Intern in The Mission Management and Ground Segment Department

Intern in the Mission Management and Ground Segment Department- **Job Requisition ID**:19911- **Date Posted**:1 November 2025- **Closing Date**:30 November 2025 23:59 CET/CEST- **Publication**:External Only- **Type of Contract**:Intern- **Directorate**:Earth Observation Programmes- **Workplace**:Frascati, IT**Location**
ESRIN, Frascati, Italy
** Our team and mission**-
-Under the direct authority of the Director of Earth Observation Programmes, the Head of the Mission Management and Ground Segments Department is responsible for the management of the EO missions handled by ESA in their Phase E2, and for the design, development and operation of the related Payload Data Ground Segments (PDGS) as well as the related data management.-In executing these functions, the Head of Department is supported by the:
-- Mission Management and Product Quality Division (EOP-GM)
- Copernicus Ground Segment and Data Management Division (EOP-GC)
- ESA Ground Segment and Data Management Division (EOP-GE)
- Project Control and Management Support Office (EOP-GP)
-Under the ESA Ground Segment and Data Management Division, the section of Common Services (EOP-GES) is responsible for:
-- Earth Observation data management through the design, implementation and operations of data acquisition, generation, access and archiving services to users including the day-to-day interface to the users;
- Evolution of the Earth Observation data management concept and architecture in response to emerging operational needs and including specific R&D projects.

** Field(s) of activity for the internship**-

Background
The earth observation domain is exceptionally relevant at this time, becoming determinant in the definition of earth models for the prediction of environmental changes and at the same time identification of factors that could reduce their impact. The science community is confronted with a challenge objective for which it is critical to provide all the necessary elements for effective research. The increased amount of information and data available, however is creating the need of guiding scientists in the discovery and utilisation of satellite data suitable to their scope.-
-Objective-How
Your interfaces are ESA employees and possibly the industrial engineering teams involved in AI projects. You will:
-- Initially familiarise with the context, including basic concepts of data management and discovery.-
- If time allows, a deepening of the internship could occur in one or both the following tasks:

- develop a graph generation mechanism for a Large Language Model (LLM). Starting from a pre-existing RAG database, the chart generation mechanism should interpret the data in the vector database and generate a graph from a discrete set of graphs. The LLM should additionally be able to receive inputs in order to generate new data information;
- use unsupervised learning on a database of 60K+ quality control reports in order to discover patterns and insights into the data without any explicit guidance or instruction.
-- Present findings and project results to team members, stakeholders, and leadership.
-You will produce a final report of the obtained results.-
** 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 studying at master’s level. In addition, you must be able to prove that you will be 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 ESA Member State language is an asset.-Knowledge and background as following:

- good programming (e.g. scripting) skills and/or data management skills;
- familiar with project/service management principles.
** Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness**
- **Important Information and Disclaimer**
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests.
- The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding internship conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.
- **Nationality**
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