Internship | Wind Energy & Ecology: Sensor Data Analysis of Bird and Bat Behaviour

Are you a motivated MSc student with an interest in both ecology and technology? At TNO, we work at the forefront of wind energy innovation, ensuring, among others, that the transition to sustainable energy is compatible with nature. Within our multidisciplinary team, we investigate the interactions between wind farms and wildlife, with a particular focus on bird and bat behaviour.

As an intern, you will contribute to ongoing research projects that aim to better understand and mitigate the ecological impacts of wind energy. You will work with unique datasets collected during offshore and onshore measurement campaigns, where advanced sensing technologies such as radar systems, thermal cameras, and acoustic microphones are used to monitor animal activity.

This internship offers a valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience with real-world data, contribute to applied research, and collaborate with experts in wind energy, ecology, and data science.

During this internship, you will support the analysis and interpretation of ecological monitoring data. Depending on your interests and background, your work may include:

• Processing and analysing datasets from one or more sensor types (e.g. radar tracks, thermal imagery, acoustic recordings)
• Developing and applying data analysis workflows in Python, MATLAB, or R
• Identifying patterns in bird and/or bat activity in relation to environmental conditions and wind farm operation
• Visualising results and communicating findings to the project team
• Documenting your methods and results in a technical report

You will be supervised by experienced researchers and will work closely with colleagues from different disciplines, providing a broad learning experience at the intersection of data science, ecology, and renewable energy.

We are looking for a student with a passion for both renewable energy and ecology. You should be curious, analytical, and not afraid to reach out to internal and external experts. Experience with data analysis, scripting, or working with radar, visual, or audio data is a plus, but not required.

Relevant study backgrounds include:

• Ecology-focused: (Applied) Biology, Forest and Nature Management, Environmental Biology
• Data-focused: (Applied) Data Science, Bioinformatics, Computer Vision
• Other related fields are also welcome

The placement ideally lasts 6 months, with the potential option to extend into an MSc thesis.

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.

After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation by email. Interviews will take place between the 7th of July and the 17th of July.

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.