Internship | Spatial challenges

About this position

Major societal challenges such as climate change, housing shortages, the energy transition, and digital transformation are driving transitions across multiple sectors, including mobility, the built environment, and energy. TNO works on solutions to these major societal challenges, recognizing that transitions, technological developments, and societal changes are closely interconnected.

As an intern at TNO Vector Centre for Social Innovation and Strategy, you will contribute to research projects focused on decision-making and the governance of transitions.

What will be your role?

You will be working within the Sustainability and Spatial Governance (SSG) Research Group at TNO Vector. TNO Vector helps shape the society of tomorrow by smartly combining expertise in technology, innovation, and policy to create actionable insights for governments and businesses.

Within this, the SSG group focuses on strategic spatial challenges such as urbanization, sustainable mobility, smart cities, and natural gas-free neighborhoods. The team, consisting of around 30 experts, develops knowledge, conducts research, sets agendas, and provides advice on these complex issues. Central to this work is building connections: between technology and society, across different scale levels, between science and practice, between stakeholders and their interests, and across areas of expertise.

As an intern within Sustainability and Spatial Governance, you will contribute to projects for a range of clients, including local, regional, and national governments, as well as consortia. Topics you may work on include vital systems in urban contexts, nature-inclusive built environments, and heat networks.

You are motivated by working on strategic and complex challenges. Your role will involve contributing to research and advisory work on decision-making concepts related to these topics. In addition, you will help write project proposals, conduct research, organize workshops, and contribute to articles.

What we expect from you

You are currently enrolled in an academic program related to spatial challenges, such as environmental sciences, spatial planning, urban planning, public administration, or civil engineering.

Through your studies or work experience, you are able to apply methods such as knowledge sharing and stakeholder mapping in practice. You have an interest in policy, innovation, technology, and applied research. You have strong analytical skills and are able to quickly get to the core of a problem. You are sensitive to relationships and dynamics between stakeholders. You can easily switch between a broad overview and detailed analysis without losing sight of what matters. In addition, you have strong communication skills and preferably knowledge of stakeholder processes.

You are independent, flexible, and take initiative. You are a strong networker and team player, capable of working on multiple projects simultaneously. You have excellent writing and presentation skills, preferably also in English.

What else you bring:

• A university degree in environmental sciences, (technical) public administration, spatial planning, innovation and/or transition studies, or a related field.
• Experience through work or education with transitions, preferably systems thinking, and possibly the built environment or energy.
• Knowledge and expertise (through education or experience) in decision-making processes and stakeholder participation.
• Affinity for working in interdisciplinary research teams.
• Strong writing and presentation skills in both Dutch and English.

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 24th 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.