Graduation Internship | Recruitment, Retention and Advancement of Women in the Armed Forces

How can Defence attract, retain and promote more women? During this internship, you will contribute to a four-year research programme in which TNO investigates the factors that hinder or facilitate the recruitment, retention and career development of women within the Dutch Armed Forces.

You will be involved in two projects: Recognisable Armed Forces, which focuses on how recruitment, selection procedures and perceptions of the military influence the inflow of women, and Retention and Advancement, which examines the factors that help women remain within Defence and develop towards leadership positions.

You will work closely with TNO researchers and Defence stakeholders on research with direct societal and organisational relevance. You will have the opportunity to further develop your expertise while contributing your own ideas and insights. The primary focus of this internship is to conduct a scoping review of scientific and practice-oriented literature on the factors that hinder and facilitate the recruitment and newcomer socialisation of women (and men) within the Armed Forces, taking a systems perspective. Based on these insights, you will collaborate with Defence stakeholders to develop research plans aimed at exploring these themes in greater depth.

You will join the Learning & Workforce Development team. We work in multidisciplinary teams, value societal impact, and collaborate on topics such as workplace learning and development, workforce challenges, team dynamics, career development, and the human side of innovation.

What will be your role?

During this internship, you will support the research activities within the programme described above. The exact focus of your work will be aligned with the phase of the projects, your interests, and any requirements set by your educational programme.

Possible research activities include:

• Conducting scientific literature reviews on topics such as gender, recruitment, selection, inclusion, retention, and career development;
• Translating scientific insights into concrete research questions and research designs;
• Collaborating with TNO researchers and Defence stakeholders to develop and design research projects;
• Presenting your work during workshops, project meetings, and team sessions;
• Collecting quantitative and/or qualitative data through methods such as surveys, interviews, and focus groups;
• Analysing quantitative data using statistical methods;
• Analysing and interpreting qualitative research data;
• Conducting secondary analyses of existing Defence data that has not yet been examined from a gender perspective;
• Synthesising findings into reports, presentations, and briefing notes.

Throughout the internship, you will learn how scientific knowledge can be applied within a complex organisational environment and how research is developed in close collaboration with practice stakeholders. In addition, you will further develop your skills in research design, stakeholder management, data analysis, and scientific communication.

What we expect from you

For this internship, we are looking for a university (WO) Master’s student with a background in social psychology, work and organizational psychology, or a related field such as public administration, (innovation) management, sociology, behavioural economics, or design research.

You have an affinity with:

• Gender issues in the labour market;
• Diversity, equity and inclusion;
• Recruitment, selection and organizational attractiveness;
• Culture, leadership and career development;
• The security or defence context as a working environment.

You have basic skills in scientific research and preferably some experience with quantitative and/or qualitative research methods. Experience with statistical analyses, for example in R, SPSS or a similar program, is a plus.

We are looking for someone who works carefully and analytically, is curious, shows initiative, and is able to work both independently and as part of a team. You enjoy connecting scientific insights to practical questions and collaborating with researchers and stakeholders. Most importantly, you do not need to be able to do everything already, but you should be eager to learn.

The internship lasts at least six months and preferably starts no later than 1 February 2027. You will work in a hybrid setting, with Soesterberg as your main location. Proficiency in English is a plus; proficiency in Dutch is required (C1/C2 level). Of course, we can discuss how this internship can best fit your study and graduation requirements.

You will receive substantive supervision from senior researcher Dr. Ruth van Veelen. Daily supervision will be provided by Janice Odijk.

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.

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 17th of November, 2026. Interviews are scheduled to take place on the 15th of December, 2026 (subject to change). After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation 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.