Intern in the XR-Lab

This position is based at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) - Near Cologne, Germany. The Software and Artificial Intelligence Team, drives innovation in HRE projects and initiatives across diverse exploration destinations such as LEO, the Moon, Mars, and Earth analogues. The team develops and integrates advanced software and AI technologies to support flight experiments, operational tools, and simulators. By creating and executing strategic plans, we ensure alignment with ESA and HRE objectives, while exploring and using cutting-edge technologies like AI, XR (eXtended Reality), IoT (Internet of Things), and Quantum Computing to enhance mission capabilities for both flight and ground segments.

As a central hub for software innovation, the team collaborates with internal and external tech experts to highlight the crucial role of advanced software in exploration. The team is structured around four core pillars: AI, XR, IoT, and Quantum technologies, with data serving as a foundational element throughout. This comprehensive approach ensures the effective integration of state-of-the-art technologies, positioning the team at the forefront of exploration advancements.

The intern will be responsible for developing training scenarios that may be taught to astronauts through VR while they are on the ISS. This project aims to explore whether VR is a suitable medium to deliver high-quality and engaging on-board training.

Both internships will also focus on analyzing current tools and ongoing projects in the XR-Lab. Interns will complement these projects, which are based on Unreal Engine for MR and Unity for AR, by creating or modifying relevant additional tools or models in close collaboration with the XR-Lab team.

Candidates must have student status and be enrolled at university for the entire duration of the internship. Applicants should preferably be in their final or second to last year of a university course at master’s level in a technical or scientific discipline.

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.

Additional requirements for Topic 1: Ensuring models are optimized for interactive real-time XR usage. Strong background in 3D-Modelling and Texturing. Experience in Autodesk Maya, 3ds Max or Blender is mandatory. Experience in creating optimized UVs. Experience in 3D animation would be an asset. Ability to accurately reconstruct 3D objects from technical drawings, CAD models, photos, and videos. Knowledge of rendering techniques and systems (Draw calls, DirectX, Forward/Deferred Rendering, etc.) would be an asset. Experience in Unreal Engine or Unity Engine would be an asset.

Additional requirements for Topic 2: Ability to autonomously organize and progress though software implementation projects. Proven experience with Unreal Engine 5 (Blueprints, Materials, UMG and lighting techniques) is mandatory. Experience developing interactive applications (VR / Game). General familiarity with 3D modeling, rendering, and game development processes. Ability to optimize 3D models to work in mobile VR applications. Knowledge of unreal engine performance optimization. Knowledge in 3D animations is an asset. Experience with the git / git-lfs version control system is an asset.

Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia, as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Cyprus as European Cooperating States (ECS).