Internship: New grass valorization concepts

JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

At Lely this internship focuses on grass valorization concepts and separation technologies. You’ll run lab and pilot experiments to refine a refining concept and translate results into practical improvements within a collaborative team. Ideal candidates study HBO or WO in Food Technology, Chemical Engineering, or a related field with affinity for separation and process development; you are proactive, eager to own your work, and able to collaborate across disciplines. Start August or September for 4 months at 40 hours weekly; fluent English is required, Dutch a plus. Perks include €650/month, campus facilities, housing, shuttle, and international environment. Tips: highlight lab or process projects and any farm work with clear results.

Company Description

A sustainable, profitable, and enjoyable future for dairy farmers by combining robotization, engineering, and farming expertise. This is what we believe in. 

This journey began over 75 years ago with the dream of two brothers in Maassluis. Since then, we have become an innovative global leader in automated systems for dairy farmers worldwide. With 2,300 specialized professionals, we continuously work on new agricultural revolutions. We still do this from our Campus in Maassluis, the building with the highest achievable sustainability standards in the Netherlands, while also operating around the world. Our goal is to ensure that dairy farming remains attractive for future generations. 

Job Description

At Lely, we are constantly developing innovative solutions that contribute to more sustainable dairy farming. In our Innovation department, the focus is on developing new products that truly make an impact on the farm. We look beyond the cow! Would you, as a student, like to contribute to this mission and apply your knowledge in practice? Then this internship is interesting for you!   

In this internship, you focus on developing new concepts to extract and upgrade fractions from grass. You work with separation technology in a completely different context: not in large factories, but at autonomous farm scale. This requires a fresh mindset and a hands-on approach. 

You will be part of an enthusiastic and forward-thinking team where you get the space to experiment, learn and contribute to real innovations. 

Key responsibilities include: 

• Performing experiments on lab and pilot scale to improve our refining concept 
• Exploring separation technologies applied at farm scale 
• Supporting the development of new grass valorization concepts 
• Analyzing results and translating them into practical improvements 
• Collaborating with colleagues from different disciplines 

Practical information 

• This is an educational or graduation assignment (both possible)  
• Start date: August or September  
• You are available for at least 4 months (longer is always possible) for 40 hours per week 

Qualifications

You are an enthusiastic student who enjoys combining theory with practice. You like to take initiative, try new things and actively contribute to innovation. You are studying HBO or WO Food Technology, (Bio)Chemical Engineering or a comparable study. 

Additionally, you bring: 

• You have affinity with separation technology, process development or food technology 
• You are proactive, hands-on and not afraid to ask questions 
• You enjoy working in a team while also taking ownership of your work 
• You are fluent in English and proficiency in Dutch is a plus. 

Additional Information

At Lely, we offer you an educational and dynamic internship experience at one of the most innovative organizations in the Netherlands. You’ll become part of a driven team and have plenty of opportunities to further develop your talents. 

• An international working environment 
• An internship allowance of €650 per month based on a 40-hour work week 
• A student apartment if your commute is too long 
• Our modern Lely Campus gives you daily access to extensive sports facilities: an indoor gym, outdoor padel courts, a basketball and volleyball court, as well as table tennis and foosball. You can join Hyrox workouts or sign up for personal training – and challenge your colleagues during an active break. 
• Enjoy fresh coffee and tea from our in-house barista, made with milk straight from our farm, and a healthy, affordable company restaurant. 
• A free shuttle bus takes you to and from the metro station in Maassluis, ensuring your workday starts and ends smoothly. 
• We’re also proud that our dedication and vision have been recognized with the Rotterdam Entrepreneur Award 2025!