Internship: Parametric Modelling for Smarter Maintenance of Highway Gantries

Make your mark on our time! Become an intern at TNO!

About this position

The Dutch road network faces a major societal challenge: thousands of gantries are nearing the end of their service life. Premature replacement causes high costs and traffic disruption, while delayed intervention may compromise safety. In this internship, you contribute directly to safer, more sustainable infrastructure management. By developing an innovative parametric modelling approach, you support data-driven decisions on maintenance and replacement. Your work helps infrastructure managers optimize interventions, reduce environmental impact, and ensure the efficient use of public resources through advanced engineering and predictive modelling.

What will be your role?

During this internship, you will develop a parametric model of a highway gantry structure. You will translate geometric properties, applied loads, and attached signage into internal forces and stresses. In addition, you will investigate degradation mechanisms such as corrosion at connection points and assess their impact on structural capacity over time. The model will be used to evaluate the risks of deferred maintenance and support long-term asset management decisions.

What we expect from you

You are analytical, curious, and able to work in a structured and independent manner. You communicate clearly, enjoy tackling complex technical problems, and actively seek collaboration within a multidisciplinary environment. In addition:

• You are currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• You have an affinity with structural analysis and modelling
• You have basic knowledge of strength of materials and steel structures
• You have interest in degradation mechanisms such as corrosion

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.