Internship | Plasma reactor investigation for chemical synthesis

Make your mark on our time. Become an intern at TNO!

About this position

At TNO Brightsite Plasmalab in Geleen, we conduct cutting edge R&D activities in thermal plasma heating. Our mission is to help reduce CO2 emissions by replacing conventional fossil fuel based processes with sustainable electricity driven heating solutions. One of the key technologies we develop involves high power electric arcs. Plasma ‘torches’ are constantly optimized for improved chemical yields, reduced energy cost and extended electrode life time. TNO works in close collaboration with partners on the Chemelot campus, including Ebert-Hera and University of Maastricht, as well as with various national and international research institutions and industrial partners.

What will be your role?

As an intern, you will focus on controlling the operating conditions of a plasma torch installation to better understand the erosion behaviour of different electrode materials. Your activities will include performing controlled experiments and analysing electrode degradation through techniques such as ultrafast plasma imaging of arc dynamics, voltage-current waveforms measurements, structural and chemical surface analysis. Electrode erosion is a complex phenomenon involving strongly interconnected physical and chemical processes. You will be part of a multidisciplinary team of experienced scientists, gaining hands on experience while being supported with expertise in plasma physics, plasma chemistry and materials science.

What we expect from you

For this internship, we are looking for a student with an educational background in the field of applied physics, electrical engineering, chemistry or material science. You have basic skills in plasma science or the motivation to develop them. It helps if you bring some experience with plasma technologies and/or surface analytical techniques, but we are happy to support you in developing areas you want to learn more about .

What you'll get in return

An internship at TNO means working in an environment where substance and impact are central. You will become part of a knowledge organisation where research and practice come together, and where experts collaborate on solutions to current societal and technological challenges.

Your internship is a period in which you can discover what suits you, where your strengths lie and what you would like to learn next. You are part of a professional working environment, gain insight into how things work in practice, and have the opportunity to build experience that goes beyond this internship alone. For many students, an internship is therefore also a first step in discovering whether TNO could be a potential next step after graduation.

In addition, we offer you:

• A professional and innovative internship environment in which you actively contribute to societal and technological challenges, working alongside leading experts in your field.
• Personal and dedicated supervision, with focus on your learning objectives, development and study assignment.
• Room to develop: you gain relevant work experience, develop both your subject‑specific and professional skills, and build a valuable network.
• Use of a laptop and the facilities you need to perform your work effectively.
• A monthly internship allowance of € 615 for a full-time internship, for MSc, BSc and vocational education (MBO) students.
• Up to eight hours of leave per internship month for a full-time internship, allowing you to balance your internship with your studies and personal life.
• A contribution towards travel expenses if you are not entitled to a student travel card.
• A free membership to Jong TNO: the network for young colleagues, where you can meet other TNO colleagues and participate in sports activities, professional and personal development activities, and social events such as the annual ski trip.

TNO as an employer

Our people are at the heart of TNO. Their curiosity, expertise and entrepreneurial mindset make it possible to deliver high-impact research and innovations that contribute to society’s sustainable wellbeing and prosperity.

Your talent and ambition have every opportunity to flourish at TNO. You work with experts (both within and beyond TNO), have access to advanced technology and the freedom to explore, experiment and innovate. Our strength lies in independence, reliability and collaboration. We find each other in wonder and ingenuity. We are driven to push boundaries. By working with businesses and government, and by connecting different perspectives, we strengthen our innovative capability and create responsible, meaningful results.

At TNO, we believe this is our time to help society, government and business move forward faster. Together with driven colleagues, you turn knowledge into concrete innovations or ventures that truly make a difference by combining the power of science and entrepreneurship. And in doing so, you make your mark on our time.