Frequently Asked Questions

The next edition of the TNO Traineeship begins in September 2026, and the Trainee Selection Day for this programme is in May 2026.

The vacancy for the TNO Traineeship starting in February 2026 is now closed. Applications were accepted until 19 October 2025. The next traineeship will begin on 1 September 2026. Would you like to be notified when applications open? Sign up for our job alert and stay informed about new opportunities.

In addition to your cover letter and CV, we kindly ask you to prepare an assignment that focuses on your impact and learning objectives. You can find the assignment on the vacancy page and below under the heading ‘Assignment’.

In English.

No, you will no longer have access to the originally uploaded versions. If you accidentally uploaded an incorrect version of your documents, you can send the correct version to [email protected].

Our partner LTP provides you with an online assessment consisting of questionnaires about your personality, motivations and values. If the results of the assessment, combined with CV, motivation letter and assignment match our criteria and wishes for the TNO Traineeship, we will invite you to the Trainee Selection Day.

During the selection day, you will have two job interviews, complete a group assignment and give a short pitch. You will also get to know current and former trainees and other TNO employees.

This day will take place in The Hague, at Anna van Buerenplein 1.

The application period for the TNO Traineeship starting in February 2026 has ended. However, the selection process is still ongoing and will continue through November:

• Application deadline: October 19, 2025
• Invitation to complete an online personality questionnaire: October 21, 2025
• Rejection or invitation: between October 29 and 31, 2025
• Trainee Selection Day: November 14, 2025
• Final interviews: November 24, 2025
• Employment terms discussion (digital): November 26–28, 2025
• Start of the traineeship: February 1, 2026,

No, that is not possible. The Trainee Selection Day is a mandatory and important part of the selection procedure. On this day we will meet each other and you will get to know TNO and the TNO Traineeship better. The next traineeship starts in September 2026, and the Trainee Selection Day for this programme is in May 2026.

Yes, that is possible. At any stage of the selection procedure you can contact the recruiter (Serge Moesman - Corporate Recruiter | TNO) or email [email protected].

Assignment: Your impact and learning objectives:

Prepare one PowerPoint slide in which you answer the following two central questions in the TNO TNO Traineeship:

1. How are you going to make an impact?
2. What do you want to learn about yourself?

Submit your answer in one slide (PowerPoint format, .pptx). We encourage you to answer these questions in a personal and creative way. For example, you can illustrate/visualize the answers, write them out or add a link to a video. When writing, use a maximum of 200 words. If you want to share a video, limit it to 30 seconds and add a secure and accessible link to the slide.

We ask you to submit all documents, including the assignment, in English.

Our systems support MP4, MOV, WMV, MPG and MPEG formats. Please note that you place a link to the video in the PPT slide and do not upload a video.

There are 6 to 8 positions available for each starting date of the TNO Traineeship.

We try to take your interests and educational background into account as much as possible. This will be discussed during the selection process. For your assignment, we also depend on the departments that are available.

The TNO Traineeship is a full-time programme. This means: Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week.

That depends on the department you will work for, but it will be at one of our locations in the Netherlands. Our head office is located in The Hague. You can check out all our locations here.

No, there isn’t a dress code at TNO. You can check out our LinkedIn or Instagram if you want to see how our colleagues dress. We recommend business casual for the Trainee Selection Day.

No, you will not receive a certificate or reference letter. However, you can include your experiences on your resume, as the TNO Traineeship involves working in various roles.

It is not possible to remain a trainee for longer than 2 years. Most trainees continue working at TNO in a role that suits their talents. Are you curious about the different roles? Read the stories of our employees.

If you have the ambition to specialize as a scientist, to delve deeply into a specific field and want to develop professionally in that specific role, then a starter position as a scientist is a better fit for you. As a scientist, TNO also offers you a programme in which you get to know and develop your talents: our Talent Development Programme.

At the end of the TNO traineeship, you will be prepared to take on a role such as Project Manager, Business Developer, Consultant, or (line) management. If you prefer to work in the role of Scientist, we advise you to look at our (entry-level) vacancies.

If necessary, we will reimburse hotel costs. Before booking, please contact HR via [email protected].

If you move to the Netherlands for your position, we can arrange a number of things for you. We always discuss what you need. This can range from housing, to tax and language assistance.

No, you do not have to live in the Netherlands. Please note that we only consider applications from European residents. If you live in the Netherlands or another European country, but are a non-EU citizen, TNO can sponsor your work permit in the Netherlands.

TNO is primarily a Dutch organisation. However, colleagues speak English when necessary, and we strive to make all internal communication and important documents available in English. Some units and research departments have predominantly Dutch-speaking customers, so speaking Dutch may be a requirement for certain departments. We offer you Dutch courses once you start the TNO Traineeship.

TNO is a Dutch organisation. We also work for many international customers and in European projects. TNO employs people from over 50 countries. The majority, approximately 80% of our employees, are Dutch.

• At the start of the traineeship, you must hold a Master’s degree (MSc).
• You must have graduated no more than two years prior (University MSc), calculated from the traineeship’s start date.
• You have a bachelor's degree in:
  • Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics. In particular, we are looking for candidates with a background in: computer science, artificial intelligence, data science, (applied) physics, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering and (applied) mathematics.
• You have a master's degree in:
  • A master's degree in a technical study, but you know and can show that you want to connect with other disciplines. Or:
  • A field of study that shows broadening and interdisciplinary connection. For example, a master's degree in Technical Business Administration, Innovation Management, Transition Management or Industrial Design.
• You have a broad interest, which is evident from your combination of master's and bachelor's degrees, and/or your extracurricular activities that you have undertaken in addition to your studies.
• You live in Europe.

We hope to see the following in your motivation letter and assignment:

• You are interested in and perhaps already have knowledge of and experience with helping to solve social and economic issues.
• You are driven by knowledge and science and like to translate this into real world solutions.
• You want to innovate and look beyond the status quo.
• You are daring, in coming up with new ideas.
• You have strong communication skills, which allows you to connect with the people around you and work towards new solutions.
• You like a challenge and enjoy taking responsibility.
• You take control of your work, but also of your own development.

At TNO, we attach great value to both professional skills and (inter)personal skills. These skills can be developed within or outside your studies or work. We are curious about the experiences you have gained, what you have learned from them and how the result of that learning process is visible in other experiences.

A University Master is required.

See under ‘What are the selection criteria?’. This does not mean that other studies are excluded, but if you have one of these educations and/or research experience, there are many opportunities for you within TNO.

The TNO Traineeship may not seem like the best match for you, but you can stay informed by registering for our job alert or view our other vacancies for something that matches.

No, that is not possible. Matching the right candidates with our available places is a complex process. You can trust that the recruiters and research managers will, in addition to the interests of the organisation, take your interests into account. Ultimately, both parties benefit from the best possible match.

No, matching the right candidates and our available spots is a puzzle where you can rely on the recruiters and research managers to keep your best interest at heart. In the end we all benefit from the best possible match.

You can read more about the TNO Traineeship.

You can stay informed by registering for our job alert and selecting ‘Traineeship’ under ‘Job Type’.

You can contact our recruiter, Serge Moesman, via +31 (0)6 10933586.