Internship | Assessment of Future Logistics Demand vs Supply in North Sea Energy

The North Sea is rapidly evolving into a multi-use energy system, with large-scale deployment of offshore wind, carbon capture and storage (CCS), offshore hydrogen, and continued oil & gas operations. This transition places unprecedented demands on the offshore logistics supply chain, including ports, vessels, and operational strategies across installation, operations & maintenance (O&M), and decommissioning phases.

This internship focuses on identifying and quantifying potential gaps between future logistics demand and available supply in the Dutch North Sea sector within the 2030–2050 energy roadmap. The work will take a system-level perspective, considering Dutch port infrastructure and the broader North Sea vessel network.

You will contribute to a high-impact study in the North Sea Energy programme, involving industry stakeholders and international partners, with the goal of delivering a public report/whitepaper that supports strategic decision-making in offshore energy development in the North Sea.

Proposed tasks:

The main objective is to assess the mismatch between logistics demand and supply across multiple offshore energy sectors and to explore potential solutions, with expected tasks including:

• Map expected offshore energy developments (wind, CCS, hydrogen, O&G) and associated logistics demand (ports, vessels, human resources).
• Identify and characterize current and planned logistics supply in the Dutch and surrounding North Sea region.
• Analyze gaps between demand and supply across installation, O&M, and decommissioning phases.
• Assess key constraints such as port capacity, vessel availability, weather windows, and operational bottlenecks.
• Explore potential solutions and innovations (e.g., new vessel concepts, port upgrades, operational strategies).
• Engage with project partners and stakeholders to validate assumptions and findings.
• Translate results into clear insights and recommendations for a public report/whitepaper.

• You have a strong analytical mindset and an interest in offshore energy systems, logistics, and system-level challenges.
• You have a background in engineering, maritime, offshore, transport/logistics, or a related field, and are currently enrolled in a Master’s programme in a relevant discipline.
• You are interested in complex, interdisciplinary problems combining technical, logistical, and strategic aspects.
• You are comfortable working with data, assumptions, and uncertainty to build structured analyses (quantitative or qualitative).
• You can translate broad research questions into clear methodologies and actionable insights.
• You communicate clearly in written and verbal form and can structure your work into a coherent report.

You want an internship opportunity on the precursor of your career; an internship gives you an opportunity to take a good look at your prospective future employer. TNO goes a step further. It’s not just looking that interests us; you and your knowledge are essential to our innovation. That’s why we attach a great deal of value to your personal and professional development. You will, of course, be properly supervised during your work placement and be given the scope for you to get the best out of yourself. Furthermore, we provide:

• A highly professional, innovative internship environment, within a team of top experts.
• A suitable internship allowance (615 euro for wo-, hbo- and mbo-students, for a full-time internship).
• Possibility of eight hours of free leave per internship month (for a full-time internship).
• A free membership of Jong TNO, where you can meet other TNO professionals and join several activities, such as sports activities, (work-related) courses or the yearly ski-trip.
• Use of a laptop.
• An allowance for travel expenses in case you don’t receive an OV-card.

At TNO, we innovate for a healthier, safer and more sustainable life. And for a strong economy. Since 1932, we have been making knowledge and technology available for the common good. We find each other in wonder and ingenuity. We are driven to push boundaries. There is all the space and support for your talent and ambition. You work with people who will challenge you: who inspire you and want to learn from you. Our state-of-the-art facilities are there to realize your vision. What you do at TNO matters: impact makes the difference. Because with every innovation you contribute to tomorrow’s world. Read more about TNO as an employer.

At TNO we encourage an inclusive work environment, where you can be yourself. Whatever your story and whatever unique qualities you bring to the table. It is by combining our unique strengths and perspectives that we are able to develop innovations that make a real difference in society. Want to know more? Read what steps we are taking in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion.

After the first CV selection, the application process will be conducted by the concerning department. TNO will provide a suitable internship agreement. If you have any questions about this vacancy, you can contact the contact person mentioned below.

Important to be aware of before applying:

• Before the start of the internship, the internship agreement from TNO needs to be signed. For students at a college or university based in the Netherlands, TNO uses the UNL-template (supplemented with a number of specific agreements from TNO). For students of foreign and MBO educational institutions, 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:
  • 1) you are enrolled at the educational institution during the internship, and;
  • 2) the internship takes place as part of the programme of the study.

• The confirmation of educational institution takes place by signing the UNL template or forms prepared by TNO.
• Interns at TNO must be in possession of a Dutch residential address at the start of the internship. Performance of internship activities from abroad is not possible.