R&D Circular Economy Intern

In a nutshell

Shape the future of sustainable mobility by driving circular economy strategy analyze materials, build data tools, and support next-gen vehicle sustainability innovation at Toyota 

Company Information

Toyota is one of the world’s largest automobile manufacturers and a leading global company, founded in 1937. Today, Toyota sells vehicles in 170 countries and employs over 350,000 people worldwide.At Toyota Motor Europe (TME), with our headquarters based in Brussels, Belgium, around 2,700 colleagues from more than 60 nationalities work together across Europe. We are responsible for the wholesale marketing of Toyota and Lexus vehicles, parts and accessories, and we support Toyota’s European R&D, manufacturing, and engineering operations.We are on an exciting journey as we continue to evolve into a mobility company. Our goal is to create even more value and happiness for our customers through a wide range of mobility solutions.

Your team and your responsibilities

Team/division description

R&D3 - Technology Strategy Planning Division

The Technology Strategy & Planning Division (TSP) is responsible for European R&D strategy, digitalization planning, Circular Economy (CE) and Carbon Neutrality strategy, and leads advocacy on Battery LCA, End‑of‑Life Vehicle (ELV) regulations, and and the evolving regulatory landscape related to vehicle circularity.

In the area of Circular Economy, TSP defines and leads the global R&D CE strategy, linking material roadmaps to parts and vehicle development. The division proposes future vehicle circularity targets that incorporate technological trends, regulatory evolution, and cost‑efficiency considerations. TSP also develops the processes and tools needed to track progress and support the achievement of these targets throughout the product lifecycle.

Your project

During your internship, you will support the Circular Economy (CE) team within the Technology Strategy & Planning Division on the following key activities:

• Build a comprehensive Circular Economy database for mass‑production and future parts, including material breakdown, recycled content, cost, and production conditions.

• Improve and maintain an IT Tool used for Circular Economy recycled‑content scenario planning for future vehicles. This includes enhancing data on recycled content per material, cost impacts, feedstock availability, and other key parameters. The goal is to enable flexible, accurate scenario modelling that can be quickly adjusted based on changing forecasts and market conditions.

• Investigate new and innovative technologies that can enhance circular economy performance in automotive parts and vehicles. Analyse notable circular economy advancements from the automotive sector and other industries, and assess their relevance to upcoming EU sustainability legislation.

Want to know more about how it is to work at Toyota? Check-out Working at Toyota Motor Europe Or Meet the people working at Toyota Motor Europe

Your Profile

• You are a student in higher education with at least two years of completed study, ideally in Engineering Science, Business Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Materials Engineering.
• You are fluent in English (spoken, written, and reading); proficiency in additional languages is a strong asset.
• You have an open, proactive personality and are comfortable working independently within a multi-cultural, international business environment.
• You have a genuine passion for innovation and for creating value for customers.
• Sustainability mindset: Coursework or experience related to sustainability and/or the circular economy is considered a strong plus.
• Digital competence: Strong Excel and Power BI skills for technical data analysis and reporting; basic coding experience (Python) is a strong asset.

Starting date

•  Flexible start date 

Duration

•  6 months

Confidentiality

Due to business requirement, not all performed projects can be reflected in the internship report. This issue needs to be discussed with candidate/school in advance.

It is mandatory that applicants are students for the entire period of the internship.

We can only accept students with an EEA or Swiss citizenship (not requiring a work permit or visa to be eligible to perform an internship in Belgium)

We offer

We offer a dynamic multicultural work environment with broad opportunities to learn every day and exciting career pathways that help you explore different disciplines or areas of expertise.

Your benefits

• Flexible working hours and hybrid working (homeworking, 10 days from abroad);
• Company restaurant – Warm dishes, salads and desserts daily, including Japanese and traditional Belgian specialties, as well as a vegan/vegetarian option;
• Sport facilities – Tennis, squash, volleyball, football and softball pitches are available at various Toyota sites;
• Team building activities and other personnel related events;
• Programs to support your physical and social well-being.

A truly diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace

At Toyota Motor Europe, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities for everyone. Our recruitment decisions are based on everyone’s skills, experience, and the requirements of the role.We welcome people of all backgrounds, including different nationalities, sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, ages, religions, ethnicities, abilities, and other personal characteristics. We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment. We believe that our individual experiences and diverse perspectives are a key strength, helping us learn from one another and grow together.Together, we can make a positive impact and go beyond the ordinary.If you need any adjustments or specific support during the recruitment or interview process, for any reason, we encourage you to let your recruiter know. We are happy to help create a process that works for you.