Jobs & Internship

Would you like to help develop Austrian and International space activities? Are you somebody who wants to change things and are interested in working at fascinating areas like research, politics and technology? Then you are at the right place. As we are a non-profit organization, we work in principle with volunteers and thus do not offer paid jobs or paid internships.

Jobs

Currently no open positions.

Internships

For high school students

In collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Technology, the OeWF offers each year 2-5 internships in summer for teenager attending an Austrian school between 16 and 19 years old; these internships lasts typically one month during the summer and are payed. Tasks include assisting current research projects (for instance data analyses) or scientific outreach activities. The place of work is either Innsbruck, Austria oder Vienna, Austria.

For university students

Within the framework for a bachelor thesis, internships between 4-24 weeks are possible. The tasks will depend on the professional experience of the applicant.  We have had interns with various backgrounds e.g. physics, biology, media sciences, project management, architecture, informatics etc. with the goal of developing an academic thesis (e.g. seminar, bachelor or master thesis). If you are interested in such an internship, please write us a short email with your CV, competence profile, and we will contact you for a nonbinding first interview. These internships are mostly volunteer-based or part of the students academic curriculum. The OeWF does not provide accomodation or meals. The place of work is either Innsbruck, Austria oder Vienna, Austria.

What are the qualifications?

We don’t have any requirements for internships, except for a high interest and motivation for the topic of space activities and a proficiency in English.  If an applicant is interested in such a position, we generally conduct a job interview, leading to a selection process on a competitive basis. For non-Austrian applicants, a residence permit and health insurance for the European Union is necessary. (For payed internship, an additional work permit is necessary.)

We are hosting students, guest researchers, volunteers and people with a passion for space from various professional backgrounds and from many nations. Typically, these stays last from anything between 2 weeks to half a year and are generally unpaid. Due to the number of applications each year and the limited number of slots available, there is a competitive process in place to select the best applicants.

FAQ

When does work usually start?
Our normal office hours are 09:00 – 17:30,these can be flexible depending on your team.

How many people will be in the office?
It depends on the time of year. Summer and active mission periods are the busiest. Usually around 5–20 people, so you’ll always have someone around to chat with.

Can I take holidays?
Depending on your type of contract, yes. If you are employed by the OeWF, you are entitled to statutory holidays. For university internships, it depends on the internship type and follows the requirements of the sending institution. Public holidays are also free. Just let your team leader know in advance if you need time off.

What language is spoken in the office?
Mostly English and German. Don’t worry if you’re more comfortable in one of them—we get by with both!

Is home office possible?
Not for interns, as supervision is needed on-site.
If you’d like to help remotely, consider becoming a member, joining a team, and contributing from afar. Sometimes an initial on-site period may be helpful.

Accommodation
We can provide a list of accommodations in Innsbruck and Vienna, and sometimes our members have a spare room.
Please note that the OeWF does not provide guest rooms or regular overnight accommodations.

Lunch and kitchen facilities
Lunch isn’t provided, but there’s a kitchen where you can make tea, coffee, drinks, and heat up or prepare simple meals.

Can you provide a certificate or report for my school/university/employer?
Yes! Just get in touch and let us know what you need.

Can you help me apply for funding for the internship?
We can help with signatures or proof of your internship. Contact us to discuss the details.

What can I do to prepare for my internship?
Check out blog posts from past interns to get a feel for daily life here.
Depending on your project, read our website and follow-up publications related to your topic.

Will I have health insurance?
Health insurance for student internships, such as Erasmus, is usually provided by the sending institution. OeWF members are covered by accident insurance. For internships linked to employment contracts (e.g., national student internships through FFG programs), mandatory health insurance is provided by the OeWF.

Are the offices accessible for people with disabilities?
Yes! Our offices are wheelchair accessible. If you have specific accessibility needs, you can mention them when applying.

Will I have a mentor or supervisor to ask questions?
Absolutely. Every intern gets a supervisor or mentor to guide and support them throughout their time with us.

Further information

• Academic thesis at the Austrian Space Forum
• Academic publications of the Austrian Space Forum
• Blog posts of our interns

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