Internship | Smart surveillance: AI-Based Suspicious Behaviour Detection

Make your mark on our time. Become an intern at TNO in the Internship | Smart surveillance: AI-Based Suspicious Behaviour Detection role.

• Location: The Hague
• Hybrid work arrangement; you are expected to work from the TNO office in The Hague, Oude Waalsdorperweg, at least three days per week.
• 32-40 hours/week
• Master's degree level

About this position

Modern security systems for surveillance generate an overwhelming amount of video data, making it increasingly difficult for human camera operators to continuously monitor all camera feeds and identify potentially relevant events in real time. These surveillance systems are often setup to avoid potential threat around a person, house, or public place. When the actual attack happens, it is too late, that is why camera operators look for the subtle actions that are done to scan the area and prepare for the attack. These preparations are often very subtle actions, such as taking a picture of someone, following someone, inspecting a window of a house or vehicle, walking by multiple times. These actions are very difficult to detect even by a skilled camera operator, especially with the large amount of video data that the camera operator should keep an eye on.

Recent advances in computer vision including pose estimation, trajectory analysis, Vision Language Models (VLMs), person re-identification and neuro-symbolic AI offer new opportunities to automatically recognize subtle behavioural patterns that may indicate suspicious or security-relevant activities.

In this internship, you will investigate AI technologies for detecting suspicious behaviour from video streams. Rather than focusing solely on identifying objects or persons, the goal is to reason about behaviour by analysing human poses, movements, trajectories, and deviations from expected patterns.

The project will explore how AI can support security professionals by highlighting suspicious activities while reducing the cognitive burden associated with monitoring large numbers of cameras.

What will be your role?

You will design and implement machine learning and computer vision methods for behaviour analysis, with a focus on one or more of the following topics:

• Explore state-of-the-art of behaviour recognition technologies, such as pose estimation models or trajectory- and movement-pattern analysis, to detect subtle behaviours of individuals.
• Explore methods to re-identify persons appearing in multiple camera views, and couple information of detected behaviours to a person
• Explore how Vision Language Models (VLMs) can be used on a large collection of continuous video data for behaviour detection and understanding
• If you have any suggestions yourself, such as topics, methods or tools that you would like to explore within the given context, we are open to that. Let us know during the interview.

The exact direction of your work can be tailored to your interests and expertise, in close collaboration with the supervision team.

During your internship, you will document your research in a thesis. If the results are promising, there may be opportunities for a scientific publication.

What we expect from you

You are in the final stages of a master's degree in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Robotics, Data Science, or a related field.

You have experience with Python and machine learning, and preferably some background in one or more of the following areas:

• Computer vision;
• Deep learning;
• Video analytics;
• Object detection;
• Object tracking;
• Generative AI;
• Vision Language Models;
• Pose estimation models.

You will be supervised by researchers with expertise in computer vision, machine learning, and security-related AI applications, and you will collaborate with a broader multidisciplinary team working on related topics.

If you start an internship with us, we will also ask you to provide a Certificate of Conduct (VOG).

For this internship vacancy it is required that the AIVD issues a security clearance (VGB) following a security screening. This process has an average duration of approximately 8 weeks. If you have been abroad for more than 6 consecutive months, or if you do not have the Dutch nationality, this process may take longer.

Interns at TNO must have a registered residential address in the Netherlands at the start of the internship. Carrying out internship activities from abroad is not possible.

Are you an international student? Please note that you must have a BSN (Dutch citizen service number) before the start of your internship. Applying for a BSN can take several weeks, so make sure to start this process well in advance.

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.

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. We invest in an inspiring working environment where colleagues can excel, have autonomy and continue to grow.

Your talent and ambition have every opportunity to flourish at TNO. You work with experts, have access to advanced technology and the freedom to explore, experiment and innovate. Our strength lies in independence, reliability and collaboration.