Our team and mission

​Within the Exploration Science Office of the Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration, the Human Exploration Science Team (HRE-SH) conducts research that enables future human space exploration while leveraging spaceflight and analogue platforms to advance knowledge and improve human health on Earth. HRE-SH uses a wide range of terrestrial and (sub-) orbital research platforms, as well as the International Space Station (ISS), to investigate the effects of selected or combined spaceflight stressors on human health and performance. These platforms include parabolic flight, dry immersion, bed rest, isolated and confined environments, and spaceflight. This work focuses on the identification and mitigation of challenges to astronaut health and performance to enable the safe exploration of European Astronauts to low-Earth orbit, the Moon, and beyond. Furthermore, by leveraging the platforms developed for exploration, scientific experiments can be conducted under unique conditions, generating benefits on Earth in fields such as healthcare, ageing research, and health management. HRE-SH works closely with international partners, astronauts, medical support, and the scientific community to define and address operational needs and scientific priorities.

Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Background

Although upper extremity venous thrombosis also occurs on Earth, spaceflight conditions may increase its likelihood and make it a serious medical risk. Microgravity redistributes body fluids and can reduce or reverse venous blood flow, particularly in the head and neck, promoting venous stasis - one of the main mechanisms of thrombus formation. Managing this risk will become increasingly important during exploration missions, where constraints on mass, volume, crew time, medical expertise, and communication with Earth will limit available countermeasures. Several preventive approaches may modify venous flow or other contributors to thrombosis, but their evidence, safety, operational suitability, and readiness for in-flight use have not been assessed within a common framework. This internship will address this gap by reviewing evidence from ESA research platforms and relevant terrestrial clinical contexts to identify and prioritise countermeasures that could be safely and realistically implemented during spaceflight.

Aim

Based on a structured review of the available literature, you will assess candidate countermeasures according to their physiological mechanism, evidence of efficacy and safety, operational feasibility, and technology maturity. The findings will inform adjustments to scientific and operational priorities and roadmaps, support the translation of evidence into operational and technology requirements, and identify priorities for further validation.

Main activities

• conduct a structured review of relevant spaceflight, analogue, terrestrial clinical, and technology-development evidence;
• evaluate candidate approaches, including lower body negative pressure, venous thigh cuffs, modifications to existing exercise protocols, simple neck-flow interventions, respiratory or positional manoeuvres, and compact compression technologies;
• develop structured comparison tables to assess the evidence, safety, technology maturity, and operational feasibility of each countermeasure for future exploration missions;
• create a safety and decision framework separating routine prevention, use with abnormal flow or suspected thrombosis, and use after confirmed thrombosis;
• identify promising emerging technologies, rank the most suitable approaches using pre-defined criteria, and propose a validation study for the highest-priority option.

Expected outputs

The primary outputs will be an internal report documenting the literature-review methods, findings, and recommendations; evidence and technology-readiness matrices; a safety and decision framework; a prioritised shortlist; a validation-study concept; and concrete recommendations for updating ESA priorities and the venous thrombosis roadmap and for defining operational and technology requirements. Subject to the maturity and scientific novelty of the work, you will also prepare a manuscript for submission to a peer-reviewed journal.

Learning objectives

Through this internship, you will gain experience in systematic evidence synthesis, health-technology assessment, technology-readiness evaluation, risk–benefit analysis, human spaceflight operations, scientific writing, and translation of research evidence into practical recommendations for astronaut health.

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 in your final or second-to-last year of university course 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 assets:

• background in medicine, human physiology, biomedical engineering, health technology assessment, sports science, or a related field;
• good knowledge of cardiovascular physiology, haemodynamics, coagulation, venous thrombosis, or Virchow’s triad;
• experience with structured literature reviews, evidence grading, data extraction, and/or scientific writing;
• interest in medical devices, point-of-care diagnostics, ultrasound, technology-readiness assessment, or human spaceflight operations;
• ability to compare heterogeneous evidence critically, document assumptions transparently, and communicate conclusions clearly to scientific and operational audiences.

You should be able to work independently, manage a six-month analytical project, and collaborate effectively within an international and interdisciplinary team.