Intern in the Space Medicine Team, Space Cataract

Intern in the Space Medicine Team, Space Cataract

Job Requisition ID: 20043

Date Posted: 1 November 2025

Closing Date: 30 November :59 CET/CEST

Publication: External Only

Type of Contract: Intern

Directorate: Human and Robotic Exploration

Workplace:Porz-Wahn, DE

Location

EAC, Porz-Wahn, Germany

Our team and mission

Based at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC), ESA's Space Medicine Team (SMT) comprises medical doctors, biomedical engineers, exercise physiologists, psychologists, IT specialists, administrators and project managers. Each plays a vital role in ensuring the health and well-being of astronauts during all stages of a mission.

To better support astronauts during current missions to the International Space Station and prepare for human missions beyond low Earth orbit, the Space Medicine Team is working to identify, evaluate and develop new space technologies and procedures. This process involves collaborating with ESA's technology teams and Human Research Office to identify existing space-relevant technologies and scientific knowledge, and looking outside of ESA at terrestrial technology developments and the wealth of current science knowledge concerning human health. The Space Medicine Team work in close partnership with national space agencies, industry, research institutions and universities from across ESA's Member States.

For further information on space medicine internships, please follow this link.

Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website:

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic of the internship: Space Cataract

Excessive exposure to ionising radiation during space missions may lead to a faster development of cataract, leading to potential problems with vision during/after spaceflight. This could have potentially severe impacts on astronauts' performance and mission success. In addition, there are currently no therapies to treat cataract in-flight. Therefore, we must get a better understanding of how quickly this problem could progress to a clinically significant level when crew is exposed to high doses of space radiation due to Galactic Cosmic radiation and/or large Solar Particle Events.

Also to be considered is the fact that the degree of lens opacification may function as a bio-dosimeter. Monitoring the lens in a more sensitive and objective way than the current classic slit-lamp clinical evaluation may provide better insight into how this condition develops over time with various degrees of radiation exposure. Furthermore, the ESA Space Medicine Team is interested in the potential relationship between cataract due and the development of other radiation-induced health problems, like neuro-degenerative issues and cancers.

You are sought to perform a systematic review / investigation on technological developments which can detect and grade early stages of cataracts and/or harness the human lens as a bio-dosimeter.

If time allows, the project could also include writing a scientific research proposal or a tech-demo.

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 must be a university student, preferably studying at master's level. In addition, you must be able to prove that you will be enrolled at your University for the entire duration of the internship.

Additional requirements

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another ESA Member State language is an asset.

During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.

Desired skills/academic background:

• Enrolled student of Medicine in the final stages of their Master, preferably with a strong interest or experience in ophthalmology and/or radiation;
• Experience in the use of Rayyan or other software for systematic reviews, Mendeley for citation management and SPSS for data/statistical analysis/machine learning.

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

Important Information and Disclaimer

During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests.

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.

The information published on ESA's careers website regarding internship 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

Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

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