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Applying to European Space Agency (ESA) · researched 30 Oct 2026

How to apply to European Space Agency (ESA)

Apply to a specific ESA vacancy on its recruiting site with your motivation letter, CV and highest education certificate; after the deadline ESA shortlists candidates, may ask for an on-demand video pre-screening or a written test, holds a panel interview (most online, on Microsoft Teams; leadership roles add a Leadership Competency Assessment), and makes an offer followed by a medical, a background screening and checks of referees and diplomas.

, the SpaceJobs.Now board shows 36 open European Space Agency (ESA) roles.

European Space Agency (ESA) careers site (opens the job details)

The European Space Agency (ESA) application, one step at a time

Researched Oct 2026

Apply to a specific ESA vacancy on its recruiting site with your motivation letter, CV and highest education certificate; after the deadline ESA shortlists candidates, may ask for an on-demand video pre-screening or a written test, holds a panel interview (most online, on Microsoft Teams; leadership roles add a Leadership Competency Assessment), and makes an offer followed by a medical, a background screening and checks of referees and diplomas.

Who can apply

  • ESA accepts applications from citizens of ESA Member States, Associate Members and Canada as a Cooperating State.
  • Nationals of European Cooperating States can apply for ESA Graduate Traineeships and Internal Research Fellowships.

Step by step

  1. 1

    Apply to a specific vacancy

    Submit your application on ESA's recruiting site with your motivation letter, CV and highest education certificate attached; you receive an automated confirmation email. ESA is unable to accept open applications.

  2. 2

    Shortlisting

    After the deadline, the recruitment team draws up a shortlist of candidates to invite to interview. If you are not shortlisted, ESA tells you by email.

  3. 3

    Pre-screening

    Depending on the post, you may be asked to complete a virtual on-demand pre-screening interview or to take a written test.

  4. 4

    Leadership Competency Assessment (leadership roles)

    For ESA leadership roles, the selection process includes a Leadership Competency Assessment.

  5. 5

    Final interview

    A panel of interviewers holds the interview; most ESA interviews take place online on Microsoft Teams.

  6. 6

    Offer

    A selected candidate receives a personal notification, then a job offer intention email, then ESA's final appointment offer.

  7. 7

    Medical, background and security checks

    You complete a basic medical screening for the ESA Medical Officer and a basic background screening run by an external party; in a second stage ESA contacts your referees and verifies your diploma.

ESA's pre-screening and panel interview

A virtual on-demand pre-screening interview or a written test for some posts, then an interview with a panel; leadership roles add a Leadership Competency Assessment.

Format

On-demand video or a written test, then a panel interview, most of them online on Microsoft Teams

How to prepare

  • Write the motivation letter for the specific vacancy: ESA considers only applications to a published vacancy, never open applications.
  • Check the vacancy's list of eligible nationalities before you apply: Member States, Associate Members and Canada for most posts, and European Cooperating States for Graduate Traineeships and Internal Research Fellowships.
How long it takes

ESA's recruitment page states no time for any stage; you are told the outcome of your application by email.

Tips to get hired

  • Attach all three documents ESA asks for: a motivation letter, a CV and your highest education certificate.

What isn't public

  • ESA's recruitment page gives no timeline for any stage and does not say which posts have a written test.
  • Which countries are Member States, Associate Members and Cooperating States changes over time; each vacancy's own notice lists the eligible nationalities.
Sources (1)

Current European Space Agency (ESA) openings

All 36 open roles

Applying to European Space Agency (ESA): questions

Who can apply for a job at ESA?

Citizens of ESA Member States, Associate Members and Canada as a Cooperating State; nationals of European Cooperating States can apply for ESA Graduate Traineeships and Internal Research Fellowships.

What are the steps of ESA's recruitment process?

An application to a specific vacancy, shortlisting after the deadline, a video pre-screening or written test for some posts, a panel interview (a Leadership Competency Assessment for leadership roles), an offer, then a medical, a background screening and checks of referees and diplomas.

Does ESA accept open applications?

No: only applications for a specific vacancy, submitted through ESA's recruiting site, can be considered.

Are ESA interviews online?

Most are: ESA says most of its interviews take place online on Microsoft Teams, with a panel of interviewers.

How soon does European Space Agency (ESA) reply to an application?

ESA's recruitment page states no time for any stage; you are told the outcome of your application by email.

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