Internship: Nanomaterial Deposition Advanced Gas Sensor

Job description

VSPARTICLE (VSP) is an ambitious nanotechnology company that is on a mission to change the world of material development. For the development of clean energy and breakthrough applications, millions of new materials need to be explored.

VSP develops cutting‑edge technology that unlocks and accelerates the discovery of novel materials with advanced properties—materials that can contribute to solving some of the world’s biggest challenges in green hydrogen, gas sensing and batteries.

We are offering an internship opportunity focused on the development of nanostructured sensing materials for next‑generation gas sensor technologies, in collaboration with VSParticle B.V., a leader in spark ablation‑based nanomaterial synthesis and deposition.

This internship provides hands‑on experience with a state‑of‑the‑art material fabrication technique and its application in emerging sensing technologies for health, environmental, and smart‑device applications.

Gas sensors for health and environmental monitoring require highly sensitive, selective, and stable sensing layers. One promising approach is the use of nano‑porous materials with high surface area and controlled composition.

In this project, you will work with VSParticle’s spark ablation deposition technology, a solvent‑free method enabling the fabrication of high‑purity nanomaterials directly onto sensor substrates. You will contribute to the development and optimization of these materials for use in MEMS‑based gas sensors, targeting applications such as:

• Non‑invasive health monitoring (e.g., detection of VOC biomarkers)
• Indoor air quality sensing
• Smart home and wearable systems

During the internship, you will:

• Perform nanomaterial deposition using VSParticle (spark ablation) equipment
• Develop and optimize nano‑porous thin films (e.g., metal oxides or composite materials)
• Characterize material properties such as morphology, composition, and structure
• Analyze and document experimental results
• Collaborate with researchers and engineers on sensor integration and performance evaluation
• Participate in measurement campaigns at partner sites, including potential travel to collaborators in Germany for electrical characterization and sensor validation.

We are looking for a motivated student with:

• Ongoing Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Materials Science, Nanotechnology, Physics, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field
• Strong interest in nanomaterials, thin‑film processing, or sensor technology
• Hands‑on, experimental mindset and willingness to work in a lab environment
• Basic knowledge of material characterization techniques
• Willingness to occasionally travel for experimental work and collaboration
• Good communication skills in English

• Trainee allowance of €450 per month
• Traineeship for 6‑9 months
• Hands‑on experience with advanced nanomaterial deposition technology (VSParticle)
• Exposure to real‑world applications in sensor development
• Opportunity to collaborate with international research and industrial partners
• Potential for short research visits abroad (Germany) within the project scope
• A collaborative environment at the intersection of materials science and engineering
• Mentorship from experienced researchers and engineers

If VSParticle and this traineeship excite you, we encourage you to apply via our career site. Questions before applying? Want to chat more about VSP and the traineeship? Reach out to our People & Culture Manager, Astrid van Doorn – 088‑3080416