AI & Operations – Internship

AI & Operations – Internship

Help shape the future of maritime innovation.

About PortXL

PortXL is the world’s first port & maritime accelerator, founded in 2015 and based in Rotterdam. We bridge the gap between ambitious start-ups and scale-ups and the established maritime industry, working alongside corporate partners, investors and ecosystem leaders to make maritime climate-positive. We search, match and accelerate the newest technologies from around the world. Our home is the Innovation Dock at RDM Campus: an inspiring hub where shipbuilding history meets the future of shipping, energy, logistics and ports.

What You’ll Be Doing

As our AI & Operations intern, you will work at the intersection of emerging technology and organisational excellence. You will help PortXL leverage AI tools to scale its scouting, matching and communication workflows — while also keeping the daily operations of a fast-moving accelerator running smoothly. One of the real challenges of this role: finding smart, creative ways to optimise processes and implement AI with only limited financial resources available. Resourcefulness and a hands-on mindset are essential.

• Explore, test and implement AI tools that improve how PortXL scouts start-ups, manages data and communicates with its network;
• Help automate repetitive workflows using tools such as Make, Zapier, Notion AI, Airtable or similar platforms;
• Identify creative, low-cost solutions to operational challenges — getting maximum impact from minimal tooling;
• Analyse and improve internal processes to boost efficiency across the team;
• Support the development of data pipelines or dashboards that provide operational insight;
• Document and standardise processes so that knowledge is captured and easily shared;
• Work on ad hoc operational and innovation projects alongside the PortXL team;
• Stay on top of developments in applied AI, particularly relevant to the maritime and innovation sector.

We Offer

• An energetic, mission-driven team with a shared ambition to transform the maritime industry;
• Access to an international network of start-ups, scale-ups and maritime innovators;
• Involvement with our corporate partners, including the Port of Rotterdam, City of Rotterdam and the Ministry of Defense;
• Room to discover your interests, think creatively and take real ownership;
• An inspiring workspace at the Innovation Dock, RDM Campus, Rotterdam;
• Opportunities to attend maritime events, demo days and ecosystem gatherings;
• Personal and professional development;
• Compensation: €575 per month based on 36 hours per week. Part-time is possible with a minimum of 24 hours per week; our preference is 32–36 hours. A minimum of 3 days per week from the office;
• Duration: minimum 5 months, with a preference for 6–7 months.

What You Bring

• Currently enrolled in the later phases of your Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, for example in Business Informatics, Computer Science, Innovation Management, AI or a related field;
• More important than your exact field of study: you have a hands-on drive to build and improve — you love experimenting with AI tools, automating the tedious and making systems work smarter with limited means;
• Structured thinker who can translate complex processes into clear, workable systems;
• Experience with tools like Notion, Airtable, Make, Zapier, Python or similar is a strong plus;
• Comfortable working resourcefully — you know how to deliver results without a big budget;
• Entrepreneurial mindset: proactive, solutions-oriented and comfortable with ambiguity;
• Good written and spoken English.

Interested? Send your CV & motivation letter (or video) to info@portxl.org