Engineering & Technology Internship

Duration

5 to 6 months.

Starting Date

Any time in 2027 (please state within your application your approximate preferred start date).

Internship Details

Please note that ESO does not sponsor visas for internships. Applicants are responsible for securing their own right to enter, live and work in Germany, which may include obtaining a visa.

ESO's engineering internships provide hands-on experience in an international scientific and technological environment and offer exposure to the activities of one of the world's leading astronomical organisations. Interns have the opportunity to support active research and development projects within the directorate, gaining practical skills at the forefront of ground-based astronomy and technology.

We offer a range of subjects to choose from, in different engineering fields:

• Data analysis of telemetry logs coming from our telescopes:
• VLT turbulent environment characterisation
• Local Large Language Models for engineering workflows

• Real Time Computing (RTC) for Adaptive Optics:
• LLM-assisted porting of VLT legacy code (SPARTA) towards the RTC toolkit for the ELT
• Modernisation of RTC data recording technologies
• A neural-network inference core for adaptive optics computers: latency and jitter benchmark
• Using AI (agents) to develop soft-RTC software based on the RTC toolkit
• The RTC toolkit control and monitor engineering GUI
• RTC toolkit distributed timestamp datapoints

• Control Software for astronomical instrumentation:
• Evaluation of TwinCAT PLC++ and migration to Linux-based PLC platforms

• Optical engineering:
• Using deep learning for optical misalignment diagnostics in large telescopes

• Wavefront control and phasing of the ELT:
• Analysis of the first test data from the ELT Phasing and Diagnostic Station

• Mechanical engineering:
• Mechanical design of the ELT Azimuth bridge carriage
• Modelling, analysis and test support related to vibration and control/structure interaction for the ELT telescope structure and hosted units
• Supporting ESO/ELT digitalisation through automated BIM information management and quality insurance

• Radio / sub-millimetre technologies (ALMA):
• System-level architectural exploration of future radio astronomy DSP backends
• Python migration of the ALMA bias module Automatic Test Equipment (ATE) software
• Development of cryostat window technologies for ALMA band 10.

More information and detailed descriptions of these subjects can be found here https://www.eso.org/sci/activities/fellowships-and-studentships/enginternships.html

Competences

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Technical background in the chosen field (e.g. software, optics etc.) sufficient to learn the subject quickly;
• Proactive attitude and willingness to learn;
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in multicultural teams;
• Good communication and interpersonal skills;
• An interest in astronomy and/or scientific instrumentation is an asset.

Qualifications

Applicants should meet the following requirements:

• Currently enrolled in a master's degree (or equivalent) in a STEM field;
• Academic background relevant to the internship subject area;
• Being a national of, or studying in, an ESO Member State (https://www.eso.org/public/about-eso/memberstates/)

Language Skills

A good working knowledge of English, oral and written, is essential.

Duty Station

The role is based on-site at ESO - Garching bei München and relocation to the duty station area for the duration of the internship is required.

Benefits

ESO offers interns:

• A monthly internship allowance to cover living expenses;
• Accommodation for the duration of the internship;
• Travel to and from the duty station at the beginning and end of the internship, in accordance with ESO rules.

Application

Applications must be completed in English, and should include:

• A cover letter (max one page) detailing your motivation for the internship at ESO, which internship project(s) you would like to choose and why, noting any relevant previous study, experience, or interests, and your desired starting date and duration;
• Your CV with an outline of your technical/practical experience and a list of publications, if any.

If you have any further questions, please contact: vacancy@eso.org.