Internship | Materials for electrocatalytic CO₂ Reduction

TNO; Eindhoven; On-site; EUR 6,200 - 7,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

615 €/month internship allowance

8 hours leave per internship month

Travel expense contribution

Jong TNO membership

Job summary

TNO offers an internship at the intersection of electrochemistry, materials science and clean technology in Eindhoven. You will design, test and improve copper-based electrode materials, translate results into insights, and advance CO₂ conversion toward practical use.

Join a multidisciplinary team to explore catalyst materials, reactor design and operating conditions, while conducting experiments and communicating results in English.

Qualifications

• Hands-on lab experience required.
• Strong interest in energy transition and sustainable tech.
• Good written and spoken English.

Responsibilities

• Build scientific foundation by exploring CO₂ electroreduction literature.
• Design and fabricate electrode materials and test them.
• Run electrochemical CO₂ reduction experiments and optimize conditions.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team and present findings.

Skills

Lab experience

English communication

Team collaboration

Education

MSc in Materials Science

MSc in Nanotechnology

MSc in Chemistry

MSc in Chemical Engineering

Job description

About this positionIn this internship, you will work at the exciting intersection of electrochemistry, materials science and clean technology. Together with a multidisciplinary team, you will design, test and improve electrode materials, translate experimental results into new insights, and help bring CO₂ conversion one step closer to practical application. You will investigate copper-based catalysts, known for their promising selectivity, and explore how electrode design, material composition, stack assembly and operating conditions influence performance.What will be your role?Build your scientific foundationExplore the latest literature on CO₂ electroreduction and synthetic fuel pathways;Understand catalyst materials, especially copper based systems for ethylene production;Learn about electrochemical reactor and cell design.Create and improve electrode materialsDesign and fabricate novel electrodes;Investigate materials and processes that improve conductivity, selectivity, and durability of the electrodes.Run experiments and uncover insightsPerform electrochemical CO₂ reduction experiments;Optimise operating conditions such as temperature, feedstock flow and current density;Analyse performance in terms of efficiency, selectivity, and stability.Collaborate, communicate and shape the projectDiscuss results with a multidisciplinary team;Contribute ideas and improvements to the project;Present your findings in reports and presentations.What we expect from youYou are available for an internship of at least 6 months, ideally during your MSc phase;You have a strong interest in the energy transition and sustainable technologies;You have previous hands-on experience working in a lab;You are curious, proactive, and enjoy tackling complex challenges;You are comfortable working independently as well as collaborating within a team;You communicate clearly in English.Students from disciplines such as materials science, nanotechnology, chemistry, chemical engineering or related fields are especially encouraged to apply and will be considered a strong match for this internship.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 2nd 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, 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 ‘