Research Intern - Heap Volume Estimation From Mono High-Resolution Satellite Imagery
Build your career on Magnet.me
Create a profile and receive smart job recommendations based on your liked jobs.
Join the Environment & Sustainability Team as a Research Intern in Delft
We are currently looking for a Research Intern to join the Environment & Sustainability team in Delft to investigate and validate volume estimations using high resolution satellite imagery starting in February 2026.
We welcome interns at every stage of their academic journey! Whether you're a bachelor's student looking to gain hands-on experience, a master's student seeking an internship, or you're ready to dive into your master’s thesis — we’ve got opportunities for you. We are flexible with the duration of the internship as long as it is longer than 3 months. Please specify which is your case on your motivation letter.
Are you ready to make an impact within S[&]T? We’re thrilled to help talented students reach their maximum potential. If you’d like to contribute to a safer life on Earth through your internship, we’ll be happy to guide you along the way during this internship.
Large soil movements in the Netherlands are required to be monitored to ensure that contaminated soil is handled properly and does not negatively affect the environment. S[&]T supports this work by detecting and analyzing changes in monitored sites. Estimation of the volume of soil heaps is an important part of this process. The current method of volume estimation relies on static calculations using heap type (cone, plateau, etc) and assumptions on height and angle of the different heap heights which can limit accuracy. A new approach based on Digital Elevation Maps (DEMs) derived from mono high-resolution satellite imagery is being investigated. This method is independent of the heap type and material, relying solely on a single satellite image and the retrieved contours for the heaps. This method needs to be validated and improved before it’s fit for operational use.
As a research intern, your task is to understand what performance is desired, and perform this validation to ensure the end-user needs are met. Part of this is also improving the performance and robustness of the DEM creation.
Main responsibilities
- Reproduce and validate volume estimation methods.
- Improve performance and robustness of the new volume estimation method.
Requirements
You will be the perfect match if you are:
- Comfortable to work independently and take initiative.
- Study computer science, remote sensing or a related field.
- Proficient in Python and eager to expand your technical skills.
- Have an affection for Earth observation and environmental topics.
- Curious about the bigger picture, understanding how your work fits into larger projects and goals.
- Live in the Netherlands.
- Fluent in English.
- You will be enrolled in your educational degree for the whole duration of your internship.
If you would like to be our next Research Intern, please upload your CV and a motivation letter.
Apply by sending your CV and motivational letter directly to recruitment@stcorp.nl.
About S[&]T
At S[&]T we contribute to a safer life on earth by translating space data into valuable and actionable insights. We oversee data from instruments to application, and apply our expertise within our software frameworks, information products and consultancy.
Our society relies on space and scientific instruments for climate change monitoring, navigation, defence and national security, and other crucial services we all use in our daily lives. These instruments produce an enormous quantity of complex data, and our goal is to unlock its value.
We have more than 20 years of experience working on instrument calibration, the creation of data quality monitoring tools, the development of real-time data processing frameworks, and the development of application-specific algorithms. With this, we help organisations, governments and industries to strengthen their information position and thereby improve their decision making. We focus on the following domains: Space & Science, Defence & Security, Environment & Sustainability, and High-Tech Consulting.
Sensing problems. Developing solutions.
Our Sensing and Control Systems provide new insights and access to what is happening in harsh environments. Scientific Data Processing ensures that you get the most out of the world's most under-utilized precious resource: data. We can then turn that data into smart decisions with our Intelligent Software Applications. Or if you need on-site support, we have…
Sensing problems. Developing solutions.
Our Sensing and Control Systems provide new insights and access to what is happening in harsh environments. Scientific Data Processing ensures that you get the most out of the world's most under-utilized precious resource: data. We can then turn that data into smart decisions with our Intelligent Software Applications. Or if you need on-site support, we have the brightest minds and greatest people in Technical Consulting for R&D.
Taking the R&D Journey Together
Research and development projects are usually long-term investments in complex systems involving stringent requirements, formalized relationship structures and interfaces, and highly impactful project phases and team scaling. It is important to have an experienced partner that is in it for the long haul. At S[&]T, we are relationship driven, and think not only about the first steps toward partnership, but the long-term win-win-win. We have flexible methods of partnering, and are able to support R&D via projects, personnel and products, depending on which method provides the best solution. Our open communication style and people-driven methods create smooth interfaces and ensure that we are a dependable partner through thick and thin.
Meant to be at S[&]T
At S[&]T, relationships always come first, and we treat our employees like we would like to be treated. We understand that smart people need flexibility, challenging projects, open communication and a motivating career path. If you would like to choose your own adventure when it comes to building a role that is right for you, we are here to support you along the way. Our flat structure and direct connections in a variety of R&D settings provides you with plenty of opportunity, while we also work hard to ensure that we create a fun environment along the way.
View what's on offer:
Change language to: Dutch
This page is optimised for people from the Netherlands. View the version optimised for people from the UK.