ESA Graduate Trainee in Impact of Cumulative Reliability and Radiation Effects on Commercial SSDs
European Space Agency (ESA)
Intern Internship Close on 28 Feb 2026
Noordwijk, NL
Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
The opportunity is shared within two sections in the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality/Electrical
Department/Avionics and EEE Division: Radiation&Component Reliability and Component sections.
We support ESA projects with expertise in selection and testing of EEE components both with respect to radiation and
robustness/reliability. We also assure conformance to requirements and participate in failure and anomaly investigations.
A very well equipped component analysis laboratory is available, this also contains a Co60 total dose irradiation source.
The sections also runs contracts for developments and evaluation/qualification of EEE components and also for new test
approaches and techniques.Finally the sections are responsible for the European Space Component Coordination which includes qualification of European EEE.
You are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int
You will contribute to the evaluation of cumulative reliability and radiation effects on commercial solid-state devices intended for use in space applications. These devices, widely used in terrestrial systems, are increasingly considered for space missions, but their long-term behaviour under radiation and ageing stress must be carefully understood.
Your activity will start with construction analysis to understand the different technologies used in advanced three-dimensional flash non-volatile memory. By analysing device architecture, materials, and stacking approaches, you will gain insight into how technological choices influence reliability and radiation sensitivity. This understanding will provide the foundation for interpreting experimental results obtained later in the activity.
You will then evaluate different solid-state devices with respect to program and erase cycling and data-retention wear-out.
You will investigate how ageing mechanisms related to repeated memory operations and long-term storage progressively
degrade electrical and functional performance.
A key part of your work will focus on the interaction between ageing and radiation effects. You will analyse how ageing influences sensitivity to single-event effects by comparing radiation characterisation results obtained before and after device ageing. You will also study the impact of program and erase ageing on total ionising dose response, assessing how accumulated wear modifies electrical parameter degradation under dose.
Your work will include participation in test planning, improvement and optimisation of the test bench, analysis of electrical
and functional data, and interpretation of trends related to parameter drift, functional margins, and failure mechanisms.
You will work closely with experienced engineers and contribute to technical documentation that consolidates experimental
results into clear and justified conclusions.
This traineeship combines construction analysis, test bench development, experimental data evaluation, and physical
understanding of semiconductor ageing and radiation effects, offering practical insight into how commercial devices are
assessed for demanding environments.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the traineeship, you will be able to:
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook
You should have just completed, or be in the final year of your master’ s degree in any of the areas Electrical or
Electronic Engineering, Microelectronics, Embedded Systems, Computer Engineering or Physics.
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.
