Internship | PFAS Free Firefighting Foam

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

Benefits offered by this job

Monthly internship allowance €615

Up to 8 hours leave per month

Travel expense contribution

Jong TNO membership

Laptop and facilities provided

Professional supervision

Room to develop and network

Job summary

At TNO in Eindhoven, participate in a PFAS-free firefighting foam project as an intern. You will learn the physical/chemical processes, develop formulations, and test properties under guidance from a team of experts.

We expect a proactive HBO or university student, ideally at Master’s level, with a Chemistry or Chemical Engineering background and strong English communication skills for reporting and presentations. The internship can align with your Master’s thesis requirements.

Qualifications

• Proactive, pragmatic, independent HBO or university student; preferably Master's.
• Background in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering.
• Knowledge of physical chemistry.
• Hands-on mindset; practical approach.
• Experience with polymers and rheology is a plus.
• Strong English communication, especially in presentations and reports.
• May be combined with a Master's thesis per university requirements.

Responsibilities

• Develop firefighting formulations and test their firefighting properties.
• Perform physical and chemical analyses (e.g., TGA, SEM, rheology, surface tension).
• Explore nanomaterials, polymers and surfactants in foam with guidance from the project team.

Skills

Chemistry

Chemical Engineering

English communication

Job description

About this position

Pollution of the environment with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is a significant concern, which has grown considerably in recent years. PFAS compounds are persistent and will accumulate in micro-organisms, in animals and humans. Many of these materials will be banned or severely restricted by the government in the future, but TNO already has performed research for several years to find PFAS-free solutions.

What will be your role?

In this project, we are developing a PFAS-free firefighting foam, and you will learn about the physical / chemical process of firefighting. Your work consists of developing firefighting formulations and testing their firefighting properties. Physical and chemical analyses are also part of your work such as TGA, SEM, rheology surface tension, and more. You will help us understand the complex behaviour that results from combining nanomaterials, polymers, and surfactants in a foam. The experiments will be designed based on prior research and combined with the innovative nanomaterials technology of TNO. The internship will last for at least 4months, and longer durations are possible if preferred by the candidate.

What we expect from you

You are a proactive, pragmatic, and independent HBO or university student, preferably at the Master's level, with a background in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering.

You have knowledge of and affinity with physical chemistry.

You have a practical, hands‑on mindset.

Experience with polymers and rheology is considered an advantage.

You possess strong communication skills in English, particularly when presenting your work and writing reports.

Depending on your university's requirements, this project can be combined with a Master's thesis project.

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.

The 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. If you have any doubts about your eligibility for a certain support or you have questions, you can contact the Education Office at TNO. TNO will arrange an appropriate internship agreement. If you have any doubts about your eligibility for a certain support or you have questions, you can contact the Education Office at 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.