Intern in the Vulcan Team

About the role

The European Space Agency (ESA) is seeking an intern to join the Vulcan Analogue Sample Facility team at Harwell, United Kingdom. The internship supports analogue sample research and development for future lunar and Martian missions, providing hands‑on experience in a multidisciplinary laboratory environment.

Key responsibilities

• Develop new analogue sample recipes for current and future space missions.
• Produce low‑ to medium‑fidelity simulants representing various planetary bodies and sites.
• Create high‑fidelity mechanical simulants for engineering and geotechnical testing, such as plume‑surface interaction and dust mitigation.
• Generate high‑fidelity ISRU simulants for resource extraction and additive manufacturing experiments.
• Investigate artificial (non‑geological) simulant components, including simulated agglutinates.
• Collaborate with other ESA teams, particularly Spaceship ECSAT, to integrate sample development with broader research projects.

Required profile

• UK citizenship, enrolment in a UK university, or pre‑settled status in the UK.
• Strong interest in planetary science, geology, or space exploration.
• Ability to work in a laboratory setting and follow safety procedures.

Required skills

What we offer

• Opportunity to contribute to cutting‑edge space exploration research.
• Access to ESA’s Vulcan Analogue Sample Facility and its specialised equipment.
• Mentorship from experienced scientists and engineers.