Internship | Digital product passports for Industry 4.0

This internship allows you to delve into the emerging field of digital product passports (DPP’s) and asset administration shells (AAS), providing you with the opportunity to leverage your technological knowledge for sustainability. Dive into cutting-edge technologies, collaborating with TNO-experts to develop innovative solutions that streamline product documentation and enhance transparency throughout the value chain. Join us in shaping the future of digital product passports, where technology and sustainability converge in a dynamic digital landscape. DPP’s offer a digital identify for a product, encompassing vital product lifecycle information regarding a products sourcing, production, usage and disposal/reuse phases. It provides an overview of a products characteristics, including the products’ origin, history, components, usage and disposal/reuse data. This revolutionary technology requires combining data from various parties, and thus different sources, into one digital product passport. The ecosystem for DPP’s is in full development and still quite premature, creating uncertainty for organizations of how to successfully implement a DPP. As they will become mandatory in the coming years, this creates significant urgency for organizations to start working on the adoption of the DPP. Europe is striving towards a net zero emission (European Green Deal), by adopting circularity in society (Circular Economy Action Plan) and by making DPP’s mandatory for nearly all products in Europe (Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation). The asset administration shell (AAS) is a standardized interface to realize the promises made in Industry 4.0. It allows users to commonly define and order data to facilitate interoperability, not only within but also beyond the borders of an organization. The AAS is a potential location for the DPP to be implemented.

The goal of this internship is to leverage the capabilities of the asset administration shell for the creation of a digital product passport. Currently there are a lot of open questions surrounding both concepts. To keep the research practical, you join an ongoing project that is already using the AAS and is interested in DPP. In addition, you will join the TNO digital factory workgroup where you will gain knowledge and share your findings. Together we will shape your research questions.

You are an MSc student Computer Science, Data Science or related and looking for a graduation assignment of 6-9 months. You have an interest in the challenges that come with manufacturing automation/Industry 4.0, especially with finding generic ways of modeling and connecting data. You have research driven mindset and like working in a multi-disciplinary environment.

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.