Space Medicine Internship – Exercise Team (Female Astronaut Physiology)

About the role

This internship with the Space Medicine Team’s Exercise Unit focuses on the physiology and performance optimisation of female astronauts. You will investigate how menstrual cycle hormonal fluctuations affect training adaptation, recovery, and injury risk, and help translate scientific insights into practical guidelines.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive literature research on the relationship between the menstrual cycle and training outcomes for female astronauts.
• Identify gaps and propose improvements for fitness‑assessment protocols and training recommendations.
• Collaborate with exercise specialists, medical doctors, physiologists, and engineers to develop evidence‑based guidelines.
• Support the creation of injury‑prevention and performance‑optimisation strategies.
• Gain exposure to the work of exercise specialists and mission support in a multicultural, multidisciplinary environment.

Required profile

• University student, preferably at master’s level, enrolled for the full internship period.
• Strong motivation to work on female health in space.
• Proficiency in English or French; additional ESA member‑state language is a plus.

Required skills

What we offer

• Insight into space‑flight health research and exercise physiology.
• Experience working within an international, multidisciplinary team.
• Opportunity to contribute to real‑world guidelines for astronaut health.