Physics | Mathematics internship: exploring new machine learning

Introduction
The Wafer Alignment team works at the heart of ASML’s lithography technology. The group develops methods that help our systems position wafers with extreme accuracy. As system complexity grows, new challenges emerge in alignment performance, diagnostics, and prediction. This internship explores how machine learning can support these future needs. You will help discover data‑driven opportunities that strengthen alignment strategies for next‑generation lithography.

Your assignment
In this internship you will explore and prototype new machine learning approaches for wafer alignment. The assignment is open‑ended and allows you to shape the direction of the research. You will work closely with domain experts and gain insight into a highly technical environment. Your main responsibilities will be:

• Learn the alignment domain and understand key concepts such as models, mark behavior, measurement noise, and overlay.

• Analyze data, workflows, and current challenges in alignment processes.

• Identify where machine learning can add value in prediction, optimization, or anomaly detection.

• Define a clear problem statement based on your findings.

• Research and prototype advanced machine learning methods such as probabilistic modeling or reinforcement learning.

This is a bachelors/master’s (thesis )internship for a min 6 months but

preferably 9 months , 4–5 days per week (at least 2 days on‑site). The start date of this internship is September 2026.

Your profile
To be suitable for the internship, you:

• Are a bachelors/master’s student in physics, mathematics, or another quantitative field with experience in machine learning.

• Have strong analytical skills and experience with Python or MATLAB.

• Are comfortable working in an exploratory research environment.

• Are curious, proactive, and motivated to learn about complex technical systems.

• Communicate clearly and work well with experts from different backgrounds

Other requirements you need to meet:

• You are enrolled at an educational institute for the entire duration of the internship;

• Attach your cover letter with a clear motivation why you are interested in this internship assignment in particular;

• You need to be located in the Netherlands to be perform your internship. In case you are currently living/studying outside of the Netherlands, your CV/motivation letter includes the willingness to relocate.

• If you are a non-EU citizen, studying in the Netherlands, your university is willing to sign the documents relevant for doing an internship (i.e., Nuffic agreement).

Inclusion and diversity

ASML is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that inclusion and diversity is a driving force in the success of our company.

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