The European Southern Observatory (ESO) — the world’s most productive ground-based astronomical organisation — offers a prestigious internship programme at its headquarters in Garching, near Munich, Germany. The ESO Internship Program is fully funded and open to students from all nationalities worldwide, providing hands-on experience in one of the most exciting fields in modern science: astronomy and astrophysics. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with a deadline of 31 December 2026 for internships starting within the programme cycle.
Key Details
- Host Organisation: European Southern Observatory (ESO), Garching bei München, Germany
- Duration: Typically 2–6 months (flexible start dates throughout 2026)
- Eligible Applicants: Students from all nationalities — no country restrictions in principle
- Fields: Astronomy, Astrophysics, Physics, Engineering, Software Development, Science Communication, and related disciplines
- Funding / Benefits:
- Travel expenses covered (to/from ESO Garching)
- Accommodation assistance or on-site accommodation
- Living expenses/subsistence allowance covered
- Access to world-class research facilities and telescopes (VLT, ALMA, ELT data)
- Application Requirements:
- CV (maximum 2 pages)
- Motivation letter (in English)
- Reference letter from a supervisor
- Applications are reviewed every 4–6 months on a rolling basis
- Deadline: Rolling — up to 31 December 2026
- Official Application Portal: recruitment.eso.org
How to Apply
Visit the ESO Recruitment Portal at recruitment.eso.org, browse available internship positions, and submit your CV, motivation letter, and reference letter through the online system. Applications are reviewed periodically, and shortlisted candidates are contacted directly. Given the rolling nature of admissions, early applications are strongly encouraged.
ESO operates some of the world’s most powerful telescopes, including the Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile and the upcoming Extremely Large Telescope (ELT). Interning at ESO means contributing to genuine frontier research in cosmology, exoplanets, black holes, and stellar physics — an unmatched experience for any aspiring astronomer or physicist.
Always verify deadlines and details on the official ESO recruitment portal before applying.