Our team and mission

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

Within ESA’s Human and Robotic Exploration Directorate, the Human Exploration Science Office has the mission to advance human exploration into deep space, harvesting unique knowledge that can improve life and health in space and on Earth. The main objectives of the team are to better understand the fundamental mechanisms and responses to the different deep space stressors on biological and physiological processes; to optimise and personalise countermeasures to manage spaceflight adaptation and mitigate the risks of deep space; to push the frontiers of habitability to advance sustainable human exploration in deep space; and to foster and inspire translation of space-acquired scientific knowledge to address terrestrial challenges.

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic of the internship: In-situ food production for human exploration missions

We are offering an exciting internship opportunity to delve into the field of biotechnology and food production for human space exploration missions. As we are preparing for a 3-year-round trip to Mars, resources that can be taken on this mission will be limited, with little allocation available for food and water. Therefore, autonomous systems need to be devised that ensure nutritional requirements of the crew are met. The objective of this internship is to perform a bibliographic study on the state of the art in the field of autonomous food production techniques in space that is based on fungi, insects, micro-algae and other organisms.

Working closely with the human exploration science team and other teams at ESA (e.g. the ESA MELiSSA team), you will analyse and synthesise published work. The outcome will be a publishable report that highlights research priorities and key players in this field under the context of meeting nutritional requirements of crew during long-duration missions.

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 a background in the field of biotechnology, targeted at food production, agriculture, autonomous systems, or other relevant fields.