Internship | AI Systems for Early Detection of Developmental Disorders

Dutch Youth Healthcare (YHC) routinely monitors the developmental milestones of children aged 0-4 years using the Dutch Development Instrument (DDI), known in Dutch as Van Wiechenonderzoek. YHC professionals observe these milestones during routine visits to track development and identify potential delays due to disorders such as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Developmental Language Disorder. Despite aiming for early detection, the DDI can miss subtle patterns or abnormalities in movement, speech, and language behavior, leading to late identification of developmental delays and missed opportunities for early intervention and treatment. Efforts to address these issues have focused on providing instructional videos for parents. A more advanced solution involves using artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to enable a multi-modal approach, capturing a wider range of digital biomarkers. By applying AI to video and speech data to capture visual (movements) and auditory (sounds) cues, abnormalities are expected to be detected at an earlier stage.

Our previous research explored the attitudes, needs, and concerns of parents, healthcare professionals (including YHC professionals), and YHC managers regarding AI's use in monitoring children’s development as a prerequisite for its potential successful implementation and usage. The results showed generally positive attitudes towards AI, recognizing its potential to enhance efficiency, support healthcare professionals, and improve monitoring. While AI algorithms for movements and sounds are available, they need further refinement to improve accuracy for detecting developmental disorders.

You will be part of the Child Health team located at TNO in Leiden. You will study how an AI-driven system for early detection of developmental disorders can be used in daily practice by parents, YHC professionals, physiotherapists, speech therapists, clinicians, and other healthcare professionals to detect developmental disorders early by developing and testing a demo. This study aims to provide a conceptual framework of the system's potential design. It will help to get insight into the entire process, from start to end, and offer insights into the system’s use and technology.
You will work on developing and fine-tuning AI algorithms for movements based on available video data from children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy provided by the Duchenne Parent Project and children with normal development provided by TNO.

• MSc student currently living in the Netherlands and registered at a Dutch University.
• Willing to work at the TNO Leiden office at least once a week.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team. You will be guided by experts in AI, intelligent imaging, child development, and YHC.
• Highly motivated with a problem-solving mindset.
• Able to start as soon as possible.
• Technical requirements:
  • Deep-Learning Engineering.
  • Computer Vision for Movement Analysis.
  • Gen-AI and Foundation Models.
  • Experience with Azure is a plus.

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.

For this internship vacancy it is required that the AIVD issues a security clearance (VGB) after conducting a security screening. Take into account that this process may take about 8 weeks. If you have been abroad for more than 6 consecutive months, or if you do not have the Dutch nationality, it may take longer. Read more about security screening on the AIVD website.

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.