Graduate Trainee

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ESA Graduate Trainee in Space Security, Threat and Geopolitical Analysis
Job Requisition ID: 20876
Date Posted: 1 February 2026
Closing Date: 30 September 2026 23:59 CET/CEST
Publication: External Only
Type of Appointment : ESA Graduate Trainee
Directorate: Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity
Workplace:
Noordwijk, NL
Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Our team and mission
The Directorate of Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity supports Europe's ability to anticipate, withstand and respond to threats affecting satellite navigation and secure connectivity services that underpin everyday life, including transport, energy, health, defence and civil protection. This requires close engagement with European institutions, Member States, industry, academia and international partners to build a coordinated and resilient European space posture.
As Europe's reliance on space systems grows, so does its exposure to cyber attacks, jamming and spoofing of satellite signals, physical interference with ground and space infrastructure, supply-chain dependencies and wider geopolitical tensions. Understanding both the technical characteristics of these threats and their policy and geopolitical context is essential to keep European navigation and connectivity services safe, dependable and resilient.
Under the direct guidance of the Head of the Space Resilience Office, you will work at the interface between engineering, security analysis and policy. You will help the team assess threats to space systems, understand their strategic implications and position resilience activities within Europe's wider security and defence framework. The opportunity is therefore suited to candidates from either a technical or policy background who are motivated to develop a multidisciplinary perspective.
You are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int
Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship
You will contribute...