Intern in the Climate Action, Sustainability and Science Department, Earth Explorer Mission WIVERN

Our team and mission

The Earth and Mission Science Division, of the Climate Action, Sustainability and Science Department, Earth Observation Programmes Directorate, is based at the European Space Research and Technology Centre. The Earth and Mission Science Division provides the creative vision for innovation and new discoveries in Earth system science, using Earth Observation (EO) in close cooperation with the scientific community.

The Earth and Mission Science Division team:

• Bridges science and technology by translating ideas and concepts into technical reality and scientific success. It does this by defining, consolidating and managing scientific mission requirements throughout all phases of a mission, and by measuring the maturity of the resulting mission concept.
• Manages scientific research-based studies, providing the scientific foundation for mission concepts and approval, supports the successful development of space and ground segment, in-orbit satellite commissioning and in-orbit scientific achievements.
• Undertakes airborne, marine and terrestrial campaigns contributing the development of new technologies, mission feasibility assessments, calibration/validation and application development.

You will work in the Earth and Mission Science Division, whose role is to provide broad mission science support throughout the preparation and development of Earth Observation missions. Your activities will contribute to and benefit from a diverse and international team of scientists working across a variety of Earth Science disciplines.

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic of the internship: Earth Explorer 11 WIVERN End-to-End Simulation

WIVERN is ESA’s 11th Earth Explorer Mission. It will provide the first-ever wind measurements within clouds, along with simultaneous observations of cloud and precipitation properties. These data products are expected to make a major contribution to improving weather forecasting.

Physical model studies have already shown that WIVERN can significantly reduce numerical weather forecast errors. With artificial intelligence rapidly advancing in the field of forecasting, WIVERN data are also expected to play an important role in this domain. One key objectives is to assess the contribution of WIVERN data to reducing forecast errors using AI methods. To achieve this, we need to generate simulated WIVERN data for implementation in an AI-based forecasting environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• identify and suggest improvements to existing simulation tools, both in terms of methodology and user-friendliness;
• run simulations to generate the required WIVERN data products for use in AI-based forecasting experiments;
• apply performance evaluations to construct, assess, and quantify science data (Level-2) error budgets.

Further information on the WIVERN mission is available here:

https://esamultimedia.esa.int 

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 studying 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.

Knowledge and background in the following domains are required:

• a strong background in atmospheric science, particularly in winds, clouds, and precipitation applications;
• demonstrable programming skills in Python.

Knowledge of active microwave radar or passive remote sensing is considered an asset.