How to get a job at the European Space Agency

Hi Spacecats, I'm Dr Maggie Lieu and welcome to my channel, where you can find all things space, astronomy and physics! In this video I talk about some of the job opportunities available at the European space agency ESA.

Extra reading:

ESA YGT programme:

ESA NPI project:

ESA research fellowship:

ESA open days

Media credits:
Galaxy cluster: ESA/Kornmesser
Hubble: ESA/Hubble/Kornmesser
YGT: ESA
ESA DSN: ESA
ESA open day: ESA

If you enjoyed the video, please consider by liking, sharing and subscribing! I'm also on:

[willemvandebeek]

Oh man, to work for ESA would be a dream come true.

[togethereasy]

I remember I also asked this question in a comment half a year ago. I love your videos, keep it up.

[tomharrisonjones]

OMG, this is the video I've been needing for years hahaha, thanks a lot!

[georgplaz]

Such a shame you don't have more subscribers. You put so much effort into your videos ❤️

[solomchuk]

Another roundabout way to work for ESA is to get a job at one of its industrial partners (full disclosure - I work for one such company). Depending on your location and chosen field, it might be easier to get than direct employment at ESA. But it also does not guarantee you'll land a role you actually want, and the amount of involvement with the Agency you'll see can vary a lot. There is also a fairly constant flow of people switching industry jobs to work directly for ESA and vice versa.

[matejxx]

I'm going to be applying for the next years internship this november, however as a math master student I'm kinda scared that my lack of previous research/ projects is really going to hurt my chances.

[jenslorden]

Great video Maggie!
It's too bad that I don't have a chance at working at ESA because I'm self taught.
Although I have been toying with the thought to do a PhD at the same time as I continue to work.

[joanm.g.h.]

I just finished high school and I'm about to start an ICT/IT study. I feel like I'm never going to make it all the way to be able to work at the ESA :/

[MonaichFother]

Had a job with an ESA subcontractor - fired after two decades after forging Contact Engagement and Separation Force testing ESTEC Spec ESA 3402, never did it once in all that time test results were falsified to approve components for launch (more info if you're interested). Two decades of faux components in orbit above your head right now.

[TheHobyman]

Hey Dr. Lieu, I intend to apply for this year's ESA young graduate program and I'm wondering if you have any tips and tricks for this type of application? Looking forward to hearing back from you! Thanks :)

[mimolinodeviento]

Great video Maggie! I'm about to finish my MSc in Space Systems and have applied for a YGT position on artificial intelligence (I have done previous internships on this subject, and it is my passion). As you explain in your video, this program is very competitive, so I'm also considering some other options for next year: I have been offered a PhD position on AI at the site where I'm currently developing my MSc thesis but I'm not sure if I should accept it, since I have been told that regular positions at ESA don't usually require a PhD but they do require a few years of working experience. Does this apply to artificial intelligence positions at ESA? Starting a PhD is a huge commitment so I want to make a well-informed decision... what would you recommend as my next step, to accept the PhD position or to look for a relevant job to gain working experience?

[billyboy]

You forgot the National Traineeship! How could you!?!? 🤔😉

[fohemmer]

Do you think it is possible to apply directly for a permanent position as a recent MSc in engineering? I've already done some research activities and I'd like to join ESA maybe through YGT followed by a permanent position, do you see it possible?

[dohaizzah]

please can u make subtitles in french cause i wanna learn more about your subject . good luck love u

Good video! I'm about to finish my MsC in Industrial engineering. Do you think that this year would be any chance due to Covid situation? Being from Spain I would like to work in Madrid, what do you focus in there in Madrid?
Thanks Maggie! Keep going like this!

[Sedativ]

I never should've get master in petroleum engineering... Aerospace engineering is my passion, but I discovered that to late in my life :(

[mateoslab]

I am studying electrical and electronic engineering at university and it has been a dream of mine since I was a child to work for space. I plan to do masters in embedded systems after I graduate, what jobs could this get me at esa?

Thank you!!

[snokalo]

Did she call developing an app non-technical? Or did she just word that sentence wrong, cuz I assure you app development is technical lol

[halfbloodprince]

Can I work as a planetry geologist as there. Plzz reply

[nashmit]

Does ESA have regular engineer/scientist jobs? All these programs cover only academic, short time period jobs, but I suspect they also have long term position too, right?