15 MSCA Doctoral Positions (PhD) in Planetary Exploration – EXODOCS Doctoral Network
Are you passionate about planetary exploration? Do you want to contribute to a flagship ESA Astrobiology mission? Would you like to join the ExoMars Rosalind Franklin Mission science team in the search for life on Mars?
This is a unique opportunity to launch your career in planetary science and space research.
We are excited to announce that the 15 PhD positions of the EXODOCS Doctoral Network are published on EURAXESS:
These positions are distributed across leading European institutions in planetary science and space research, offering cutting-edge training and direct involvement in ExoMars-related science and operations.
Application deadline: 31 May 2026
Aktuelle Ausschreibungen der ESA:
ESA Graduate Trainee positions have just been advertised at https://jobs.esa.int .
There are 110 vacancies listed, if I count correctly, all across ESA.
As a reminder, this scheme provides 1 year of employment at ESA sites, often extendable to 2 years, for graduates with Masters-level qualification.
Some of the posts relevant to Mars missions include:
Mars Orbiting Missions Operations Unit (ESOC, DE)
Systems Engineering for a Mars Precision Lander (ESTEC, NL)
Planetary Radio Occultation (ESTEC, NL)
ExoMars/Rosalind Franklin Mass Spectrometry Instrument Optimisation (ESTEC, NL)
Machine Learning & Accessibility for Space Science (ESAC, ES)
Positioning, Navigation and Timing for Lunar Mars Exploration (ESTEC, NL)
Human and Robotic Exploration Programme Management Support (ESTEC, NL)
Simulant Research and Development (Vulcan Facility) (ECSAT, UK)
Development and Integration of Tools for Supporting Field Science Activities (ESTEC, NL)
Science Mission Payload Preparation (ESTEC, NL)
More information at https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/Apply_now_to_be_an_ESA_YGT
Application deadline is 7 March.
