amounts of Earth observation data efficiently. These platforms enable seamless access to real-time EO data and advanced computational tools, supporting applications and services for users. 

You will also learn how ESA collaborates with industry partners from various sectors to leverage their expertise and technologies, ensuring the effective application of Earth observation data.

Your specific activities will include for example:

• Actively contributing to activities of Copernicus and DestinE;
• Piloting the use of the DestinE Platform services;
• Contributing to the definition of the roadmap of DestinE and Copernicus service evolution;
• Supporting outreach and communication activities of DestinE and Copernicus;
• Supporting the preparation of the 4th DestinE User Exchange in Vienna;
• Data analytics and designing AI based applications using Copernicus and/or DestinE data;
• Many more according to your specific know-how and interests.

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.

You should also have a background in earth sciences, geography, remote sensing, geoinformatics, informatics or engineering. 

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.

Technical competencies:

• Basic understanding of Earth Observation (EO);
• Basic understanding on how EO data can be used in e.g. climate monitoring, environmental analysis, and disaster management;
• Basic knowledge of python programming, or any other programming language.

Preferred competencies

• Basis knowledge of artificial intelligence and machine learning;
• Basic knowledge of the Copernicus program, data access platforms and related EO initiatives;
• Basic knowledge of the Destination Earth Initiative, and related EO initiatives;
• Basic knowledge of digital twin technologies related to earth systems, climate modeling, or urban management;
• Basic understanding of different types of EO data (optical, radar, in-situ etc.) and/or earth science modelling and their applications.

Additional preferred requirements

• High-level motivation and dedication;
• Act proactively;
• Result orientation.