The ESO Supernova is an education facility, which attracts approximately 60,000 visitors per year. Housed within the facility is a 14-metre-diameter planetarium and a 2,200-square-metre interactive exhibition. The facility is open five days per week, from Wednesday to Sunday, with occasional special events held outside of core hours.

Why This Internship?

As an intern at the ESO Supernova you will work alongside a team of professional science communicators and educators to support an engaging and dynamic programme of public-facing activities designed to inspire our visitors, including presenting planetarium shows, leading guided tours and delivering hands-on activities.

This internship provides an invaluable opportunity for students, recent graduates or early-stage career professionals to gain real-world experience in science communication. You will:

Develop a versatile skill set applicable to careers in education, public engagement, science outreach, and beyond;

Build confidence in public speaking and interactive learning techniques;

Work in an inspiring environment dedicated to making science accessible and engaging for all;

Have the chance to contribute meaningfully to science education and communication efforts at ESO Supernova.

Additionally, through your involvement in various projects and with our support, you will have the opportunity to:

Learn about the mission of ESO and the workings of an intergovernmental organisation;

Develop an understanding of the practical day-to-day operations of a busy science education facility;

Explore different methods for engaging varied audiences with complex scientific topics.

By the end of your internship, you will have gained hands-on experience, refined your science communication skills, and developed a deeper understanding of engaging diverse audiences with astronomy and space science.

Key Requirements:

We are seeking enthusiastic individuals interested in gaining hands-on experience in face-to-face science communication and exploring careers in science centres or museums. Key requirements for this exciting internship opportunity include, but are not limited to:

Prior experience in public outreach, particularly in German and English, with a focus on astronomy, physical sciences, or engineering;

Strong foundational knowledge and interest in astronomy (e.g., stargazing, basic telescope functionality, key astronomical objects);

Confidence in delivering scientific content to diverse audiences, both in one-on-one interactions and larger group settings;

Patient, approachable, and dependable, with excellent communication skills;

Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team;

Comfortable working in low-light environments;

Willingness and availability to work weekends, public holidays, and evenings as outlined below.

This role offers a unique opportunity to develop science communication skills in an engaging and educational environment.

Key Responsibilities and Learning Opportunities:

1. Planetarium Show Presentation

Learn how to operate state-of-the-art planetarium equipment and software (DIGISTAR).

Develop and deliver engaging, interactive planetarium presentations to diverse audiences.

Adapt storytelling techniques to explain complex astronomical concepts in an accessible way.

Receive support and feedback to refine your public speaking and audience engagement skills.

2. Guided Tours and Exhibition Facilitation

Conduct guided tours of the ESO Supernova exhibition and ESO Headquarters, tailoring explanations to different visitor groups.

Gain expertise in effectively communicating scientific information to non-expert audiences.

Learn how to handle visitor questions and create an interactive and informative experience.

Collaborate with experienced staff to refine your delivery and improve engagement techniques.

3. Hands-On Science Activities and Workshops

Assist in the preparation and delivery of hands-on science activities for school groups, educators and the general public.

Explore best practices for interactive learning and audience participation.

Develop skills in adapting educational content to different age groups and learning styles.

Work with the team to innovate and improve existing outreach materials.

4. Science Communication and Outreach Development

Contribute to the development of new science communication resources (e.g., scripts, presentations, digital content, exhibition content).

Research latest developments at ESO to inform content development/improvements for the exhibition.

Gain experience in designing and refining engaging educational exhibition content for use in a science centre setting.

Learn how to evaluate audience engagement and adapt content based on visitor feedback.

Assist in special outreach events, to further expand the facility's impact.

5. Operational and Technical Training

Acquire an understanding of the day-to-day operations of a leading science education facility.

Learn troubleshooting techniques for minor technical issues during live presentations.

Develop problem-solving skills and the ability to improvise in live settings.

Gain experience working in a structured yet flexible team environment.

6. Professional Development and Mentorship

Participate in mentorship sessions with experienced science communicators.

Engage in constructive feedback sessions to improve communication and presentation skills.

Explore potential career pathways in science communication, museum education, and public engagement.

Network with professionals in the field and learn about opportunities within intergovernmental organisations like ESO.

7. Scientific and Technical Knowledge

Attend scientific and technical talks by ESO employees and external scientists.

Develop knowledge of astronomical research and the required technology to advance these fields.

Network with professional astronomers and engineers and learn about different careers paths in the field.

Qualifications:

Applicants currently studying or having recently completed a University degree in science, science communication or engineering are preferred.

Language skills:

The position requires good communications skills (oral and written) in both English and German. Applicants should be comfortable having a conversation about astronomy in both languages.