German National Graduate Trainee in Earth Observation Data Science
Job Requisition ID: 20518
Date Posted: 22 April 2026
Closing Date: 20 May :59 CET/CEST
Publication: External Only
Type of Appointment: National Graduate Trainee
Directorate: Earth Observation Programmes
Workplace: Frascati, ITESRIN, Frascati, Italy
Grade Band: F1 - F1
Our team and mission
As a National Graduate Trainee, you will join the Enterprise Section within the Green Solutions Division in the Earth Observation Directorate’s Climate Action, Sustainability and Science Department. The team works on innovative applications of Earth Observation (EO) data, focusing on new data sets such as satellite video or hyperspectral imagers, advanced processing methods like inverse SAR, micro‑doppler, multi‑data fusion or machine‑learning pattern recognition, and novel opportunities for EO integration.
The Section promotes the European EO service supply sector on a global scale and supports its growth and competitiveness. It implements resilience and security‑oriented activities by developing actionable EO‑based information through advanced data fusion, AI‑driven analytics, and integration with non‑EO sources, addressing complex societal threats, critical infrastructure protection, and crisis response.
Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship
Focus: Design, implementation, and validation of innovative signal‑processing techniques for security‑related EO applications.
Develop and assess advanced signal‑processing techniques to improve detection of moving targets.
Research SAR acquisition configurations and processing strategies to enhance spatial resolution and extract motion‑related target parameters.
Analyze and develop signal‑processing methods to characterize the dynamic behaviour of targets.
Integrate and fuse SAR‑derived information to support improved target detection, classification, and characterization for security‑related use cases.
Assess the state of the art in SAR‑based target detection and security applications.
Interact with scientific, industrial, and operational stakeholders, and support end‑user consultations.
Contribute to research dissemination, including scientific and technical publications and participation in workshops and events.
By the end of the traineeship, you will have:
Acquired in‑depth technical knowledge of spaceborne SAR systems and products.
Developed hands‑on experience in signal‑processing techniques for moving target analysis.
Strengthened experience in collaborative research environments involving academic, industrial, and operational stakeholders.
Enhanced scientific communication skills through contributions to high‑quality technical reports and peer‑reviewed publications.
Technical competencies
Knowledge of relevant technical/functional domains.
Relevant experience gained during internships, project work, or extracurricular activities.
General knowledge of the space sector and related activities.
Knowledge of ESA and its programmes/projects.
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
Education
You should have just completed, or be in the final year of a master’s degree in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline.
Additional Requirements
Good interpersonal and communication skills; able to work independently and as part of a multicultural team. Previous experience in international teams may be considered an asset. Motivation, professional prospects, and career goals will be explored during later stages of the selection process.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and an inclusive working environment. Applications are welcome from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability, or other characteristics.
Where possible, we accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can provide assistance during the recruitment process. For discussions,
Important Information and Disclaimer
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Successful candidates will also undergo basic screening by an external background screening service, in compliance with ESA’s security procedures.
The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not exhaustive and may not address all questions.
Nationality and Languages
Applications are considered only from nationals of Germany or permanent residents of Germany with the nationality of an ESA Member State, Associate Member, or Cooperating State.
The working languages are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of an additional member‑state language would be an asset.
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