Internship | Measurement Technician at the Delft Construction Innovation Lab

Would you like to work with unique equipment and enjoy a different challenge every day? Then the Measurement Technology team of Reliable Structures at the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) is the place for you!

The Measurement Technology team instruments unique test setups in the mechanical testing hall of the Delft Construction Innovation Lab and far beyond. In the testing hall, for example, offshore LNG hoses are aged, sheet pile wall thicknesses are measured, and the tensile strength of the latest wind turbine blades is determined. In addition to work in the hall, you will regularly go into the field to perform on-site measurements, such as measuring the prestressing force in the bolts of one of the Dutch storm surge barriers, the Balgstuw at Ramspol, or installing monitoring systems on major steel bridges in the Netherlands and in the tallest buildings of the Benelux region. All of this is done so that scientists can support their recommendations with the measurement data you help collect.

During your internship, you will assist in preparing, setting up, and carrying out these measurements. Equipment maintenance and calibration may also be part of your responsibilities. The work involves a wide range of activities, including designing measurement setups, connecting equipment, programming, and analyzing data. There will be very little sitting still. There is also room for you to develop expertise in new measurement techniques such as Digital Image Correlation (DIC) and Acoustic Emission (AE), as well as the control and operation of fixed tensile testing machines. You will work alongside experienced measurement technicians who can teach you the practical skills of the profession. Depending on your educational background and interests, we can offer a suitable set of tasks that will allow you to further develop your skills.

At the Delft Construction Innovation Lab, you will work alongside colleagues from the Reliable Structures (RS) department. RS consists of approximately 50 people with various technical backgrounds. In the lab, we work as a team of seven colleagues, including three measurement technicians. You will therefore be part of a small and diverse group. During your internship at the DBL lab, you will work closely with your supervisor. Through regular progress meetings, we ensure that you are comfortable in your role and able to make progress on your assignment. Each day starts with a joint meeting with your supervisor. This is when the supervisor outlines the day's schedule. You will also have the opportunity to share your own plans and ideas for the day, after which you will create a schedule together.

We are looking for a student in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Applied Physics who is highly motivated and eager to gain practical experience. We expect that you will be able to carry out tasks independently, at least in part. Proficiency in the Dutch language is required. To work safely in the lab, a VCA certification is required. If you do not already have one, we will provide you with a training program to obtain it.

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.

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.

You can apply for this internship position until the 1st of September, 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.

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.