Internship | Development of adjoint model for policy relevant source attribution of air pollution

About this position

Would you like to contribute to a cleaner and healthier society? This internship focuses on the development of an efficient tool for to identifying source sectorsidentify sectors and locations regions with highest impact oncontributions to air pollution and its impact on health and nature., These insights helping help policy makers in the design of effective mitigation plans. You will work within our air quality modeling team on mathematical solutions for retrieving relevant information to help improve the air quality and reduce its impact on human health and ecosystems. You will be part of a collaborative team in an environment that values curiosity and initiative, while supporting both professional expertise and personal growth.

What will be your role?

During this internship you will work on the development of an adjoint version of the LOTOS-EUROS chemistry transport model where the calculations are done in reverse to trace back the air pollution concentration to its source sectors and regions. You will build on already existing adjoint components in the model.

The work will consist of different tasks and phases, including:

• Creating a development plan outlining and prioritizing necessary steps, as well as researching prospective clients and partnerships. The latter will be supported by TNO’s business developer team.
• Implement the adjoint version of the gas-phase chemistry in LOTOS-EUROS using the Kinetic PreProcessor (KPP) tool.
• Creating a use case demonstrator intended for presentation to prospective clients.

Along the way you will further develop your mathematical programming skills as well as gain knowledge in the field of atmospheric chemistry and air quality policy support. You will experience and contribute to all different aspects of working within an research organisation on an innovative method for supporting different types of policy makers.

What we expect from you

For this internship, we are looking for a student with a background in computational science, mathematics, physics or chemistry, familiarity with scientific programming, and an interest in air pollution modeling. It is helpful if you have strong problem-solving skills and a willingness to explore unfamiliar topics. Clear communication and the ability to share your insights with others will contribute to a collaborative learning environment. We are also happy to support you in developing areas where you want to grow further.

What matters most is that you are curious, proactive, and enjoy working together on environment relevant solutions.

The intended duration of the internship is 6 months but open to discussion.

What you'll get in return

An internship at TNO means working in an environment where substance and impact are central. You will become part of a knowledge organisation where research and practice come together, and where experts collaborate on solutions to current societal and technological challenges.

Your internship is a period in which you can discover what suits you, where your strengths lie and what you would like to learn next. You are part of a professional working environment, gain insight into how things work in practice, and have the opportunity to build experience that goes beyond this internship alone. For many students, an internship is therefore also a first step in discovering whether TNO could be a potential next step after graduation.

In addition, we offer you:

• A professional and innovative internship environment in which you actively contribute to societal and technological challenges, working alongside leading experts in your field.
• Personal and dedicated supervision, with focus on your learning objectives, development and study assignment.
• Room to develop: you gain relevant work experience, develop both your subject‑specific and professional skills, and build a valuable network.
• Use of a laptop and the facilities you need to perform your work effectively.
• A monthly internship allowance of €615 for a full-time internship, for MSc, BSc and vocational education (MBO) students.
• Up to eight hours of leave per internship month for a full-time internship, allowing you to balance your internship with your studies and personal life.
• A contribution towards travel expenses if you are not entitled to a student travel card.
• A free membership to Jong TNO: the network for young colleagues, where you can meet other TNO colleagues and participate in sports activities, professional and personal development activities, and social events such as the annual ski trip.

TNO as an employer

Our people are at the heart of TNO. Their curiosity, expertise and entrepreneurial mindset make it possible to deliver high-impact research and innovations that contribute to society’s sustainable wellbeing and prosperity. That is why we invest in an inspiring and inclusive working environment where colleagues can excel, have autonomy and continue to grow.

Your talent and ambition have every opportunity to flourish at TNO. You work with experts (both within and beyond TNO), have access to advanced technology and the freedom to explore, experiment and innovate. Our strength lies in independence, reliability and collaboration. We find each other in wonder and ingenuity. We are driven to push boundaries. By working with businesses and government, and by connecting different perspectives, we strengthen our innovative capability and create responsible, meaningful results.

At TNO, we believe this is our time to help society, government and business move forward faster. Together with driven colleagues, you turn knowledge into concrete innovations or ventures that truly make a difference by combining the power of science and entrepreneurship. And in doing so, you make your mark on our time.

The selection process

You can apply for this internship position until the 16th of June, 2026. After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation by email.

TNO will arrange an appropriate internship agreement. If you have any questions about the content of the internship or the application procedure, you can contact the person listed below.

If you start an internship with us, we will also ask you to provide a Certificate of Conduct (VOG).

Important to know before applying:

• Before the start of the internship, an internship agreement must be signed. For students enrolled at a Dutch university or university of applied sciences, TNO uses the UNL-template , supplemented with several TNO‑specific agreements. For students from foreign educational institutions and MBO (secondary vocational education) programmes, 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 for the duration of the internship, and;
  2. the internship forms part of your study programme.

1. you are enrolled at the educational institution for the duration of the internship, and;
2. the internship forms part of your study programme.

The confirmation of educational institution takes place by signing the UNL template or forms prepared by TNO.

• Interns at TNO must have a registered residential address in the Netherlands at the start of the internship. Carrying out internship activities from abroad is not possible.
• Are you an international student? Please note that you must have a BSN (Dutch citizen service number) before the start of your internship. Applying for a BSN can take several weeks, so make sure to start this process well in advance.