Internship | Graduation in structural behavior of steel structures

Contributing to the structural safety of steel structures. Envision it. There are major challenges in the civil industry waiting to be solved in the coming years. For example, the effect of increasing traffic intensity and vehicle loads on current, sometimes outdated infrastructure. Or the effect of the energy transition on the way we deal with sustainability in the design or re-use of civil structures, or the design of increasingly larger offshore wind turbines. These are major social issues that TNO does not shy away from, but rather tackles them by combining many different areas of expertise in in-depth, independent research. This way TNO is at the basis of the implementation of technological innovations in the field of steel structures.

You will join the steel team of the department reliable structures at TNO. The steel team is involved in assessing and predicting the behaviour of steel structures such as bridges, railway rails and offshore structures. This is done in a mixed team of 15 researchers with a variety of experience and areas of expertise. There is also a laboratory where experiments can be carried out and regularly field measurements are carried out.

Your research is one of the links in the research programs of TNO. Within TNO you have access to modern research facilities (software tools, laboratories, etc.) and an extensive network to carry out your research. Depending on the subject, you choose a mentor who will help you with your graduation project. We offer you the opportunity to develop yourself as a specialist, and to present and publish about your research where possible.

A few examples of graduation topics on which you can graduate with us and research already carried out with our supervision are:

• Re-use of steel bridge elements.
• The effect of weld length on the fatigue life of welded joints in steel bridges, taking into account residual stresses.
• Fatigue life assessment of geometry transitions such as flange thickness transitions in bridges or coped beam joints in railway bridges.
• Determining requirements for assessments of existing operating mechanisms of movable bridges based on probabilistic modelling of the (fatigue) strength of the gear wheel, applied loads and load effects.
• Fatigue life assessment of steel structures such as offshore structures or pipelines that simultaneously also degrade due to contact with seawater or hydrogen and the effect of mitigating measures such as cathodic protection or coatings.

We offer a graduation position to students that:

• Follow a master program in STEM such as civil engineering, mechanical engineering, architecture or marine engineering;
• Have an affinity with steel and/or construction mechanics;
• Have an investigative and critical attitude, you want to know why certain phenomena occur and determine its effect;
• Like to cooperate with others and are creative;
• Live in The Netherlands;
• Have excellent oral and written communication skills in English, and preferably Dutch.

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.