Consultant Biobased Construction Materials

Want to leave your mark on our time? Come work at TNO as a Consultant Biobased Construction Materials in Delft!

About this position

Do you want to play a key role in the development and upscaling of biobased construction materials (excluding wood)? Do you have the knowledge and insight to translate research results into concrete product innovations and adjustments to production processes? Then the position of Consultant Biobased Construction Materials at TNO is ideal for you.

What will be your role?

As a Consultant Biobased Construction Materials, you work at the intersection of materials research, product development, and industrial application. You not only investigate the physical and mechanical properties of biobased construction materials, but also translate this knowledge into:

• Functional product designs for the construction sector.
• Optimizations of production processes (e.g. pressing, drying, bonding, extrusion, forming).
• Adjustments to machinery so that manufacturers can produce new biobased materials efficiently, safely, and at scale.

Your activities include, among others:

• Characterizing biobased materials (excluding wood) (strength, moisture behavior, thermal properties, degradation).
• Investigating how variation in raw materials and binders affects product quality and production stability.
• Translating material data into design guidelines for new products.
• Advising on required process conditions and machine settings (temperature, pressure, speed, moisture content).
• Collaborating with manufacturers to optimize prototype lines and enable upscaling.
• Testing products against standards, regulations, and performance requirements.
• Conducting laboratory and field experiments to validate product behavior under real-world conditions.

You move seamlessly between laboratories, pilot setups, factories, engineering teams, and knowledge partners. You ensure that knowledge is translated into concrete, manufacturable, and scalable biobased products. You have experience with IP-related issues, particularly regarding (biobased) adhesives, additives, and production processes.

Why this role is unique

• You build bridges between research, material development, and industrial production challenges.
• You work with state-of-the-art laboratories as well as practice-oriented pilot installations.
• You have direct impact on the manufacturability, reliability, and market introduction of biobased construction products.
• You work within a growing multidisciplinary team accelerating the biobased transition in the Netherlands.
• You have access to a broad network of manufacturers, construction producers, policymakers, and researchers.

What we expect from you

You are analytically strong, practically minded, and able to switch between material science and process engineering. You have demonstrable experience in solving technical challenges in production lines and in translating material behavior into manufacturable biobased construction products.

In addition, you have:

• A completed MSc degree in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a comparable field.
• At least five years of experience in materials research, product development, or process optimization.
• Knowledge of the physical and mechanical properties of biobased materials.
• Experience with laboratory testing and preferably pilot or production environments.
• Understanding of production processes such as pressing, drying, extrusion, composite forming, or panel production.
• Strong communication skills in Dutch (at least B2 level) and English.
• Motivation to share knowledge through reports, publications, or interaction with the market.

Ambition to grow into an expert in biobased production processes? Then TNO is the right place for you.

What you'll get in return

Challenging and varied work with a real impact. And plenty of opportunities as, at TNO, you are in charge of shaping your career. We offer a gross monthly salary between € 4,600 and € 6,700 (based on your knowledge and experience), 8% holiday pay, a 13th month bonus of 8.33% and a flex budget (5.58% + € 180). In addition, you will be given every opportunity to develop yourself.

TNO offers optional employee benefits, enabling you to tailor your benefits package to match your personal situation. You may also expect:

• An extremely professional, innovative working environment where colleagues are leading experts in their field.
• The opportunity to attend courses, workshops and conferences, and to receive training and coaching based on your needs.
• 33 days annual leave on a full-time basis.
• Flexible working hours, the possibility to work parttime (32 of 36 hours) and the possibility of working from home.
• A good pension scheme.

TNO as an employer

At TNO, we innovate for a healthier, safer and more sustainable life. And for a strong economy. There is all the space and support for your talent and ambition. You work with people who will challenge you: who inspire you and want to learn from you. Our state-of-the-art facilities are there to realize your vision. What you do at TNO matters: impact makes the difference. Because with every innovation you contribute to tomorrow’s world.