Our team and mission

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

Under the direct authority of the Earth Observation programmes, the Copernicus Space Office is responsible for programmatic activities relevant to Copernicus and performs the lead role for the strategic and coordination activities related to Copernicus. He acts as interface with the European Commission for Copernicus. The Copernicus Space Office is the interface for ESA’s Copernicus activities within and outside ESA, it ensures their coordination by the implementing departments and ensures the oversight of the Copernicus Space Component (CSC).

The tasks of the Copernicus Space Office include, in particular:

• Monitoring the Agency’s Copernicus activities and ensuring their coordination;
• Ensuring cooperation with the Commission in the implementation of Copernicus by interfacing the DG DEFIS Earth Observation Unit and other Commission services, and the ESA Directorate of European, Legal & International Matters;
• Coordinating the implementation of the Agreements with the EU/Commission on Copernicus (Copernicus Agreement, EU-ESA FFPA and Contribution Agreement) in collaboration with the ESA-EU Matters Committee, including the reporting obligations to the Commission and ESA Member States, and support negotiations for any amendments conducted under the lead of D/ELI;
• Initiating and coordinating ESA CSC Programme planning;
• Preparing Copernicus programmatic documents and supporting the necessary negotiations with the Commission, ESA Member States and other partners involved in the CSC;
• Coordinating, in close cooperation with the relevant departments and offices, the preparation and maintenance of the CSC Long Term Scenario document, including security aspects;
• Coordinating the recording and traceability of CSC related risks ESA internally and towards the Commission;
• Making proposals for the use of resources allocated to the CSC Programme based on inputs from the Departments, and preparing decisions for D/EOP as and when required;
• Coordinating the implementation of Copernicus activities resulting from the European Space Policy and related programmatic decisions on Copernicus;
• Supporting the implementation of Copernicus outreach and communication activities in the frame of the EOP communication strategy prepared and managed by EOP-C;

among others.

For further information visit our web site: http://www.esa.int

Field(s) of activity for the internship

You can choose between the following topics:

1) Topic 1: Copernicus Space Component sustainability

Article 30 of the Financial Framework Partnership Agreement between the European Commission and the European Space Agency on the implementation of the European Union Space Programme foresees that the parties collaborate to jointly define modalities to reach the European climate neutrality goal by 2050 by cooperating on activities contributing to this target such as assessing the footprint of the activities implemented under the FFPA. The intern will continue the work initiated by previous interns and in particular focus on the identified open points and recommendations with the aim of defining the processes and documentation to be put in place in order to measure, monitor, and improve sustainability of Copernicus Space Component activities.

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2) Topic 2: Copernicus and Security. Future scenarios and implications

Security aspect are of growing concern across Europe. As an EU led programme, Copernicus is called to address these concerns. The intern will continue the work initiated by previous interns, explore open points and recommendations, and update the related reference EU Communications with recent/imminent releases such as the Council Conclusions on the EU Space Strategy for Security and Defence and the EU Space Law. On these bases the intern will explore the potential short/medium/long term implications of emerging security requirements on the Copernicus Space Component.

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3) Topic 3: Applications for Large Language Models and block chain technologies in Copernicus Space Component evolution

Chat GPT and other generative text models of artificial intelligence (AI) are being utilised by employees to carry out their work across a variety of industries. Global consultancy firm McKinsey and Company says nearly 50% of its workforce uses ChatGPT and other generative AI with explicit permission from management and guidelines in place to prevent the divulgence of sensitive information (Franzen, 2023). Block chain technologies are being introduce in order to properly trace and monitor products during their lifecycle, and expedite quality control, delivery and payment processes. The intern will be asked to explore and identify potential application of these technologies to the design, development and operations of the Copernicus Space Component.

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking

Education

You must have student status and be enrolled at university for the entire duration of the internship. You should preferably be in your final or second to last year of a university course at master’s level in a technical or scientific discipline.

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.

Additional Requirements:

1) Topic 1:

• Climate change, sustainability, carbon neutrality and engineering. Familiarity with the aerospace sector

2) Topic 2:

• International relations, engineering, familiarity with the aerospace sector, security and EU policies

3) Topic 3:

• Engineering, Management, AI and block chain applications in industrial processes, system operations and program management