Internship | Graduation internship within buildings, infrastructure or maritime structures

There are major challenges in the technical industry waiting to be solved in the coming years. Think about the structural safety of structures; climate adaptation; renovation and replacement of infrastructure; the energy transition; material re-use; offshore constructions; and digitalisation. For example, the effect of increasing traffic intensity and vehicle loads on current, sometimes outdated infrastructure, new types of fuels for shipping and the effects on the integrity of the structure, the effect of the energy transition on the way we deal with sustainability in the design or re-use of structural elements or materials, 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.

You will join one of the five departments in Delft that are in the unit of Mobility and the Built Environment. Each department focusses on its own knowledge area, and often consists of multiple teams with specific expertise. In total almost 200 TNO colleagues are based in Delft. Each department consist of approximately 40 colleagues, and a team that you will be placed in will consist of about 15 people. Next to the office, the ‘Bouwinnovatie’ laboratory is located, where experiments can be carried out. Some colleagues regularly perform measurements in the field. It is each team's ambition to play a leading role in social trends/developments. Our specialists have a great diversity of experiences and competences.

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:

• The topic of digitalization in the built environment with special focus on BIM, Digital Twins and Linked Data.
• Fatigue life assessment of welded details or geometry transitions in bridges, and for offshore structures in combination with corrosion.
• The safe and responsible re-use of structural components or material from disposed structures (timber, concrete or steel), or the use of new types of materials, such as new types of concrete or composites.
• A full probabilistic analysis of a submerged floating tunnel or buildings subjected to wind loading.
• Materials; fracture mechanics, failure modelling, composites and other materials in extreme conditions (cryogenic temperatures, combined with hydrogen, extreme load cases etc.).
• Simulations; impact, advanced FE models, new modelling solutions like projective dynamics and PUFEM.
• Integration of energy performance of buildings and environmental performance of buildings to improve the sustainability of buildings and reduce (CO2) emissions.
• Investigating the self-healing capacity of asphalt or other protection mechanisms such as research in extracting oil from algae to develop new biobased rejuvenators, and see how this can be included in road design.

We offer a graduation position to students that:

• Follow a master program in STEM such as civil engineering, mechanical engineering, architecture, (applied) physics or mathematics, computer science, marine/aerospace engineering, or similar.
• 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 language (B1 level).

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.