Noordwijk (Netherlands)
ESA Graduate Trainee in Human Biology Wet Laboratory Support for Wound Healing Research
Noordwijk, NL
Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Our team and mission
Within the European Space Agency’s (ESA)’s Directorate for Human and Robotic Exploration, the Exploration Science activities are a cornerstone of the Explore2040 strategy, driving innovation at the intersection of human exploration and scientific discovery. It integrates exploration-focused science, essential for future missions, with exploration-enabled science, leveraging space for groundbreaking research. With access to ground-based analogues, the ISS, future commercial LEO platforms, the Lunar Gateway, the Moon, and Mars, the programme offers unique opportunities for transformative research in diverse environments. Guided by European values of collaboration, excellence, and responsibility, the programme emphasizes open science, international cooperation, and inspiring future generations. From developing countermeasures for spaceflight's stressors to searching for life on Mars, ESA Exploration Science advances knowledge for space and Earth alike.
You are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int
Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship
You will support laboratory activities for a wound healing tissue model experiment. You will help prepare materials and reagents, set up and maintain sterile mammalian cell culture, and assist with the assembly of tissue model samples used to study tissue repair.
You will contribute to experimental execution, including routine culture maintenance, sample collection at defined time points, basic staining procedures, and microscopy-based imaging for qualitative and quantitative assessment.
You will be involved in documenting procedures and results in a clear and traceable way, organising raw data, and supporting the preparation of short summaries for internal reporting. You will also participate in troubleshooting and in the optimisation of workflows to improve repeatability and robustness of the experimental process.
Learning objectives include: gaining hands-on experience with sterile laboratory practices; understanding how tissue model experiments are planned, executed and documented; improving skills in experimental rigour and data handling; and working effectively within a multidisciplinary and multicultural team.
Technical competencies
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 should have just completed, or be in the final year of your master’s degree in Biology/Biotechnology/Bioengineering or related fields.
Additional requirements
You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team. Previous experience of working in international teams can be considered an asset. Your motivation, overall professional perspective and career goals will also be explored during the later stages of the selection process.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.
At the Agency we value diversity, and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via email at contact.human.resources@esa.int.
Important Information and Disclaimer
Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.
The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.
Nationality and Languages
Please note that applications can only be considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).
According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States*. When short-listing for an interview, priority will be given to external candidates from under-represented Member States*.
The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.
*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.
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