Summer Internship in Science Communication

ESO's Department of Communication (COMM) comprises more than 20 staff with a range of complementary expertise ranging from astronomy, writing, image processing, video production, social media, publishing, web production and design to event organisation. It is responsible for all aspects of internal and external communication for the Organisation. In ESO's Chile Department of Communication you will work with a team of professional science communicators for the preparation of ESO's local announcements and press releases, social media content, scripts, exhibitions and other public communication products and activities, like the public visits that take place at ESO observatories every weekend.

Project:

Upgrade of ESO's visitor experience and media database optimization

One of 2026 challenges is the upgrade of the visitors' experience at its observatories and during the biggest outreach event of the year: ESO Open House (OH) at Vitacura offices. On this regard, the intern will support three key initiatives: updating the public visits scripts and talking points that the guides use during the 3-hour guided tour to ensure engagement, interest and understanding of the observatories mission for it its different audiences (high school students and teachers, families with small kids, and adults with interest in science); propose improvements to the OH based on visitor satisfaction surveys from previous years, and organizing the media database to better support promotion of these and other activities and events among COMM's responsibilities.

The selected student will help review and edit the tour scripts, contribute to content improvement of diverse COMM's products (announcements, reports, SM videos and others), alongside with working on updating, enriching, and profiling the database of national journalists who can cover topics related to the observatory's work: from the scientific field to tourism and educational entertainment. The intern will collaborate closely with the COMM Chile team and participate in coordination meetings throughout the project.

Reports to:

Outreach Officer

Requirements:

Candidates currently enrolled in a University degree in science, communications, audio-visual careers and pedagogy are eligible.

Key Competences and Experience:

• Strong written communication skills, basic knowledge of science communication principles, familiarity with visual media formats and scripts, science understanding and organizational competence are highly desirable.

• The candidate should have interest in communicating astronomy and other physical sciences to the public and availability for occasionally travelling to the sites (Antofagasta and Coquimbo).

• We require strong MS Office applications skills (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

Language skills:

The position requires being fluent in Spanish and English, both written and oral.

We offer

ESO offers a special allowance during the period you are performing your internship with us. The duration of the internship is 3 during summer 2026 (January to March).

Duty Station:

ESO's Offices in Vitacura, Santiago, with travels to the observing sites (Antofagasta and Coquimbo regions).

Application

We invite students from Chilean Universities in an advanced stage of their career to apply. The apprenticeship should be supported by the University and therefore covered by the accident insurance (Law 16.744).

If you are interested in working in areas of frontline technology and in a stimulating international environment, you are invited to apply online at http://recruitment.eso.org/.

Applications must be completed in English and should include a motivational letter and a CV. Please also include a portfolio showcasing a selection of your work that is relevant to this position, demonstrating your skills and creativity. Additionally, having experience or completed projects in the field of science communication will be considered a significant advantage.

Closing date for applications is 2 October 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 excluded, however non-Chilean applicants must have a pertinent working permit, according to Chilean regulations, at the time of the application. The post is equally open to suitably qualified candidates irrespective of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity or religion.