Intern in Innovation and Community Management for Space Exploration

Our team and mission

This position is based at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) - Noordwijk, Netherlands

The Commercialisation & Innovation Team is responsible for the development, and delivery of the E3P Commercialisation and Innovation Plan and the maintenance and ESA-wide delivery of the ESA Space Resources Strategy.

• Lead the development, monitoring and delivery of the overall of E3P innovation plan with the understanding that innovation actions are assigned to and implemented by the relevant HRE groups and teams;
• Stimulate new initiatives supporting HRE strategy, in particular with non-space industry;
• Ensure coherence with the overall strategy activities elaborated by the Strategy and Coordination Group.

For further information visit our web site: http://www.esa.int

Field(s) of activity for the internship

You can choose between the following topics:

1) Topic 1: Innovation Management

Support the development and implementation of the innovation activities for Human and Robotic Exploration Programs, for example proposing new innovation activities, facilitating exchange with other innovation teams in ESA, supporting evaluations of ideas etc.

2) Topic 2: Community Growth and Engagement

Support the development and implementation of community growth and engagement activities such as hackathons, workshops, and conferences taking place at the Erasmus Innovation Centre or elsewhere in Europe with the aim to exchange ideas and foster innovation between various stakeholders.

3) Topic 3: Content Development and Marketing

Support the content development for innovation and commercialisation activities by managing related social media channels and websites, producing blog posts, podcasts, videos, or animations. Work with the Erasmus Innovation Centre on developing the new exhibition as well as related content for the European Exploration Program Terrae Novae.

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking

Education

You must have student status and be enrolled at university for the entire duration of the internship. You should preferably be in your final or second to last year of a university course at master’s level in a technical or scientific discipline.

Additional requirements

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.

Additional Requirements:

1) Topic 1:

Good understanding of

• Innovation Management: Understanding the theories and models of innovation, such as the innovation diffusion theory, disruptive innovation, open innovation, etc., provides a foundation for managing innovative processes effectively.
• Business and Management: A solid understanding of business principles, strategic management, and organizational behavior is crucial for integrating innovation into the overall business strategy.
• Project Management: Familiarity with project management principles helps in planning, executing, and monitoring innovation projects efficiently.
• Creativity and Ideation Techniques: Knowledge of creativity-enhancing techniques and ideation methodologies helps in generating innovative ideas and solutions.
• Domain specific knowledge in science, technical or engineering industries is an advantage.

2) Topic 2:

Good understanding of

• Innovation management and community development knowledge of the role that communities play in innovation, how communities form, evolve and function.
• Strong communication skills which are essential for engaging with community members, understanding their needs, and effectively conveying the community's values and goals.
• Knowledge of marketing strategies and outreach techniques to promote the community, attract new members, and raise awareness of its activities and benefits.
• Analytical skills to measure community growth, track key performance indicators, and identify trends to make informed decisions.
• Community Engagement Strategies to keep community members involved and motivated, fostering a sense of belonging and commitment.
• Domain specific knowledge in science, technical or engineering industries is an advantage

3) Topic 3: 

Strong writing and communication skills are fundamental for creating compelling and engaging content. This includes grammar, style, storytelling, and adapting the tone for different audiences.

• Understanding content strategy principles to align content with business goals, target audience needs, and overall marketing efforts.
• Knowledge of marketing and audience research to identify target demographics, conduct keyword research, and tailor content to meet specific audience interests.
• Knowledge of graphic design, video editing, and multimedia production will be valuable.
• Familiarity with CMS platforms like WordPress, Drupal, or Joomla to efficiently publish and manage content online.
• Storytelling and narrative techniques to create compelling content that resonates with audiences.