Time setter story: Denzil Joy on the TNO Traineeship

Pioneering research

Denzil has a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and specialised with a master's degree in Robotics and AI at TU Delft. Originally from India, he learned about TNO through lunch lectures during his studies. ‘I was not familiar with traineeships, but I did know TNO from lunch lectures during my studies. I knew that I would get the chance to do pioneering research here,’ he reflects.

‘At TNO, I get the chance to work with the best experts on innovations that do not yet exist... On technologies that are so new that the application is sometimes not even clear, but which will eventually contribute to solving various societal problems.’

Three rotations, one revelation

Denzil's traineeship journey took him through three rotations that shaped his career path. ‘The third rotation, for me, was the game-changer. I had done two rotations as scientist, while the traineeship is actually focused on generalist roles. So for my third rotation, l decided to experience what the other roles have to offer,’ Denzil explains.

He crafted a combination role: project manager for a trainee project, part-time consultant at Energy Transition Studies in Amsterdam, and part-time business developer for the market team. It was during this final rotation that Denzil had a revelation. ‘I realised that I really like being in between a scientist and the market team. To translate the questions from clients to the scientists within our organisation.

This led him to pursue a new role at TNO after his traineeship. In September 2025, Denzil will be landing at TNO as a consultant Data Science. ‘I did not expect it to suit me so much!’

Open to new experiences

For students considering the TNO Traineeship, Denzil has clear advice: ‘It is really important to be open to new experiences and challenge yourself. Only then you will get the most out of the traineeship. For the first eight months, I was very fixed on the path I saw for myself. I was determined to stay on the technical side of things. It prevented me from experiencing the new things that the traineeship was offering because I had my own trajectory too fixed in mind.’

New horizons

The traineeship provided Denzil with essential development opportunities – that he made the most of. ‘Coaching sessions, workshops, buddies, your training cohort, all of these really help you discover things that you did not know you would like.’

‘The traineeship opened up new horizons for me in other ways, too. It helped me become a more extroverted person. Someone that just goes out there, talks to people and connects them when I sense new opportunities.’ He particularly values the communication tools he developed: ‘Giving presentations, leading workshops, brainstorm sessions, that is all invaluable experience.’

International

As an international trainee, Denzil faced some challenges, particularly with language barriers. ‘Being international, it was initially hard to integrate into a primarily Dutch organisation. Some departments who work for just the government or the ministries also have strong requirements of language.’

TNO supported him by offering Dutch lessons. ‘And I learned to step up and let people know ‘Can we switch to English?’ The traineeship gave me means to navigate such obstacles in the workplace.’

Strong network

One aspect Denzil plans to maintain from his traineeship experience is the strong network he built. ‘One of the main things that makes the trainee group itself quite successful is that we ensure we keep in touch with each other. In the personal and professional sense. For me, it will remain the network where I can discuss successes and struggles.’

Want to make your mark on our time? The TNO Traineeship starts on February 1, 2026. Applications open on September 29, 2025, and close on October 19, 2025.