Internship | Innovation in Acoustics and Underwater Technology

Sound is everywhere. While it can sometimes be experienced as noise, it is also a powerful tool for understanding and interacting with the world around us. From reducing environmental noise and improving underwater communication to developing advanced ultrasound imaging technologies, acoustics plays an important role in solving real-world challenges.

At TNO, we work with governments, industry, and research partners to study, understand, and control acoustic phenomena. As an intern in our Acoustics & Underwater Warfare division, you will contribute to innovative research with direct societal impact while working alongside experts in a multidisciplinary team.

What will be your role?

As a member of our Acoustics & Underwater Warfare division, you get the opportunity to dive into exciting research for either the civil, defense, medical, or high-tech sector. Our research portfolio is extremely diverse and covers topics like noise control, acoustic sensor and sonar systems, or seabed security. Our broad range of research activities offers many exciting opportunities for internship projects.

Depending on your interests, background, and our ongoing projects, your internship may focus on one of the following areas:

1. Modeling and simulation:

• Simulating underwater sound propagation to assess impacts on marine ecosystems.
• Modeling environmental noise to support noise reduction strategies.
• Optimizing acoustic coatings to reduce the detectability of underwater platforms.

2. Designing measurement setups and conducting physical experiments:

• Designing and building measurement setups for vibration and acoustic analysis.
• Conducting experiments with guided waves to determine material and fluid properties.
• Investigating innovative flow measurement technologies.

3. Signal processing, Identification, classification, and AI:

• Developing AI methods for the detection and classification of sonar images, mines, and vessels.
• Analyzing acoustic measurements and simulation data.
• Applying modern signal-processing techniques to real-world datasets.

4. Operations research:

• Contributing to autonomy frameworks for underwater vehicles and maritime platforms.
• Investigating optimization and decision-support methods for safe maritime operations.

If the topics above resonate with you, you are very welcome to apply. It’s good to know that this is a general vacancy and that depending on our current work activities we can have different projects available. If you apply for the internship, we will discuss with you what concrete assignments we have at that given moment. Together we can finetune the assignment according to your interests and expertise.

What we expect from you

You are in the final phase of a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Physics, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Operations Research, or a related technical discipline.

You also:

• Have experience with Python, MATLAB, or similar tools.
• Enjoy solving complex technical problems.
• Are curious, proactive, and eager to learn.
• Communicate effectively and enjoy working in multidisciplinary teams.

To help us find a suitable assignment, please include:

• A short motivation letter (max. 350 words) including your preferred start and end date.
• Your CV, highlighting relevant courses, projects, programming experience, and technical 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.

The selection process

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.

For this internship vacancy it is required that the AIVD issues a security clearance (VGB) following a security screening. In any case, please note that this process has an average duration of approximately 8 weeks. If you have been abroad for more than 6 consecutive months, or if you do not have the Dutch nationality, this process may take longer. 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.