Bsc: Chemical Engineering Internship - Training a Chemical Kinetics Model

Beschrijving van de vacature

Ben je een HBO-student die op zoek is naar een stageopdracht? Ben je klaar om onze manier van werken in ink development te veranderen? Dan zijn we op zoek naar jou.

Your assignment

UV-curable inks have enabled a wide range of high-value applications in the graphic arts industry. Canon has been particularly successful in this field with the development of its UVgel technology, which powers the Colorado printer family.

To drive further innovation, Canon is transitioning from a pragmatic approach to a model-based methodology for ink development. In collaboration with academic partners, we are developing advanced kinetic models that simulate the chemical processes involved in the photopolymerization of UV inks—specifically, the conversion of monomers into polymers.

Photopolymerization in UV inks is initiated by UV light through the action of photoinitiators. Our current chemical kinetics model provides a simplified representation of this process, and we are working to expand it to better capture the behavior of real inks. A key step is improving the photoinitiation mechanism by incorporating a combination of photoinitiators into the model. To achieve this, we need parameters that accurately describe both the reaction kinetics and the underlying chemistry.

Your role will be to generate high-quality experimental data to train and validate the model against the actual behavior of our inks. Using a design of experiments approach, you will perform a series of precise FTIR measurements with our in-house customized spectroscopy setup.

This data is essential for building a predictive tool capable of calculating the kinetics of photopolymerization and forecasting the physical properties of an ink layer based on its formulation. Such a model will enable faster, more efficient development of new ink recipes and curing strategies—pushing the boundaries of UVgel technology.

As an intern, you will play a critical role in this process, gaining hands-on experience in experimental design, data acquisition, and model-driven innovation.

Your profile

• You have a background in chemistry and have affinity with polymers.
• You are experienced with materials characterization techniques, such as FTIR spectroscopy.
• You work accurately and pay attention to detail in both experimental and data-related tasks.
• You are a result-driven and self-motivated team player.
• You are available for 5-9 months for a minimum of 4 days per week.

What’s in it for you?

• A challenging assignment with skilled coaching
• Internship/Graduation compensation of €500,- per month
• Travel cost compensation if you don’t have an ‘OV-weekcard’
• The possibility to network with professionals inside and outside your field of expertise, thanks to our diversity of disciplines which you will work with

Waar staan wij voor?

Wij ontwikkelen en produceren hightech printproducten en workflow software voor de commerciële printing markt als onderdeel van Canon, wereldwijd marktleider in beeldtechnologieën. Met ongeveer 3300 werknemers verspreid over drie continenten en ons hoofdkantoor in Venlo, Nederland, innoveren we om hoogwaardige oplossingen te creëren die kleur toevoegen aan de wereld. Geleid door de Kyosei filosofie - samen leven en werken voor het algemeen belang – is onze cultuur gebouwd op openheid, collegialiteit, vertrouwen en stabiliteit. We stellen onze mensen in staat om te groeien, initiatief te nemen en impact te maken.

Met onze bedrijfswaarden samenwerking, innovatie en eigenaarschap, streven we ernaar het beste in elkaar naar boven te halen, grenzen te verleggen en ons gesterkt te voelen om eigenaarschap te nemen in ons werk.