ESA Graduate Trainee in Earth Observation Foundation Modelling

Job Requisition ID:20262

Date Posted:1 February 2026

Closing Date:28 February 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication:External Only

Type of Appointment:ESA Graduate Trainee

Directorate:Earth Observation Programmes

Workplace:Frascati, IT

Grade Band:F1 - F1

Location
- ESRIN, Frascati, Italy

Our team and mission
You will work in the Invest Office of the ɸ-lab Division, within the Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes (EOP). The Invest Office focuses on Earth Observation commercial aspects and oversees investment in industrial innovation within the commercial Earth Observation domain. Φ-lab manages the ESA Investing in Industrial Innovation (InCubed) programme. While institutional and private European space actors have so far created a flourishing Earth Observation sector in Earth science, meteorology, environmental and security monitoring, the Earth Observation market is undergoing a rapid transition, with new implementation approaches (e.g. constellation of micro-satellites,



vertical integration of spaceborne with non-spaceborne data), new industrial players (e.g. IT companies) and new funding models (e.g. PPP, venture capital). It is crucial for Europe to adapt to this rapidly evolving market and seize the opportunities it provides. Φ-lab is designed as an open working environment bringing together ESA staff and external space and non-space actors, innovators, data scientists, and investors on a permanent or temporary basis.

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship
We are in the middle of a perfect storm in Earth Observation, with the convergence of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, increasing data availability and new commercial actors rapidly reshaping the sector. These dynamics are accelerating the emergence of advanced, large-scale Earth Observation AI models, which are becoming a key enabler of new commercial services and downstream innovation.As a Graduate Trainee, you will

📌 Esa Graduate Trainee in Earth Observation Foundation Modelling (Frascati)
🏢 European Space Agency
📍 Frascati