ESA Graduate Trainee in Software Engineering for AI Applications in Science Operations

Job Requisition ID: 20232

Date Posted: 1 February 2026

Closing Date: 28 February 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication: External Only

Type of Appointment: ESA Graduate Trainee

Directorate: Science

Workplace:

Villanueva de la Cañada, ES

Grade Band: F1 - F1

Location

ESAC, Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain

Our team and mission

ESA maintains a world-leading Science Programme with missions in heliophysics, planetary science, astrophysics and fundamental physics. Its mission is to 'Empower Europe to lead space science'. The Department for Science Operations and Office for Science Engagement and Oversight host together the scientists and engineers that oversee the space missions, from study to end of operations. It defines and develops the science operation systems for the missions and operates the missions in space, as well as archiving and curating their data during operations and beyond.

Our main objective is to maximise the scientific output of ESA's space science missions for the benefit of humankind.

The X-ray Multi-Mirror observatory (XMM-Newton) is one of ESA’s major science missions. Launched in December 1999, it is still in excellent health and is expected to be operated for many more years to come. Staff and contractors at ESAC supporting the XMM-Newton Science Operations Centre (SOC) are responsible for all aspects of science operations. These include general support to the scientific community, handling of proposals for observations as submitted by astronomers, long- and short-term planning of observations, dealing with Targets of Opportunity, instrument monitoring and handling, scientific calibration, analysis software development, processing of the data to create standard products, and ensuring data distribution via the archive facilities.

More information at https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/xmm-newton

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

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

XMM-Newton has a rich set of operational data accumulated over 25 years of operations. This dataset covers the science planning domain, from the observing proposals from the scientific to the detailed spacecraft commanding timelines that implement these proposals, and the data processing domain which deals with subsequent processing the science data from the XMM-Newton instruments to the generation of pipeline products.

This traineeship will develop a system that provides an interface between Large Language/Large Reasoning Models, e.g through the Model Context Protocol or subsequent evolutions, and the operational data of XMM-Newton. The system will ensure the veracity of information returned by the Large Language/Large Reasoning Models.

Two subsequent demonstration applications are proposed:

• Development of a system that allows a user to ask questions about the operational status of XMM-Newton posed in speech and through natural language, verify answers, and generate results verbally or graphically in a display.
• Enhancement or simplification of a process in the XMM-Newton Science Operations Centre through Large Reasoning Models or Large Language Models and the use of XMM-Newton operational data.
  
  
  

To achieve this, you will study a selected set of science operations processes, the supporting data and data sources. You will need to interact with the science operation system developers and operations engineers to complete this study.

Technical competencies

Knowledge of relevant technical/functional domains

Relevant experience gained during internships, project work and/or extracurricular or other activities

General knowledge of the space sector and relevant activities

Knowledge of ESA and its programmes/projects

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 should have just completed, or be in the final year of your master’ s degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence or a related degree

Additional Requirements

You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team. Previous experience of working in international teams can be considered an asset. Your motivation, overall professional perspective and career goals will also be explored during the later stages of the selection process.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness

ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.

At the Agency we value diversity, and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via email at [email protected].

Important Information and Disclaimer

During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.

The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working 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 and Languages

Please note that applications can only be considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).

According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States*. When short-listing for an interview, priority will be given to external candidates from under-represented Member States*.

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.

• Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.
  
  
  

Who we recruit »

Recruitment Process »

What we offer »

Life at ESA »

FAQ »