Internship | Materials for Electrocatalytic CO₂ Conversion

About this position

How can we design electrode materials that convert CO₂ into valuable products efficiently and remain stable during operation?

In this internship, you will investigate copper based catalyst layers and porous electrodes for the electrochemical production of ethylene, an important building block for fuels and chemicals.

You will join TNO’s Materials Solutions team in Eindhoven and work at the interface of materials science, electrochemistry and sustainable technology. Your focus will be on how material composition, microstructure and interfaces influence electrode performance. The assignment combines hands on materials preparation, electrochemical testing, characterisation and scientific analysis.

You will work in a collaborative research environment where questions and new ideas are welcome. We value different perspectives and want everyone to feel able to be themselves at work, regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, cultural background, disability, neurodivergence, religion or any other aspect of identity.

What will be your role?

Your central research question will be: how do the composition, fabrication and structure of copper based electrodes affect CO₂ reduction to ethylene?

Together with your supervisors, you will refine the scope according to the project needs and your learning goals.

Your activities may include:

• Reviewing scientific literature on catalyst layers, ionomers, gas diffusion electrodes and membrane electrode assemblies
• Formulating catalyst inks and fabricating porous electrodes using techniques such as spray coating or doctor blading
• Varying material parameters such as catalyst loading, ionomer content, additives, porosity and layer thickness
• Characterising the resulting materials and electrodes using available microscopy, surface or structural methods
• Assembling membrane electrode assemblies and testing them in electrochemical CO₂ reduction experiments
• Relating material properties and electrode microstructure to selectivity, efficiency and stability
• Analysing data, discussing results with colleagues, and presenting your conclusions and recommendations

By the end of the internship, you will have developed practical experience in electrode fabrication, materials characterisation, electrochemical testing and structure–performance analysis. Your main deliverables will be a documented experimental dataset, a materials design assessment and a final report or thesis.

Throughout your internship, you will collaborate closely with colleagues, discuss your progress, and contribute ideas for improvements and new experiments. You will conclude your internship by delivering a clear report and presenting your key findings.

What we expect from you

• • You are enrolled in a master’s programme in materials science, materials chemistry, nanotechnology, electrochemistry or a closely related field. Students in chemical engineering or chemistry are also welcome when their studies have a clear focus on functional materials, interfaces or electrochemical materials.
  • Your main interest is in preparing and understanding functional materials, interfaces and porous electrodes
  • You enjoy experimental laboratory work and careful data analysis
  • Some experience with electrode fabrication, coatings, microscopy, electrochemistry or materials characterisation is helpful, but we do not expect you to know every technique before you start
  • You are curious, thoughtful and comfortable asking questions, sharing ideas and learning with others
  • You can communicate your work clearly in English
  • You are available for approximately six months and remain enrolled at an educational institution throughout the internship. Please mention your preferred start date and availability in your application

  Research experience can take many forms. If this topic excites you but you do not meet every preferred criterion, we still encourage you to apply. We are interested in your motivation, learning goals and the perspective you would bring to the team.

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 5th of August, 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.