Internship: Science Presenter at ESO Supernova

The ESO Supernova is an education facility, which attracts approximately 60,000 visitors per year. Housed within the facility is a 14-metre-diameter planetarium and a 2,200-square-metre interactive exhibition. The facility is open five days per week, from Wednesday to Sunday, with occasional special events held outside of core hours.

Why This Internship?

As an intern at the ESO Supernova you will work alongside a team of professional science communicators and educators to support an engaging and dynamic programme of public-facing activities designed to inspire our visitors, including presenting planetarium shows, leading guided tours and delivering hands-on activities.

This internship provides an invaluable opportunity for students, recent graduates or early-stage career professionals to gain real-world experience in science communication. You will:

• Develop a versatile skill set applicable to careers in education, public engagement, science outreach, and beyond;
• Build confidence in public speaking and interactive learning techniques;
• Work in an inspiring environment dedicated to making science accessible and engaging for all;
• Have the chance to contribute meaningfully to science education and communication efforts at ESO Supernova.

Additionally, through your involvement in various projects and with our support, you will have the opportunity to:

• Learn about the mission of ESO and the workings of an intergovernmental organisation;
• Develop an understanding of the practical day-to-day operations of a busy science education facility;
• Explore different methods for engaging varied audiences with complex scientific topics.

By the end of your internship, you will have gained hands-on experience, refined your science communication skills, and developed a deeper understanding of engaging diverse audiences with astronomy and space science.

Key Requirements:

We are seeking enthusiastic individuals interested in gaining hands-on experience in face-to-face science communication and exploring careers in science centres or museums. Key requirements for this exciting internship opportunity include, but are not limited to:

• Prior experience in public outreach, particularly in German and English, with a focus on astronomy, physical sciences, or engineering;
• Strong foundational knowledge and interest in astronomy (e.g., stargazing, basic telescope functionality, key astronomical objects);
• Confidence in delivering scientific content to diverse audiences, both in one-on-one interactions and larger group settings;
• Patient, approachable, and dependable, with excellent communication skills;
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team;
• Comfortable working in low-light environments;
• Willingness and availability to work weekends, public holidays, and evenings as outlined below.

This role offers a unique opportunity to develop science communication skills in an engaging and educational environment.

Key Responsibilities and Learning Opportunities:

1. Planetarium Show Presentation

• Learn how to operate state-of-the-art planetarium equipment and software (DIGISTAR).
• Develop and deliver engaging, interactive planetarium presentations to diverse audiences.
• Adapt storytelling techniques to explain complex astronomical concepts in an accessible way.
• Receive support and feedback to refine your public speaking and audience engagement skills.

2. Guided Tours and Exhibition Facilitation

• Conduct guided tours of the ESO Supernova exhibition and ESO Headquarters, tailoring explanations to different visitor groups.
• Gain expertise in effectively communicating scientific information to non-expert audiences.
• Learn how to handle visitor questions and create an interactive and informative experience.
• Collaborate with experienced staff to refine your delivery and improve engagement techniques.

3. Hands-On Science Activities and Workshops

• Assist in the preparation and delivery of hands-on science activities for school groups, educators and the general public.
• Explore best practices for interactive learning and audience participation.
• Develop skills in adapting educational content to different age groups and learning styles.
• Work with the team to innovate and improve existing outreach materials.

4. Science Communication and Outreach Development

• Contribute to the development of new science communication resources (e.g., scripts, presentations, digital content, exhibition content).
• Research latest developments at ESO to inform content development/improvements for the exhibition.
• Gain experience in designing and refining engaging educational exhibition content for use in a science centre setting.
• Learn how to evaluate audience engagement and adapt content based on visitor feedback.
• Assist in special outreach events, to further expand the facility's impact.

5. Operational and Technical Training

• Acquire an understanding of the day-to-day operations of a leading science education facility.
• Learn troubleshooting techniques for minor technical issues during live presentations.
• Develop problem-solving skills and the ability to improvise in live settings.
• Gain experience working in a structured yet flexible team environment.

6. Professional Development and Mentorship

• Participate in mentorship sessions with experienced science communicators.
• Engage in constructive feedback sessions to improve communication and presentation skills.
• Explore potential career pathways in science communication, museum education, and public engagement.
• Network with professionals in the field and learn about opportunities within intergovernmental organisations like ESO.

7. Scientific and Technical Knowledge

• Attend scientific and technical talks by ESO employees and external scientists.
• Develop knowledge of astronomical research and the required technology to advance these fields.
• Network with professional astronomers and engineers and learn about different careers paths in the field.

Qualifications:

Applicants currently studying or having recently completed a University degree in science, science communication or engineering are preferred.

Language skills:

The position requires good communications skills (oral and written) in both English and German. Applicants should be comfortable having a conversation about astronomy in both languages

Remuneration and Contract:

Internship opportunities are offered throughout the year. Internships take place in Garching near Munich, Germany (a remote or hybrid internship is not possible) and the duration of the internship is six months. The standard working pattern for this position is Tuesday to Friday 9:00 - 17:00, with occasional work on weekends (one day, ca. twice per month), evenings (ca. once per month) and on public holidays (up to one public holiday during a six month internship). On average the position requir es up to ca. 32 hours per week. Any work outside of normal office hours is compensated with time off in lieu. We offer a monthly allowance to cover your living expenses and we provide accommodation. We also cover the cost of a return trip from/to your home city. 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 (one page) and your CV (two pages). Please note that only

complete applications, with all required materials in English, will be accepted.

As this is a rolling position, there is no application deadline. Please state within your application your approximate preferred start date, if you have one. Applications are reviewed every four to six months throughout the year.

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. 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, for Chile, to students enrolled in a South American university irrespective of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity or religion Chile, irrespective of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity or religion.