Our team and mission

This position is based at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) – Near Cologne, Germany

Under the direct authority of the Director General, the Communication Department is responsible for:

• Establishing and implementing the ESA communication policy, with the objective of fulfilling the Agency’s task to collect relevant information and disseminate it to Member States;
• Providing communication support for the preparation of future programmes, with the aim of heightening awareness of ESA and its space activities among the general public in the Member States;
• Acting as the Agency’s focal point and spokesperson for all interactions with the media;
• Preparing a three-year communication strategy as well as an annual communication plan presented to Council in December of each year;
• Interfacing with the Heads of Communication in the delegations of Member States through the Advisory Communication Committee (ACC);

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: Developing Public Persona for the ESA astronaut class 2022 members

ESA has selected a new class of astronauts in 2022. They have started basic training and start to perform activities of outreach, media and public relations. In order for ESA and them to identify a clearer positioning in their public appearances, the exercise consists in creating public personas for each of the new astronauts. You will work closely with the EAC Communications Officer and the Exploration Programme Communications Officer to develop and deliver this study.

2) Topic 2: Support the EAC Communications team with media visits

ESA/EAC is an attractive facility for European media to film. Regular media visits are organized on site, ranging from documentaries, to press conferences. You will have the occasion to learn to deal with media by supporting the EAC media relations officer in planning, preparing, and implementing such visits.

3) Topic 3: Support the EAC Communications team with fan relationship management

It is ESA’s responsibility to maintain a strong link with the general public. Therefore EAC receives a large amount of fan requests, ranging from letters to pass on to our astronauts, to requests for autographs. You will have the occasion to support the management and processing of those requests and potentially bring new ideas to develop this side of our activity.

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:

• The development of public personas is a technical process in the field of marketing

2) Topic 2:

• The relations with media require a basic knowledge of the context in which journalists operate

3) Topic 3:

• The management of relationships with fans requires a strong ability to understand how to communicate with the general public