Internship | Fast conduction models for fire

Fire safety on ships depends on understanding how heat spreads through structural components such as hulls, walls, and floors. One important process in this is heat conduction. In fire modelling, conduction can be described in different ways: using simple methods that estimate an average temperature of a structure, or using more detailed numerical models that calculate how temperature varies throughout the material.

Both approaches have advantages. Simpler methods are faster and efficient, while detailed methods provide more accurate results when local temperature differences matter. However, these approaches are typically used separately, and there is currently limited guidance on how to combine them effectively.

In this internship, you will work within a team developing advanced fire models for ships. Your focus will be on exploring how different conduction modelling approaches can be combined into a single framework. This work contributes to improving the accuracy and efficiency of fire simulations, which are used to assess ship safety and design

During this internship, you will work on the development of a hybrid approach for modelling heat conduction due to fire in ship structures. The aim is to understand when a simplified model is sufficient and when a more detailed model is required, and how to switch between these approaches without introducing large errors.

In practice, your work may include:

• Studying existing methods for modelling heat conduction, including average (lumped) temperature models and finite difference approaches
• Comparing the behaviour of these methods under different conditions, such as constant temperatures or highly fluctuating temperatures
• Identifying situations where detailed temperature distributions are important
• Developing criteria that determine when to switch between modelling approaches
• Implementing and testing a prototype model (i.e. in Python)
• Evaluating the impact of the approach on both accuracy and computational performance

You will be part of an ongoing project on fire modelling for ships, and your work will contribute to improving simulation tools used in practice. At the same time, there is flexibility to further shape the assignment based on your interests and ideas.

During the internship, you will gain experience with heat transfer modelling, numerical methods, and translating physical insight into computational models.

We are looking for a motivated student who is interested in combining physics and modelling.

A suitable profile could include:

• A Master’s student in mechanical engineering, civil engineering, applied physics, applied mathematics or a related field
• Basic understanding of heat transfer (conduction) and interest in physical modelling
• Some experience with programming (for example Python)
• Interest in fire modelling
• Interest in numerical methods and simulation

The duration of the internship is typically 6–9 months, but this is flexible and can be aligned with your study requirements. There is ample room to learn during the internship, and prior experience with fire modelling and numerical methods is not required. We aim to provide guidance and a supportive environment where you can develop both your technical and professional skills.

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.