Internship | Literature review on coping strategies in late adolescence and young adults

About this position This internship, starting from October, focuses on a scoping review on coping strategies in late adolescence and young adult which will directly inform stakeholders in the Ministery of Defense how young military personal can be best selected and supported during training and work. You will be part of an environment where curiosity is encouraged, ideas are welcomed, and you have the space to develop your expertise.

What will be your role? This internship is part of TNO's Next Gen Mental Resilience (MENS) program, which investigates how young military personnel develop resilience and perform under pressure in a rapidly changing military environment. The program aims to generate scientific knowledge that helps the Netherlands Ministry of Defence optimize the selection, training, preparation, and support of future military personnel, with a particular focus on strengthening mental resilience and sustainable performance.

As an intern and part of the MENS team, you will contribute directly to research that supports the future of the Dutch armed forces. The primary focus of the internship will be a large scoping review on coping and emotion regulation among adolescents and young adults. Beyond the review process itself, you will actively contribute to discussions on how coping and emotion regulation can be conceptualized, measured, and strengthened in young adults, and how scientific insights can be translated into practical applications. The insights generated by this review will contribute to future training, education, and support initiatives aimed at helping military personnel perform and remain resilient under pressure.

Your activities may include:

• Extracting and organizing data from scientific articles.
• Contributing to the synthesis and interpretation of research findings.
• Identifying patterns in coping and emotion regulation research.
• Discussing findings with researchers and stakeholders to translate results into practical implications for the Netherlands Ministry of Defence and the broader workforce.
• Exploring how coping and resilience skills are currently taught, trained, and applied within the Dutch military in other projects within the MENS program.
• Opportunity to co-author a scientific publication

There may be opportunities to align the internship with a Master's thesis, depending on university requirements and project needs.

What we expect from you We are looking for a student who enjoys reading scientific literature, has an eye for detail, and is genuinely interested in understanding how young people cope with stress and challenges.

In addition, you have:

• A relevant background, such as Psychology, Educational Sciences, Pedagogical Sciences, Health Sciences, or a related field (current Master or finished Bachelor degree).
• A strong interest in mental health, coping, and emotion regulation.
• Basic research skills (i.e., analytical/critical thinking, and writing skills),
• A proactive attitude and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Very good command of English; Dutch proficiency is an advantage.
• An affinity with the safety, security, or defence domain is considered a plus.

What can you expect from your work environment?

You will join the Learning & Workforce Development department at TNO in Soesterberg. You will work alongside researchers from diverse backgrounds, including psychology, educational sciences, neuroscientists and human performance research.

During your internship, you will gain hands-on experience conducting a large-scale scientific review, collaborating with experienced researchers, and working on questions that are directly relevant to the future of the Dutch armed forces and the broader workforce. You will have the opportunity to contribute to research with societal impact while developing your own research and professional skills in a supportive and collaborative environment.

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 9th of September, 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:

  • you are enrolled at the educational institution for the duration of the internship, and;

  • 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. Has this job opening sparked your interest?

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Then we’d like to hear from you! Please contact us for more information about the job or the selection process. To apply, please upload your CV and covering letter using the ‘