ESA's postdoctoral Research Fellowship programme offers young scientists and engineers the possibility to carry out research in a variety of disciplines related to space science, space applications or space technology. 

Research Fellowships in Space Science & Exploration specifically offer the opportunity to contribute to ESA's endeavour to explore our Solar System and the Universe in the fields of human and robotic exploration, heliophysics, planetary science, astrophysics and fundamental physics.

Duration: Appointments for an ESA Research Fellowship are initially for two years, with a third year extension frequently granted.

Location: Research Fellowship in Human and Robotic Exploration are located at

• European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in Noordwijk, the Netherlands
• European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications (ECSAT) in Harwell, United Kingdom
• European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Köln, Germany

Research Fellowships in Space Science can be taken at any of three locations:

• European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC) in Villafranca del Castillo near Madrid, Spain
• European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in Noordwijk, the Netherlands
• The ESA office at Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) in Baltimore, Maryland, USA