Internship assignment: Developing Towards Automated Contamination Detection in Plant Tissue Culture Labs at Viscon

Are you looking for a challenging and instructive internship in South Holland, area Rotterdam/Dordrecht? You can find it in ’s-Gravendeel (Hoeksche Waard)!

Description

At Viscon Group, we develop smart automation solutions that shape the future of plant production. One of our key innovation areas lies in plant tissue culture, a highly efficient method to multiply plants with desirable traits under sterile conditions.

However, maintaining sterility remains one of the biggest challenges in this process. Contamination can occur at various stages, often caused by faulty procedures or human handling during subculturing. Once contamination occurs, it can quickly spread and result in costly losses. While there are existing detection methods, these are often time-consuming and labor-intensive, which limits efficiency in large-scale operations.

This internship focuses on exploring how contamination detection in plant tissue culture labs can be automated. You will investigate what types of contamination typically occur and at which stages and identify which technologies from research or the market could be applied to detect contamination early and automatically. Your research will include desk research on available technologies and a pre-study to assess the practical feasibility of integrating these methods into Viscon’s automated lab systems.

Who are we looking for?

• You are following an WO education in, Plant Science, Microbiology or a related field.
• You enjoy working closely with others, but you’re also capable of working independently.
• You show initiative and aren’t afraid to dive into a complex topic.
• You’re always looking for ways to improve or make things more efficient.
• You have an interest in sustainability, agriculture, and innovation.
• You speak and write English fluently; Dutch is a plus.

What can we offer you?

• Plenty of room for your own ideas and initiative.
• A dynamic and innovative work environment.
• Excellent financial compensation.
• A kick-off meeting where you get to know all the ins and outs of the company.
• A practical internship handbook to help you find your way at Viscon.
• A final evaluation meeting to discuss your results and possible future opportunities.

About Viscon Group

At Viscon Group, we are passionate about technological innovations in agro and food processes and about the positive impact these innovations have on our planet and health. Through our advanced machinery, software, and integrated solutions, we enable the sustainable production and distribution of healthy fresh food, flowers, and plants.

Our technologies help reduce waste, increase product quality, and optimize production efficiency. By continuously innovating, we aim to make agricultural processes more profitable, scalable, and environmentally friendly, creating a healthier world through smart automation.

You can apply via stage@viscon.eu. We look forward to hearing from you soon!