Our team and mission

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

The Radio Frequency Systems Division is responsible for RF end-to-end systems and associated laboratory facilities.

More specifically:

• Radio navigation systems and techniques for both the space and ground segment including engineering tools, receivers, signal processing, navigation algorithms, security techniques and technologies, formation flying RF metrology.
• Radio navigation systems implementation and verification activities, service preparation and the navigation ground segment implementation aspects.
• Telecommunication systems and techniques, for both the space and ground segment including engineering tools, digital communication techniques, signal processing, networks and protocols, telecommunication equipment, security techniques and technologies.
• Telemetry, tracking and command systems, including system tools, deep space and near-Earth transponders, proximity links, high speed payload data transmitters, digital communication techniques, signal processing techniques and secure communication techniques.
• Specification, design, development and testing of pre-commercial and commercial user segment and dedicated test facilities for telecom, navigation and Earth observation.

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

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic: Novel PNT receivers for the validation of radio navigation systems 

Novel PNT receivers are needed to validate the new functionalities added in the current GNSS satellites as well as in new radionavigation systems. During the internship, you will have the opportunity to study and implement new techniques to allow receivers to improve the time to fix and the accuracy of the Position, Timing and Navigation functions.

The work will include simulations and SW implementation of the studied techniques in SW receivers and Android applications already developed.  You will be supervised by a group of experts. Furthermore, you will get a hands-on experience with the Radio Frequency (RF) equipment of the navigation laboratory*; e.g. GNSS receivers, antennas, drones, stereo camera, RF recording and playback systems. 

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:

• The selected student should have a good knowledge (and a hands-on experience) with GNSS receivers and knowledge signal processing techniques applied to radio navigation.
• Furthermore, the student should have programming skills in Matlab/Octave, Python and Java for Android applications.