Internship: AI/ML Applications for Materials Science and Electron Microscopy

Description

You will join the AI Applications team in the R&D group in Eindhoven as an intern, exploring how artificial intelligence and machine learning can make electron microscopy workflows for materials science more effective.

The focus areas are intelligent acquisition, microscope navigation, image analysis and workflow optimisation.

You get hands-on access to modern electron microscopes and large experimental datasets, so you can test your ideas on real scientific problems and measure their results.

The project is shaped with the team and fitted to your background, interests and learning goals.

Possible directions include ML methods that correct stage positioning errors, AI-assisted sample tilt and alignment using several images, neural networks that use HAADF images to predict or denoise EDX spectra and elemental maps, and automated segmentation that helps guide acquisition decisions.

The work combines machine learning, computer science and physics, and supports research into sustainable battery materials, next-generation semiconductors and life sciences such as new medicines.

Responsibilities

• Set a focused research question and project plan with your supervisors.
• Read relevant scientific literature and pick promising AI/ML approaches.
• Prepare and analyse experimental microscopy data.
• Build, implement and test algorithms for your chosen research direction.
• Work with microscopy and software colleagues to judge how well the methods perform and whether they can be used in practice.
• Write up your methods and results, then present your findings and recommendations to the team.

Requirements

• You are currently enrolled in a degree in physics, mathematics, informatics or computer science, electrical engineering, or a closely related field.
• You have a strong interest in physics, materials science and AI/ML.
• You have hands-on programming experience, preferably in Python.
• You have a basic grasp of machine learning and numerical or data-analysis methods.
• You think analytically and are willing to dig into open-ended scientific questions.
• You communicate well in written and spoken English.
• You want to work in a collaborative, interdisciplinary R&D setting.
• You can work on site regularly in Eindhoven and travel there throughout the internship.
• Experience with deep learning frameworks, image processing, electron microscopy or spectroscopy is welcome but not required; the project can be adjusted to what you already know.

Conditions

The standard schedule runs Monday to Friday.

The work is done in an office environment in Eindhoven, the Netherlands.

The internship starts from 1 October 2026 and runs until approximately April 2027.

Regular attendance on site in Eindhoven is required.

Internship compensation is provided.

Benefits

• You work in an inclusive, collaborative environment and learn from experienced researchers and developers.
• You gain practical experience where AI meets experimental science, with access to advanced microscopy equipment and real research data.
• Your tailored project builds your research and technical skills while contributing to tools that help scientists understand materials and improve their experiments.