Internship | Sealing of Sustainable Packaging with Recycled Materials

The Circular Packaging program at Brightlands Materials Center works on accelerating the transition to circular plastic packaging by innovations in material redesign, recycling, and impact assessment. Multilayer polymer films are key elements of many packaging. A large amount of those films are used as sealed films or multilayer pouches in food and non-food packaging. To improve the sustainability of the product, producers need to increase the amount of post-consumers recycled (PCR) material in their films. This may influence the performance of the material, in particular the sealing quality which guarantees leak-protection and longer shelf life in food applications. The aim of this project is to gain an understanding of the sealing process and its relation to the properties of the polymer used. Based on this understanding it is expected that we can design new plastic packaging with increased content of PCR fractions at equal or better performance in an economically viable way.

The relationship between the sealing performance and the content of PCR in packaging film is not well-understood, and depends on material properties and process parameters (temperature, sealing time, etc.). Your role will be to study the sealing performance of blend films under various process conditions to understand their relationship. You will also contribute to enriching the knowledge on the behaviour of these blend films containing different fractions of PCR content through extensive material characterization techniques.

You are a proactive and independent college/bachelor/master student with background in one of the following areas: chemistry, material sciences or chemical/materials engineering. Knowledge and affinity for polymer science is a requirement, as well as experience working in a laboratory environment. Data collection and organization via Excel sheets and basic analysis/post-processing of data is expected. Experience with polymer processing, material/mechanical testing is a plus. Good communication skills in English, particularly for presenting your work and writing reports, is expected.

You want to work on the precursor of your career; a work placement 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 working environment, with top experts as colleagues.
• A suitable internship allowance (615 euro for wo- and hbo-students, 390 euro for mbo-students, for a full-time internship).
• Eight hours of leave per internship month (for a full-time internship).
• A free membership of Jong TNO, where you can meet TNO-colleagues 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 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.