Postgraduate scholarship – European Space Agency – Netherlands

Are you interested in space security, geopolitics and the new threats facing Europe? The European Space Agency (ESA) is offering a postgraduate scholarship in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, to take part in projects relating to the resilience and security of European space systems.

The role is based in the Directorate for Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity, where you will work at the intersection of engineering, security analysis and public policy, collaborating with technical and institutional teams.

Benefits

• Professional experience at the European Space Agency.
• Work in an international and multidisciplinary environment.
• Involvement in projects relating to space safety, cyber security and geopolitics.
• Development of skills in threat analysis, risk assessment and strategic communication.
• Opportunity to collaborate with European institutions, Member States, industry and international partners.

Your role

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Analysing threats affecting European space systems.
• Studying risks related to cyber-attacks, interference, signal spoofing and vulnerabilities.
• Conducting analyses on political and geopolitical issues relevant to space security.
• Contributing to security, risk and resilience assessments.
• Prepare reports and analyses for ESA management and other bodies.
• Research open-source information on threats, technologies and incidents.
• Collaborate with other ESA teams and with international institutions and partners.

What kind of candidate are they looking for?

This call for applications is aimed at individuals who have recently completed, or are in their final year of, a Master’s degree in:

• Aerospace, telecommunications or systems engineering.
• Cybersecurity, computer science or security engineering.
• Security studies, international relations, political science or geopolitics.
• Other disciplines related to the duties of the post.

Skills and knowledge

Required:

• Knowledge of the technical and functional areas relevant to the post.
• General knowledge of the space sector and ESA’s activities.
• Ability to analyse, communicate and summarise complex technical or regulatory information.
• Ability to work independently and within multicultural teams.
• Demonstrated interest in space security, resilience, geopolitics and European space affairs.

The following will be regarded as an advantage:

• Experience gained through university projects, work placements, research or extracurricular activities.
• Knowledge of cyber security, risk and threat analysis, satellite communications or navigation systems.
• Knowledge of European security and defence policy.
• Experience in open-source intelligence (OSINT) research.
• Technical training combined with knowledge of or an interest in security policy, international relations or geopolitics.
• A background in public policy or international affairs, coupled with an interest in space systems and the technical threats they face.

Skills such as a results-oriented approach, cooperation, relationship management, continuous improvement and strategic/forward thinking will also be taken into account.

Other aspects to bear in mind

Motivation, professional outlook and career objectives will be assessed during the final stages of the selection process.

Due to the nature of the role, appointment may be subject to security clearance, export controls and background checks.

Nationality

Applications are open to nationals of ESA Member States, as well as certain associated and cooperating states, including Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, amongst others.

Application deadline: 30 September 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST.

 

More information: ESA