Internship | Electrocatalytic CO₂ Reduction for Next‑Generation E‑Fuels

Become an intern at TNO and make your mark on our time.

About this position

In this internship, you will work on electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction: a promising technology within the energy transition that converts CO₂ into valuable products such as ethylene. This is an important building block for the production of sustainable synthetic fuels and chemicals.

You will join a multidisciplinary team of researchers and engineers and work at the intersection of chemistry, materials science, and process engineering. You will learn how fundamental research connects to real-world applications in an R&D environment. There is plenty of room to ask questions, contribute ideas, and shape your own learning path, while actively contributing to tangible research outcomes.

What will be your role?

During this internship, you will work on the development and optimization of electrochemical systems that convert CO₂ into ethylene. You will experience the full research cycle: from building theoretical understanding to performing and analyzing experiments.

You will start with a literature study to gain insight into electrocatalysis, copper-based catalysts, and electrochemical cell design. After that, you will design and fabricate electrodes and assemble membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs).

In the lab, you will carry out electrochemical experiments and investigate how different parameters, such as electrolyte composition, current density, and cell configuration, affect performance. You will analyze your data and translate it into insights on efficiency, selectivity, and stability.

Throughout your internship, you will collaborate closely with colleagues, discuss your progress, and contribute ideas for improvements and new experiments. You will conclude your internship by delivering a clear report and presenting your key findings.

What we expect from you

• You are available for an internship of at least 6 months, ideally during your MSc phase.
• You have a strong interest in the energy transition and sustainable technologies.
• You are curious, proactive, and enjoy tackling complex challenges.
• You are comfortable working independently as well as collaborating within a team.
• You communicate clearly in English.

Students from disciplines such as chemical engineering, materials science, chemistry, or related fields are encouraged to apply. If your background is different but you are excited about the topic, we would still love to hear from you.

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.