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Working at ESO
Are you interested in working in areas of frontline technology and in a stimulating international environment? Do you feel your profile matches our requirements? Learn more about our current vacancies and apply online. Read more..
The European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere (ESO) is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe and the world's most productive ground-based astronomical observatory. ESO carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities enabling astronomers to make important scientific discoveries.
ESO operates three unique world-class observing sites in northern Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor (home to ALMA and APEX), and the ESO Headquarters are located in Garching, near Munich, Germany.
At Paranal, ESO operates the Very Large Telescope, the world's most advanced visible-light astronomical observatory, and will host and operate the southern array of the Cherenkov Telescope Array, the world's largest and most sensitive high energy gamma-ray observatory. ESO is a major partner in ALMA, the largest astronomical project in existence. And on Cerro Armazones, ESO is building the 39-metre Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), which will become "the world's biggest eye on the sky" and whose operations will be fully integrated into the Paranal Observatory.
ESO is offering the opportunity for pupils between the age of 14 and 18 to join us for a one-or two week internship at our headquarters of Garching bei München in the framework of their school programme.
ESO will offer a comprehensive programme showing several aspects of the work being done at ESO including:
- Astrophysical research
- Laboratory experiments in optics, mechanics, electronics
- Software development for telescope and instrument control
- Data reduction
- Project management
Requirements:
We are looking for pupils showing an interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), in particular for astronomy, astrophysics, astronomical telescopes and instrumentation (including optics, mechanics, electronics, software development, data reduction and/or information technology).
The internship shall be part of the compulsory school programme, therefore insuring adequate social security, medical cover and accident insurance coverage for the period of the internship.
Language skills:
The internship requires good communications skills (oral and written) in English.
Practical information:
- The internship is free of charge.
- ESO shall not bear any costs for the intern's transportation to and from ESO premises.
- The internship days are typically from 09:00 until 17:00 with one-hour break for lunch. A small variation around those hours could be needed depending on the activities proposed.
- ESO does not have a canteen on-site but micro-wave ovens in the cafeteria. There are some bakeries and Imbiss on the campus.
For any further questions please contact vacancy@eso.org
Application:
If you are interested in our internship opportunities, you are invited to apply online at http://jobs.eso.org/. Applications must be completed in English and should include a motivation letter (1 page and specifying the dates of the internship), your CV and your last school report. Please also join the official letter and form from the school (this one does not need to be in English) Please note that only complete applications will be accepted.
You will receive a feedback at least 6 weeks prior to the Praktikum/Internship dates and at the latest by 31 March 2025.
ESO Values
An important element in any successful employment relationship is harmony in values between an organisation and its people.
The ESO Values are:
ESO strives for excellence through innovation.
ESO provides outstanding services to its communities.
ESO fosters diversity & inclusion.
ESO believes in the key role of sustainability for its future.
Achieving the above are recognized as only possible on the basis of personal values and attitudes that we expect from our employees: respect, integrity, accountability, commitment, collaboration, and clear & open communication.
Applicants to any ESO role are asked to reflect on their affinity with these values and advised they may be asked about them if called for interview.
Diversity
ESO has established diversity as an important value of the Organisation, is committed to providing an equal opportunities environment and is actively seeking to promote a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce. Please visit https://www.eso.org/public/about-eso/sustainability/dei-at-eso/ for further details.
Nationality
No nationality is in principle excluded from employment at ESO, however, recruitment preference will be given to nationals of our Member States, host states and strategic partners: Australia, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Chile, irrespective of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity or religion.