Fascination for Space Science:
Join the German Trainee Programme!
ESA is keen to involve young, talented people when achieving its goals, through its own Young Graduate Trainee Programme, or through national programmes such as the German Trainee Programme.
The German Trainee Programme (GTP), is an "Agreement between ESA and DLR for the Training of German Young Graduates on Space Technologies", and was created in 2009.
Young people deciding to participate in the GTP should have completed a Master's degree within the last two years, a passion for space science, creativity and team spirit, as well as curiosity about working in an international atmosphere.
Promoted by the Federal Ministry for Economy and Technology (BMWi), the Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) and ESA have set up the GTP, whose goal it is to supply young bright minds with excellent 'on the job qualifications' for a future career with ESA or in space industry.
Martin Lingenauber, has worked as a GTP-Trainee at ESA’s Space Technology Center, ESTEC, in the Netherlands since October 2010: "For me personally the GTP is a great opportunity to get to know Space Science on the European level, and to be a witness of the political negotiations behind space programmes. This is, indeed, a very enriching personal experience!"
Approximately ten applicants are selected every year. The German Trainees generally have an engineering or space related background and are financially supported by the DLR for a maximum of two years.
GTP-Vacancies go online once a year in late summer/early autumn. See the DLR link for more details.
As a Trainee every young German graduate takes over a challenging role in one of the ESA space projects. They work side by side with specialists from the 19 ESA Member states and are supported throughout their traineeship by experienced ESA mentors.
Who can apply for the GTP?
The GTP targets young graduates of German nationality who have acquired their university certificate or their master degree within the last two years. Trainees work at one of our ESA locations in Germany, France, Italy, Spain or the Netherlands. The programme can last between one year and up to a maximum of 24 months.
In 2010 the first 11 trainees of the GTP began work in the following ESA centres: ESOC (Darmstadt, Germany), ESRIN (Frascati, Italy) and ESTEC (Noordwijk, The Netherlands.Another eleven trainees will have joined by the end of this month.
GTP-Contact:
Frau Dr. Olivia Drescher-Schwenzfeier
Wissenschaftliche Leitung
Vorstandsbüro Berlin-Mitte
German Trainee ProgrammeDeutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt
Markgrafenstr. 37, 10117 Berlin
Tel. +49 30 670 55 476
E-Mail: Olivia Drescher-SchwenzfeierFrau Larissa Seidlez
Strategie und Entwicklung
Geschäftsstelle ESA-PersonalangelegenheitenDeutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt
Linder Höhe, 51147 Köln
Tel. +49 2203 601 4711
E-Mail: Larissa Seidlez
Other national trainee programmes have now been set up for Spain, Portugal and Greece through bilateral agreements between ESA and the following organisations:
Spain: Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico Industrial (CDTI)
Portugal: Agência de Inovação
Greece: State Scholarships Foundation IKY
