Internship | Large Scale Human Microbiome Data Integration

At TNO, we aim to improve human health. This internship contributes to the societal goal of personalized nutrition and preventive healthcare by analyzing large human gut microbiome data through cutting-edge bioinformatics. Your work will directly support innovations in microbiota feedback reports and new bioinformatics services, helping companies to design personalized interventions. Ultimately, this will help individuals make better lifestyle and nutritional choices and support long-term health.

You will collect, process, and analyze a large amount of human metagenomic datasets from both public sources and in-house studies, with a primary focus on gut microbiomes, other human-associated microbiomes, and optionally edible food microbiomes. The aim is to build a comprehensive biome dataset that supports feedback for future participants and serves as a foundation for advanced statistical analyses to improve human health through microbial insights [Arif, S. J., et. al., 2025. Trends in Microbiology].

Key Deliverables:

• Develop a robust algorithm to assess bacterial taxa based on health relevance, diversity, and stability.
• Generate comparative insights against population averages and specific cohorts (e.g., age, diet, lifestyle).

You will design and refine algorithms for microbiome scoring, similarity indexing, and population-level comparisons. You will work within a multidisciplinary team of bioinformaticians, microbiologists, and data scientists, collaborating to advance TNO’s microbiome research through innovation, knowledge-sharing, and practical application.

As intern at TNO, you will receive appropriate guidance. Our projects provide solutions to social issues; your internship will have a direct social impact. You will have a lot of freedom to make your own interpretation of your internship. You will be granted a monthly gross.

We are looking for a motivated and curious young scientist with strong analytical skills and a passion for bioinformatics. You are a team player, proactive, and eager to learn.

Hard skills:

• Master’s degree (in progress or just finished) in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, or related field.
• Strong programming skills (Python and/or R, Bash scripting and Linux-based servers).
• Familiarity with statistical modeling and machine learning.
• Experience in shotgun metagenomic analysis and microbiome research is optional but highly desirable.

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.