Internship | Innovative fiber optics sensor detection system design and testing

TNO; Delft; On-site; EUR 6,700 - 7,800; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Monthly internship allowance €615

Travel support

Jong TNO membership

Professional supervision

Job summary

TNO in Delft is seeking an HBO/WO student for a 3–6 month internship in the optics department to develop a novel fiber optic sensor interrogation concept. You will work across photonics, signal processing, electronics, and software to prototype a simpler, cost-effective detection system and validate its performance in an industrial research setting.

You will model, measure, analyze data, and implement software components while collaborating with researchers.

Qualifications

• Motivated HBO or WO student with a background in applied physics or electrical engineering.
• Interest in fiber optic sensing, photonics, and signal processing.
• Experience with modelling tools such as Python or Matlab is beneficial.
• Analytical, curious, and able to translate ideas into practical solutions.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to development of an innovative fiber optic sensing system.
• Model, measure, analyse data, and implement software components.
• Work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.

Skills

Applied Physics

Electrical Engineering

Education

HBO or WO student background

Tools

Python

Matlab

Lab experiments

Optical measurement techniques

Job description

About this position

Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors are widely used for applications such as structural health monitoring, industrial sensing, and advanced measurement systems. These sensors offer excellent performance, but commercially available interrogation systems are often expensive and rely on complex optical instrumentation. In this internship, you will contribute to the development of a novel concept for interrogating fiber optic sensors. The goal is to investigate and demonstrate an innovative approach that has the potential to significantly reduce system complexity and cost while maintaining useful measurement performance. You will work within TNO's optics department in Delft, collaborating with researchers and engineers on innovative fiber sensing detection system technology also known as FOS interrogation system. The project combines photonics, signal processing, electronics, software, and experimental validation, offering a unique opportunity to explore the next generation of fiber optic sensing solutions. The results, will enable more accessible and scalable fiber optic sensing systems for industrial applications.

What will be your role?

During this internship, you will contribute to the development of an innovative fiber optic sensing system. You will investigate new concepts for sensor interrogation and help translate research ideas into practical solutions. Depending on your interests and background, your activities may include modelling, experimental measurements, data analysis, software development, and performance evaluation. Throughout the project, you will gain hands‑on experience with optical sensors in an industrial oriented research laboratory environment. You will have the opportunity to explore new technologies, develop practical engineering skills, and contribute your own ideas to the project. The internship covers multiple phases, firstly, exploration of the innovative concept, then implementation and testing, and in the end reporting on the results and findings.

The intended internship duration is approximately 3 to 6 months and can be adapted to the requirements of your educational program.

What we expect from you

For this internship, we are looking for a motivated HBO or WO student with a background in:

• Applied Physics (preferably with optics background)
• Electrical Engineering

You have an interest in:

• Fiber optic sensing
• Photonics
• Signal processing

Experience with one or more of the following is beneficial, but not required:

• Modelling tools such as, Python, Matlab, etc.
• Laboratory experiments
• Optical measurement techniques

You are analytical, curious, and enjoy turning innovative ideas into practical solutions. You are comfortable working both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

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. That is why we invest in an inspiring and inclusive 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 (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. We find each other in wonder and ingenuity. We are driven to push boundaries. By working with businesses and government, and by connecting different perspectives, we strengthen our innovative capability and create responsible, meaningful results. At TNO, we believe this is our time to help society, government and business move forward faster. Together with driven colleagues, you turn knowledge into concrete innovations or ventures that truly make a difference by combining the power of science and entrepreneurship. And in doing so, you make your mark on our time.

The selection process

Important to know before applying:

Before the start of the internship, an internship agreement must be signed. For students enrolled at a Dutch university or university of applied sciences, TNO uses the UNL-template, supplemented with several TNO‑specific agreements. For students from foreign educational institutions and MBO (secondary vocational education) programmes, the TNO internship agreement applies. TNO does not sign any other internship agreements. Before the start of the internship, the educational institution will need to confirm in writing that you are enrolled at the educational institution for the duration of the internship, and the internship forms part of your study programme. The confirmation of educational institution takes place by signing the UNL template or forms prepared by TNO. 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.