Internship | LCA of flame retardants under Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design framework

This internship is part of the Horizon Europe project PLANETS. PLANETS aims to develop alternative flame retardants (FRs) that are significantly safer for workers and consumers, have a considerably lower environmental impact, and remain economically viable while considering social aspects. The internship will mainly focus on creating more sustainable alternatives for expanded polystyrene (EPS), extruded polyethylene (XPE), and polyurethane (PU) foams. This outlines the safe and sustainable by design (SSbD) scoping and assessment activities, establishing the foundation for future SSbD assessments.

You will be conducting an intermediate quantitative SSbD assessment, mainly focusing on the environmental impacts of PLANETS FRs. The assessment will rely on established frameworks for human health risks and life cycle sustainability impacts. To gather the required inputs and better understand the sustainability aspects of FRs, questionnaires will be designed to facilitate communication with the industrial partners. Data will be collected throughout the value chain from industrial partners, with a level of detail appropriate for the early innovation stage. Life cycle environmental impacts will be conducted to evaluate the FRs’ sustainability within the context of PLANETS’ SSbD framework. The results of this assessment will be used to provide guidance for the parallel technical development of FRs, enabling the identification of the most promising FRs alternatives.

• Follow a master program in industrial ecology, environmental enginering, chemical engineering, or related studies;
• Have interests in molecules in chemical industries;
• Have an investigative and critical attitude;
• Like to cooperate with others and are creative;
• Live in The Netherlands;
• Have excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

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.