ESERO Ireland Award for a Work Experience and/or a Career Investigation within the Space Science and Technology Sector

To enter this stream of the competition you must undertake a Work Experience Placement in any area involving space science and technology. This sector covers subject areas including physics, maths, chemistry, biology, computer science, agricultural science, technology, engineering, and more (see some careers listed below for inspiration).

• Aerospace Engineer - Designs and tests spacecraft, satellites, and space-related systems.
• Astrophysicist - Studies the physics of the universe, including stars, galaxies, and black holes.
• Planetary Scientist - Research planets, moons, and other celestial bodies within and beyond our solar system.
• Satellite Communications Specialist - Manages and maintains satellite communication systems for data transfer and broadcasting.
• Astronomer - Observes and analyses stars, planets, and other celestial objects using telescopes and data models.
• Space Medicine Specialist - Focuses on the health of astronauts and how space environments affect human physiology.
• Space Robotics Engineer - Designs and develops robotic systems for space missions, such as Mars rovers.
• Mission Control Specialist - Monitors and manages spacecraft operations during missions.
• Space Policy Analyst - Advises governments or organisations on space law, regulations, and international cooperation.
• Astrobiologist - Studies the possibility of life beyond Earth, examining environments on other planets and moons.
• Astrochemist - Studies and analyses the composition of objects in space, including stars, planets, moons, asteroids, and meteors.
• Astronaut - Goes to space! Participates in human spaceflight missions, flies and crews spacecraft, and does experiments in space.

Go to the CareerExplorer to research a full list of occupations.

Go to the Physics, Mathematics & Space Science sector page for information about this sector in Ireland.

If you can't find a work experience placement in this area you can still enter this competition by completing the Career Investigation section of the competition based on a career in the space science sector.

To Apply

Students apply to the competition in the normal way. Your application will be eligible for any of the main prizes and will also be included in this category. The full competition page can be accessed here.

About the Sector

There are so many exciting career opportunities to discover in this area. With space exploration expanding rapidly, it's an exciting and evolving field that provides career opportunities for innovation and discovery.

Space science careers include a wide range of industries, roles, and disciplines globally, with ESA (European Space Agency) being a widely recognised multi-national agency in this field. ESERO Ireland, an education project of the ESA that is co-funded by Research Ireland, aims to spark young people's passion for STEM, build their skills, and empower them to pursue careers in space while also raising awareness of the vital role space research, exploration, and applications play in shaping modern society.

Irish companies such as Ubotica enhance Earth Observation capabilities globally by using AI to empower them with real-time understanding of what they see. Lattice Space Systems focus on developing lightweight deployable booms, solar arrays, and antennae for CubeSats. Réaltra Space Systems Engineering deliver innovative space electronics solutions, and Celtonn develops Millimetre Wave semiconductors capable of transmitting data at 6G speeds.

There are also a wide range of careers in the research sector, which includes fields like planetary science, astronomy, and astrobiology, where researchers work to understand the universe, study celestial bodies, and search for extraterrestrial life. With 50 years of being a key part of numerous space missions as a member of ESA, Ireland's first satellite EIRSAT-1, developed by a team from UCD, was launched in 2023. This builds on a rich astronomical heritage: Ireland was once home to the world's largest telescope, the Leviathan at Birr Castle in Offaly. Birr is now host to the I-LOFAR radio telescope, part of a global consortium which includes TCD, DIAS, Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, University of Galway, DCU, UCC, and TUS.

Opportunities in satellite communications, Earth observation, and space-based navigation systems are crucial for industries such as telecommunications, climate monitoring, and global positioning systems (GPS).

Moreover, space law, policy, and ethics are growing fields as international interest in space exploration increases. Careers in business development, project management, and marketing within aerospace corporations or space tech startups also contribute to the commercialisation of space.

Space medicine and biology, focusing on human health in space environments, and space robotics, which develops autonomous systems for planetary exploration, further highlight the interdisciplinary nature of this sector.

This breadth ensures that individuals with varied skills and educational backgrounds - accommodating those with vocational training, university degrees, or advanced research ambitions - from engineering and science to business, law, and health - can find rewarding roles within the space industry and research.

To find out more about ESERO and ESA projects you can participate in, check out the ESERO Ireland website.