Internship | PFAS Firefighting Foams

About this position

Pollution of the environment with per‑and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is a significant concern that has grown considerably in recent years. PFAS compounds are persistent and accumulate in microorganisms, animals, and humans. Many of these materials will be banned or severely restricted by governments in the future, but TNO has already been researching PFAS‑free solutions for several years.

In this project, you will develop PFAS‑free firefighting foam and learn about the physical and chemical processes of firefighting. Your work includes designing and testing firefighting formulations, performing physical and chemical analyses such as TGA, SEM, rheology, surface tension, and more, and studying the complex behavior that arises when combining nanomaterials, polymers, and surfactants in a foam. The experiments will be based on prior research and TNO’s innovative nanomaterials technology.

The internship lasts at least 4 months, with longer durations possible.

You are a proactive, pragmatic, and independent university or master’s student with a background in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering. Knowledge and affinity to physical chemistry is required, as is a hands‑on mentality. Experience with polymers and rheology is a plus. Good communication skills in English—particularly for presenting your work and writing reports—are expected. Depending on university requirements, the project can be combined with a master’s thesis.

An internship at TNO offers a professional working environment where you can discover your strengths, learn about real‑world research and practice, and build experience beyond this internship. You will receive:

• A professional and innovative internship environment with leading experts
• Personal and dedicated supervision focused on your learning objectives
• Room to develop: relevant work experience, subject‑specific and professional skills, and a valuable network
• Use of a laptop and necessary facilities
• A monthly internship allowance of €615 for a full‑time internship (MSc, BSc, and MBO students)
• Up to eight hours of leave per internship month for full‑time interns, allowing balance with 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: a network for young colleagues with sports activities, professional and personal development sessions, and social events such as the annual ski trip