If you’re ahead of choosing studies we encourage you to check studies catalogue prepared in the frames of Future Space project. You’ll find there most of the studies and courses related with space sector around the Europe.
Catalogue
Interships
Appendix
INTERNSHIP: SMALL STEP? GIANT LEAP? WORTH A TRY!
Check out who is recruiting at the moment
Since United Nations has its own office dedicated to space affairs (UNOOSA), working across the legal, policy, scientific and technical aspects of the peaceful use of outer space, there are often internship vacancies announced by their’s bureau in Vienna. The most recent ones, closely associated with UN-SPIDER (details here) or Space4water (details here) programmes, are closing on 24/25 July 2021. An intern is also needed for a 4-month remote programme run by SGAC – Space Generation Advisory Council ( details here). If you are rather interested in working for constellation of Galileo satellites’ operating company (DLR GfR) in Munich’s vicinity, you could find out more and apply here.
How to keep an eye on other opportunities, available now or in the future?
In order not to miss out on any interesting internship offers we recommend to follow and frequently visit a couple of online services that gather fairly up to date info and where employers post their openings. Some of these websites cover mostly regular job vacancies, though usually there is a filtering option provided, enabling to focus on temporary positions available for students or other candidates with less or no experience.
Online services list
Online services list
https://sa.catapult.org.uk/work-with-us/space-placements-industry-spin/
https://jobs.spacetalent.org/?q=%22intern%22
https://www.spacehired.com/spaceinternships.php
http://www.eo4geo.eu/internship-and-project-work-offers/
https://www.airbus.com/careers/students-graduates.html
https://spacecareers.uk/?p=internships_placementshttps://erasmusintern.org/
https://www.sapienzaconsulting.com/space-defence-jobs-at-sapienza/
Online services list
https://sa.catapult.org.uk/work-with-us/space-placements-industry-spin/
https://jobs.spacetalent.org/?q=%22intern%22
https://www.spacehired.com/spaceinternships.php
http://www.eo4geo.eu/internship-and-project-work-offers/
https://www.airbus.com/careers/students-graduates.html
https://spacecareers.uk/?p=internships_placementshttps://erasmusintern.org/
https://www.sapienzaconsulting.com/space-defence-jobs-at-sapienza/
Getting to know with the most popular schemes
When a schedule of your studies is still a priority, it is convenient to be able to plan ahead. It is possible regarding some of the programmes which are open more or less non-stop or at the same time every year. The other advantage of such initiatives is possibility to prepare and meet the requirements, often the same or just slightly changed to the previous editions / rounds. The certain level of predictability also applies to some other conditions like duration, financial issues etc.
Overview of several programmes
Overview of several programmes
EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY
Internship opportunities at ESA will be published in November and will remain open for a month. Exceptionally this year, due to the uncertainties arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, the student internship programme will be offered remotely, with interns working from their place of residence, not hosted at an ESA site. (Only for very rare exceptions (e.g. where laboratory access is essential) will opportunities be offered on site.) This decision has been taken in response to the COVID-19 measures currently in place in ESA Member States, Associate Member States and Cooperating States and also across ESA establishments.
Internships are unpaid, however, a monthly allowance of €600 for non-residents and €300 for residents is granted. A non-resident is defined as someone living more than 50 km from the relevant establishment.
For more information, please visit:
https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/Student_Internships2
ESA Young Graduate Trainee (YGT)
A unique professional experience as part of a family of scientists, engineers and business professionals from all over Europe, working together on inspiring space missions in an international, multicultural and friendly environment.
ESA’s Young Graduate Trainee (YGT) Programme offers young graduates the opportunity to gain valuable on-the-job experience in the development and operation of space missions in an international and multicultural environment.
A salary of €2300 - €2700 per month (depending on location of the ESA establishment) exempt from national income tax in ESA Member States, as well as excellent employment conditions.
Travel expenses reimbursed at the beginning and end of the contract.
For more information, please visit:
https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/Graduates_Young_Graduate_Trainees
AIRBUS
The internship or placement program is designed to provide our students the opportunity to consolidate their theoretical foundation through practical experience. A major component of this experience is the formation of a professional attitude.
The students are expected to develop their personality and capacity to adapt to, and handle, challenging situations in the real business world. To qualify, you must be enrolled in a university and be looking for a placement that will last between three months and one year.
For more information, please visit:
https://www.airbus.com/careers/students.html
MAX PLANCK INSTITUTE
The MPIA offers up to four positions for internships every year to bright bachelor and master students who desire to acquire hand-on experience of research and instrument development in astronomy, or wish to fullfil their degree's requirement. The institute proposes students to work full-time for two to three months. Travel costs are supported and a salary is offered (about 1000€/month, or 820€/month net with full social benefits), as necessary. The internship typically takes place during the summer (between May and September) but not necessarily. Assistance will be provided to seek accommodations as close as possible to the institute or the city centre.
For more information, please visit:
https://www.mpia.de/en/careers/internships/summer
ASPIRE
ASPIRE is an 8-week online programme for highly-motivated students to work at the cutting-edge of astronomical research at the Anton Pannekoek Institute (API), University of Amsterdam. Our goal is to give you the experience of astronomical research at a world-leading institute and help kick-start your journey into a science career and all the other avenues it can open. You’ll gain new research skills and an advisor who will be your guide and mentor.
For more information, please visit:
https://aspire.science.uva.nl/index.html
EUMETSAT
EUMETSAT offers a small number of internships every year to students on courses with mandatory internship requirements. Internship placements are designed to provide experience in space systems engineering, satellite meteorology, or in work as a public, international organisation.
Placements are from one to maximum six months in duration. Please note that internship positions at EUMETSAT are offered as opportunities to develop your working-experience during your studies. EUMETSAT internships will not develop into a permanent position.
No salary is paid to interns who are still in studies, however a daily allowance and contribution to travel / accommodation costs may be provided. The conditions will be established taking into account the requirements and policy of the intern’s educational institution. Interns are responsible for providing their own health and accident insurance and for finding their own accommodation in Darmstadt.
For more information, please visit:
https://www.eumetsat.int/careers-eumetsat/internship-opportunities
EUSPA GSA
The European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA, formerly The European GNSS Agency - GSA) provides university students and graduates with a unique and first-hand experience of the workings of the EUSPA, in particular, and of the EU institutions in general. Currently, there are two types of traineeships:
Short-term unpaid traineeship to complete and validate mandatory academic requirements (maximum duration three months).
Regular paid traineeship (maximum duration one year)
For more information, please visit:
https://www.euspa.europa.eu/about/careers-euspa/traineeship-listing
Overview of several programmes
EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY
Internship opportunities at ESA will be published in November and will remain open for a month. Exceptionally this year, due to the uncertainties arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, the student internship programme will be offered remotely, with interns working from their place of residence, not hosted at an ESA site. (Only for very rare exceptions (e.g. where laboratory access is essential) will opportunities be offered on site.) This decision has been taken in response to the COVID-19 measures currently in place in ESA Member States, Associate Member States and Cooperating States and also across ESA establishments.
Internships are unpaid, however, a monthly allowance of €600 for non-residents and €300 for residents is granted. A non-resident is defined as someone living more than 50 km from the relevant establishment.
For more information, please visit:
https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/Student_Internships2
ESA Young Graduate Trainee (YGT)
A unique professional experience as part of a family of scientists, engineers and business professionals from all over Europe, working together on inspiring space missions in an international, multicultural and friendly environment.
ESA’s Young Graduate Trainee (YGT) Programme offers young graduates the opportunity to gain valuable on-the-job experience in the development and operation of space missions in an international and multicultural environment.
A salary of €2300 - €2700 per month (depending on location of the ESA establishment) exempt from national income tax in ESA Member States, as well as excellent employment conditions.
Travel expenses reimbursed at the beginning and end of the contract.
For more information, please visit:
https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/Graduates_Young_Graduate_Trainees
AIRBUS
The internship or placement program is designed to provide our students the opportunity to consolidate their theoretical foundation through practical experience. A major component of this experience is the formation of a professional attitude.
The students are expected to develop their personality and capacity to adapt to, and handle, challenging situations in the real business world. To qualify, you must be enrolled in a university and be looking for a placement that will last between three months and one year.
For more information, please visit:
https://www.airbus.com/careers/students.html
MAX PLANCK INSTITUTE
The MPIA offers up to four positions for internships every year to bright bachelor and master students who desire to acquire hand-on experience of research and instrument development in astronomy, or wish to fullfil their degree's requirement. The institute proposes students to work full-time for two to three months. Travel costs are supported and a salary is offered (about 1000€/month, or 820€/month net with full social benefits), as necessary. The internship typically takes place during the summer (between May and September) but not necessarily. Assistance will be provided to seek accommodations as close as possible to the institute or the city centre.
For more information, please visit:
https://www.mpia.de/en/careers/internships/summer
ASPIRE
ASPIRE is an 8-week online programme for highly-motivated students to work at the cutting-edge of astronomical research at the Anton Pannekoek Institute (API), University of Amsterdam. Our goal is to give you the experience of astronomical research at a world-leading institute and help kick-start your journey into a science career and all the other avenues it can open. You’ll gain new research skills and an advisor who will be your guide and mentor.
For more information, please visit:
https://aspire.science.uva.nl/index.html
EUMETSAT
EUMETSAT offers a small number of internships every year to students on courses with mandatory internship requirements. Internship placements are designed to provide experience in space systems engineering, satellite meteorology, or in work as a public, international organisation.
Placements are from one to maximum six months in duration. Please note that internship positions at EUMETSAT are offered as opportunities to develop your working-experience during your studies. EUMETSAT internships will not develop into a permanent position.
No salary is paid to interns who are still in studies, however a daily allowance and contribution to travel / accommodation costs may be provided. The conditions will be established taking into account the requirements and policy of the intern’s educational institution. Interns are responsible for providing their own health and accident insurance and for finding their own accommodation in Darmstadt.
For more information, please visit:
https://www.eumetsat.int/careers-eumetsat/internship-opportunities
EUSPA GSA
The European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA, formerly The European GNSS Agency - GSA) provides university students and graduates with a unique and first-hand experience of the workings of the EUSPA, in particular, and of the EU institutions in general. Currently, there are two types of traineeships:
Short-term unpaid traineeship to complete and validate mandatory academic requirements (maximum duration three months).
Regular paid traineeship (maximum duration one year)
For more information, please visit:
https://www.euspa.europa.eu/about/careers-euspa/traineeship-listing
Covid-19 impact, not entirely negative
The SARS-CoV2 pandemic circumstances have caused significant alterations when it comes to internship organization. In many cases a switch to working from home, like for the regular jobs, has been the only reasonable option beside cancelling or postponing. However, even after the situation gets back to (new) normal, some of the programmes are likely to keep remote collaboration as an option, especially when a direct, person-to-person contact is not absolutely essential. It should widen the access to positions so far not considered by part of the potential applicants, mainly because of location or too high costs.
Please do not forget to visit Future Space project’s website again, since it will be updated, other news and useful tips will appear here.