Internship | Knowledge Graphs for Infrastructure Renewal

TNO; Delft; On-site; EUR 5,800 - 7,900; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Laptop provided

Monthly internship allowance €615

Travel cost contribution

Jong TNO membership

Job summary

TNO invites MSc students to join an internship focused on knowledge graphs and emerging technologies. You will work across literature studies, data analysis, prototype development, and evaluation to improve data-driven decision-making in infrastructure.

The role blends research with practical experimentation in a multidisciplinary team. You will explore AI agents, advanced reasoning, ML, computer vision, and geospatial data within knowledge graphs to support renewal decisions.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a master's in a STEM field such as civil engineering, mechanical engineering, architecture, (applied) physics or mathematics, computer science, or related field.
• Strong investigative and critical attitude to understand why phenomena occur and determine their effect.
• Excellent English communication; Dutch language ability preferred (B1).

Responsibilities

• Explore and develop methods to integrate Knowledge Graphs with technologies to address real-world infrastructure renewal challenges.
• Conduct literature reviews, analyze real-world infrastructure data to identify information gaps and integration challenges.
• Design, prototype, and test methods that combine Knowledge Graphs with selected technologies.
• Document key findings, lessons learned and recommendations for future research and implementation.

Job description

About this positionThis internship offers the opportunity to contribute to innovative research at the intersection of Knowledge Graphs and emerging technologies, with the goal of improving data-driven decision-making in complex infrastructure environments. You will work on challenges related to integrating and structuring information from diverse data sources, enabling organizations to make better-informed, more transparent, and explainable decisions throughout the asset management lifecycle.As part of a multidisciplinary team, you will investigate how Knowledge Graphs can be combined with complementary technologies such as machine learning, large language models, computer vision, or geospatial analytics to create intelligent solutions for real-world problems. The position combines scientific research with practical experimentation, including literature studies, data analysis, prototype development, and evaluation. Throughout the internship, you will have the freedom to explore a research direction that matches your interests and expertise while contributing to the development of innovative methods for knowledge integration, decision support, and infrastructure intelligence. Ideas are welcomed, and you have the space to develop your expertise.What will be your role?During this internship, you will work on exploring and developing methods to integrate Knowledge Graphs with technologies to address real-world infrastructure renewal challenges. You will have the flexibility to focus on a specific research direction that aligns with your interests and academic background.Research directions:AI Agents and Knowledge GraphsExplore how LLM based agents can use Knowledge Graphs to carry out infrastructure assessment tasks, such as finding and combining relevant information, using existing engineering rules and calculations, identifying missing information, and explaining assessment results.Advanced Engineering Reasoning and Knowledge GraphsExplore how Knowledge Graphs can support increasingly detailed engineering assessments by incorporating more expressive rules, calculations and degradation models. Investigate how existing domain ontologies, engineering standards and asset specific parameters can be reused to support assessments such as degradation analysis and remaining service life estimation.Machine Learning and Knowledge GraphsExplore how machine learning can use connected information in Knowledge Graphs to discover hidden relationships, degradation patterns, and similarities between assets that may not be captured by existing engineering rules and assess how these insights can support renewal decisions.Computer Vision and Knowledge GraphsExplore how information extracted from (inspection) images, such as cracks and deterioration, can be integrated into Knowledge Graphs and combined with engineering knowledge to support infrastructure condition and renewal assessments.Geospatial Data and Knowledge GraphsExplore how geospatial data and spatial relationships can enrich Knowledge Graphs to understand assets in their network and environmental context and support infrastructure renewal decisions.This work will involve conducting a literature review to explore existing approaches in the chosen research area, analyzing real-world infrastructure data to identify information gaps and integration challenges, and designing methods that combine Knowledge Graphs with the selected technology. The research will also include developing and testing a prototype using relevant tools, frameworks, and datasets, evaluating its practical applicability, explainability, and value for decision support, and documenting key findings, lessons learned, and recommendations for future research and implementation.What we expect from youFor this internship, we are looking for a master’s student with a background in STEM such as civil engineering, mechanical engineering, architecture, (applied) physics or mathematics, computer science, or similar. You have an investigative and critical attitude to know why certain phenomenon occur and determine its effect. It helps if you are cooperative with others and are creative, but we are happy to support you in developing areas you want to learn more about. The student must live in The Netherlands with excellent communication skills in English, preferably Dutch language (B1 level). What matters the most is that you are curious, proactive, and enjoy working together.What you'll get in returnAn 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 employerOur 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 processYou can apply for this internship position until the 16th of October, 2026. After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation by email.TNO will arrange an appropriate internship agreement. If you have any questions about the content of the internship or the application procedure, you can contact the person listed below.If you start an internship with us, we will also ask you to provide a Certificate of Conduct (VOG).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 (opens in a new window or tab) (refers to a different website), 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.Has this job opening sparked your interest?Then we’d like to hear from you! Please contact us for more information about the job or the selection process. To apply, please upload your CV and covering letter using the ‘