Intern in the Science Engagement and Oversight Office - A Logarithmic Map of the Gaia DR4 Universe

Location

ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Our team and mission

Under the direct authority of D/SCI, the Head of the Science Engagement and Oversight Office is responsible for overseeing the scientific content of the Programme, interfacing with the scientific community and providing scientific expertise to studies, projects and missions, also in other Directorates as needed.

You will work within the Gaia mission scientists’ team in the Astrophysics Section of the Office. The Gaia mission has been built and operated to map our home Galaxy in many dimensions with unprecedented precision and has brought a golden age for astronomy. Its data cover more than two billion sources, extending from the Solar System through the Milky Way to remote galaxies and quasars. The next data release, Gaia DR4, takes place on 2 December 2026 and consists of a huge and revolutionary catalogue with diverse data products on stars, exoplanets, black holes, double stars, variable stars, galaxies, quasars, asteroids, moons of planets, comets, and much more.

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

Topic of the internship: A logarithmic map of the Gaia DR4 universe

The logarithm map of the Universe, originally devised by Richard Gott and Mario Jurić in the early 2000s ( www.astro.princeton.edu/universe , A Map of the Universe) , is a powerful tool to display the entire range of astronomical scales in the Universe, from the Earth's neighbourhood to the cosmic microwave background. Although the map was primarily devised to visualise the distribution of quasars in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey in the high-redshift Universe, the latest (fourth) Gaia data release ( www.cosmos.esa.int/web/gaia/data-release-4) calls for a Gaia-dedicated update of the map. Due to its logarithmic nature, the map will provide exemplary proof of the full scientific reach of Gaia, ranging from asteroids, comets, and Kuiper Belt Objects in the Solar System, through nearby stars (and exoplanets and black holes), star clusters, spiral arms, and the Milky Way as a whole (including halo streams), to the Local Group (including the Magellanic Clouds, M31, and nearby dwarf galaxies), and unresolved galaxies and distant quasars that make up the Gaia Celestial Reference Frame.

You will work on creating such an updated map, using the 100+ data products in the latest data release to visualise the Gaia Universe. Extensions to three dimensions (two sky coordinates and logarithmic distance) can be considered. You will also add selected structures described in the peer-reviewed literature, for example halo streams and star clusters. Depending on your interest, the internship can also involve other aspects, for example additional Python coding to make the map interactive or story writing for associated outreach and education based on the map.

Objectives of the internship are

• learn how ESA runs its revolutionary Gaia mission in a highly multi-cultural environment;
• enhance Python coding skills;
• gain hands-on experience with the Gaia archive and Gaia data products;
• broaden astronomical knowledge of Gaia’s latest data release;
• exercise creative thinking and problem solving;
• work in a team.

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 university course 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.

During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.

The internship is suitable for candidates with a broad interest in astronomy.

Some experience with Python is an asset but the internship offers ample opportunity to improve programming skills.

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 ESA.Student.Internships@esa.int .

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

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