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 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 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: Ground model for JUICE on-board memory

The Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) mission, faces a significant challenge due to the limited data rate for transmitting science data from Jupiter back to Earth. To address this, effective on-board memory management is essential to ensure all necessary data is downloaded in a timely manner, avoiding data loss and planning for upcoming science observation opportunities. This internship aims to develop a ground model that simulates JUICE’s on-board memory status over time to aid the data downlink prioritization process.

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 in the following would be an asset:

• Programming and testing;
• Python;
• Algorithm design;
• Data processing.