Internship | Bottom-up modelling of truck market and fleet development

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

About this position

This internship focuses on modelling the development of the Dutch truck fleet, with a direct impact on insights into decarbonization. You will work on the challenge of understanding the diversity in companies’ purchasing and sales behavior and translating this into a model that can ultimately be implemented in our bottom-up fleet model. This will lead to improved insights into future developments, such as the adoption rate of electric trucks.

You will become part of the Towards Zero Emission (TZE) team, where we perform system analyses that contribute to the decarbonization of the Dutch vehicle fleet.

What will be your role?

In existing analyses of the development of the Dutch truck fleet, diversity in company characteristics and behavior is often not taken into account. As a result, reality is reduced to averages, and a broader perspective on the logistics sector is missing.

During this internship, you will work on developing a model that simulates purchasing and sales behavior at the level of individual companies. You will start with a data analysis of ownership, addressing questions such as: which types of companies purchase new trucks, and which primarily buy second-hand vehicles? Based on this, you will investigate which modelling approach is most suitable and develop a module for our bottom-up fleet model. Using this model, you will analyze what these improved insights mean for the expected adoption of electric trucks and which companies may lag behind in the transition.

You will translate your findings into clear conclusions and policy-relevant recommendations. In doing so, you contribute to a better understanding of the truck fleet transition and develop your skills in data analysis, modelling, and communicating results to both researchers and policymakers.

What we expect from you

We are looking for a Master’s student in engineering management, econometrics, data science, (civil) engineering, or a similar (quantitative) field, with an interest in data analysis and modelling. You have some experience with programming, preferably in Python. You are analytical, pragmatic, and able to work in a structured way. Plus, a touch of creativity and out-of-the-box thinking will come in handy. It is important that you are curious, show initiative and enjoy working together on system analyses related to sustainability challenges. The internship preferably lasts 6 months; the exact duration and scope can be discussed. Naturally, we would like you to become an active part of the team and participate in knowledge sharing.

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.