Internship | Optical description and the vertical distribution of aerosols

In the Netherlands, 11,000 people die prematurely every year because of air pollution. 4 out of 5 times, particulate matter (also referred to as aerosols) is the cause. PM exposure leads to human suffering and don't underestimate the social costs. If you convert the loss of healthy life years into euros, then the particulate matter problem in the Netherlands represents a cost of between 10 to 15 billion euros per year. Next to this, aerosols play an important but relatively poorly understood role in climate, weather and even renewable energy etc. You are going to shed light on this problem.

At TNO we model the aerosol concentration in Europe and the Netherlands with our in house chemical transport model LOTOS-EUROS (LE). The modelled aerosol concentrations are structurally compared to ground based observations to validate and assess the performance of the model. Improving the vertical distribution of aerosols in LE is a challenge due to a lack of information from measurements. Aerosols interact with radiation and specifically this interaction can be used in remote sensing to probe the vertical distribution of aerosols. LIDAR (Laser Imaging Detection And Ranging) systems are used in networks to assess atmospheric backscattering and this can also be modelled with LE. This student project will focus on the development of backscatter modelling and incorporating data from LIDAR networks (EARLINET, E-PROFILE - Eumetnet).The student will spend 6 - 8 months at the Department of Air Quality and Emissions Research (AER) which has the expertise in translating knowledge of emissions and air quality into solutions to environmental issues by modeling atmospheric processes related to aerosols. The project can be combined with a master's thesis.

You are a proactive and independent master's student with a background in one of the following areas: Atmospheric Science, Physics, Mathematics, Remote Sensing, Geoscience, Data Science, and related fields. Knowledge and experience in data analysis with Python/R/matlab is a requirement. A good understanding in either aerosol physics and atmospheric chemical transport modeling is preferred. Good communication skills in English, particularly for presenting your work and writing reports, are expected.

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.

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.