Internship | Graduating at data ecosystems department

At TNO we work with European partners towards enabling state-of-the-art technologies using the vast amounts of data being generated in the current age. We are seeing that in practice there is valuable data being locked away in organizations due to a difficulty in sharing this data, or an unwillingness to be exposed to security and privacy risks. Our projects aim to remove these risks and enable easy sharing of data between different organizations, creating a connected ecosystem in which advanced AI, federated learning and network resilience solutions can flourish. Do you want to aid in the development of secure, scalable and sovereign data exchange? Or research interoperability between organizations on both a technical, semantic and organizational level? Then we are looking for you!

You will be researching how we can better create and maintain connections between organizations in a world where digitalization and automation is increasingly being assumed as the default way of exchanging data. You’ll be doing this by looking at the way organizations technically communicate between each other, the content of the messages they exchange and how these can adhere to FAIR principles and by determining which organizational challenges stand in the way of an ecosystem of different organizations where every member’s interests align.

You’ll be doing this with TNO colleagues from the relatively new data ecosystems department. Within this department we are working towards the next generation of data interoperability and apply our knowledge regarding technical, semantic and organizational interoperability towards developing data ecosystems and the tooling required to aid in setting up these ecosystems. We apply this knowledge in a variety of domains such as manufacturing, logistics and the Dutch AI Coalition. The outcomes of your project will be used in practical applications and may be deployed on a European scale.
This opening is a general opening for internships and graduation projects between 5 and 9 months. The specifics regarding your project will depend on what projects we have available at the time of applying and your interests. TNO has offices all over the Netherlands and a suitable location can always be found.


In general, some of the topics we are working on as a department are:
Technical interoperability between organizations, we are working on tools to connects organizations with each other such that no 3th party gains access to the data sent. For example IDS is such a technology.

Semantic interoperability, with large numbers of unique organizations sharing data with each other it is difficult to agree on a common language between these organizations. We work both on developing such common languages, as we did for purchase-to-pay information with SCSN. As well as researching how different languages can coexist and can automatically be mapped onto each other.

Organizational interoperability, are there organizations which can collaborate in new, novel ways, thanks to technical innovations? How could this collaboration be shaped? What has to be developed for this to be possible? These types of collaborations between organizations can for example be found in the digital factory.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, and curious student working on graduating from their masters or bachelors with knowledge regarding IT, semantics or knowledge representation. You should be willing to learn new technologies and are able to think through abstract concepts towards their practical implication.

• Working towards a masters degree, or graduating from a bachelor’s degree
• Degree in IT or related domain (e.g. Artificial intelligence, computer science, business information systems, business informatics)
• Willingness to learn

You want an internship opportunity on the precursor of your career; an internship gives you an opportunity to take a good look at your prospective future employer. TNO goes a step further. It’s not just looking that interests us; you and your knowledge are essential to our innovation. That’s why we attach a great deal of value to your personal and professional development. You will, of course, be properly supervised during your work placement and be given the scope for you to get the best out of yourself. Furthermore, we provide:

• A highly professional, innovative internship environment, within a team of top experts.
• A suitable internship allowance (615 euro for wo-, hbo- and mbo-students, for a full-time internship).
• Possibility of eight hours of free leave per internship month (for a full-time internship).
• A free membership of Jong TNO, where you can meet other TNO professionals and join several activities, such as sports activities, (work-related) courses or the yearly ski-trip.
• Use of a laptop.
• An allowance for travel expenses in case you don’t receive an OV-card.

At TNO, we innovate for a healthier, safer and more sustainable life. And for a strong economy. Since 1932, we have been making knowledge and technology available for the common good. We find each other in wonder and ingenuity. We are driven to push boundaries. There is all the space and support for your talent and ambition. You work with people who will challenge you: who inspire you and want to learn from you. Our state-of-the-art facilities are there to realize your vision. What you do at TNO matters: impact makes the difference. Because with every innovation you contribute to tomorrow’s world. Read more about TNO as an employer.

At TNO we encourage an inclusive work environment, where you can be yourself. Whatever your story and whatever unique qualities you bring to the table. It is by combining our unique strengths and perspectives that we are able to develop innovations that make a real difference in society. Want to know more? Read what steps we are taking in the area of diversity and inclusion.

After the first CV selection, the application process will be conducted by the concerning department. TNO will provide a suitable internship agreement. If you have any questions about this vacancy, you can contact the contact person mentioned below.

For this internship vacancy it is required that the AIVD issues a security clearance (VGB) after conducting a security screening. Take into account that this process may take about 8 weeks. If you have been abroad for more than 6 consecutive months, or if you do not have the Dutch nationality, it may take longer. Read more about security screening on the AIVD website.

Important to be aware of before applying:

• Before the start of the internship, the internship agreement from TNO needs to be signed. For students at a college or university based in the Netherlands, TNO uses the UNL-template (supplemented with a number of specific agreements from TNO). For students of foreign and MBO educational institutions, the TNO internship agreement applies. TNO does not sign any other internship agreements.
• Before the start of the internship, the educational institution will need to confirm in writing that:

1. you are enrolled at the educational institution during the internship, and;
2. the internship takes place as part of the programme of the study.

• The confirmation of educational institution takes place by signing the UNL template or forms prepared by TNO.
• Interns at TNO must be in possession of a Dutch residential address at the start of the internship. Performance of internship activities from abroad is not possible.