Smart Assets, Circular Futures: Unlocking Lifecycle Value with Digital Twins
Your role in the story
Are you a final-year student interested in digital innovation, offshore engineering, and sustainability? Join Heerema and explore how digital technologies can transform the lifecycle of complex offshore equipment. In this graduation project, you will investigate how digital twins and material passports can improve asset performance, traceability, and circularity. By linking design data, operational history, and material information, digital tools could enable smarter maintenance, better lifecycle decisions, and higher-value reuse at end-of-life.
What’s the challenge
Offshore equipment has long lifetimes and complex operational histories, but information about materials, maintenance, and modifications is often fragmented. Digital solutions such as digital twins and material passports could help capture and manage this information throughout the asset lifecycle. The challenge is to explore how digital tools can support better performance, lifecycle management, and circular strategies for offshore equipment; from design to end-of-life.
Your mission & goals
Research questions
- How can digital twins improve the performance and lifecycle management of offshore equipment?
- What information is required to create effective material passports for offshore assets?
- How can digital asset data enable circular strategies such as reuse, refurbishment, or repurposing at end-of-life?
Technical challenges to be explored
- Mapping lifecycle data requirements of offshore equipment
- Identifying how digital tools can improve asset performance and traceability
- Translating digital concepts into practical circular asset management strategies
Tangible deliverables
- Graduation thesis report (30–50 pages)
- Concept framework for digital circular asset management
- Summary infographic or lifecycle flow diagram
- Final presentation / thesis defense
What you’ll gain
- Experience with digitalization in offshore engineering
- Insight into asset lifecycle management and circular economy
- Exposure to digital twins, asset data platforms, and material traceability
- Collaboration with engineering and sustainability experts
Is this you?
Field of study: MSc or BSc Mechanical, Civil, Maritime, Offshore, or Industrial Engineering
Interest in: Digitalization, asset management, sustainability, circular economy
Language: English required, Dutch is a plus
Mindset: Analytical, curious, and eager to explore innovative solutions
Practical Information
Start date: September 2026, flexible upon agreement
Duration: 6-9 months
Location: Leiden office
What we offer
- A challenging and meaningful assignment aligned with your study goals;
- Guidance from senior engineers and project leads;
- An innovative work environment with access to cutting-edge tools and infrastructure;
- A monthly internship allowance;
- Opportunities for future career steps within our company (internship as a stepping stone).
Ready to work with impact? Apply now and take the first step toward your offshore engineering career!
We are looking forward to hearing from you. We are interested in your CV, but we mainly want to find out more about your ambitions, your personality, and what is your motivation to succeed. So be sure to include a brief cover letter explaining why you are the perfect fit for this internship!
Hit the button, apply, and make the impossible possible with Heerema. We’d love to meet you!