Internship | Materials for Electrocatalytic CO₂ Reduction

TNO; Geleen; Presencial; EUR 6.700 - 7.000; Tempo integral

Benefícios oferecidos por esta vaga

Jong TNO membership

Travel expense support

Study leave (8 hours per internship月)

Internship stipend 615€ / month

Resumo da vaga

TNO offers an internship at the intersection of electrochemistry, materials science and clean technology. You will design, test and improve electrode materials, translate results into insights, and help bring CO₂ conversion closer to practical application.

You will investigate copper-based catalysts and explore how electrode design and operating conditions influence performance. You will work with a multidisciplinary team, perform experiments, optimize conditions, analyze performance, and

Qualificações

• Internship length: at least 6 months, ideally during MSc.
• Strong interest in energy transition and sustainable technologies.
• Previous hands-on experience working in a lab.
• Curious, proactive, and able to tackle complex challenges.
• Comfortable working independently as well as in a team.
• Clear English communication.
• Students from materials science, nanotechnology, chemistry, chemical engineering or related fields encouraged to apply.

Responsabilidades

• Build your scientific foundation: explore literature on CO₂ electroreduction and copper-based systems for ethylene production.
• Create and improve electrode materials: design and fabricate novel electrodes; investigate materials and processes that improve conductivity, selectivity, and durability.
• Run experiments and uncover insights: perform electrochemical CO₂ reduction experiments; optimise operating conditions (temperature, feedstock flow, current density); analyse performance (efficiency, selectivity, stability).
• Collaborate, communicate and shape the project: discuss results with a multidisciplinary team; present findings in reports and presentations.

Descrição da vaga

About this position

In 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 foundation: Explore 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 materials: Design and fabricate novel electrodes. Investigate materials and processes that improve conductivity, selectivity, and durability of the electrodes.
• Run experiments and uncover insights: Perform 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 project: Discuss results with a multidisciplinary team. Contribute ideas and improvements to the project. Present your findings in reports and presentations.

What we expect from you

• You 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 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

You can apply for this internship position until the 13th of November, 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.