Scientist Explosives Safety and Infrastructure Protection

Want to make your mark on our time? Become a Scientist at TNO in Ypenburg!

About this position

With our knowledge, models, and tests, we advise our clients, including the Dutch Ministry of Defense, the Police, and international companies, on the innovation and implementation of protection concepts. Our field of research is unique and professionally challenging. There is no educational background that truly prepares you for our work. We will introduce you to this unique field and provide you with all the knowledge you need. TNO is one of the few places in the world where this is possible!

What will be your role?

In projects, you will work with colleagues on modeling explosion effects and analyzing the safe storage, transshipment, and transport of ammunition and explosive substances. You will adapt existing models, allowing us to make better analyses. Ultimately, you and the team will provide our clients with the right advice. You will report this clearly and present it to the client so they can act on the advice.

Additionally, you will work on projects for the development of protection for buildings and critical infrastructure. The project team analyzes the relevant ballistic and explosion threats, and you will discuss with the client to establish the right requirements. Then, you will work with the team to create a design and analyze the construction to provide the right protection. The models map the protection level of the construction and/or (residual) risks. The resulting designs will also need to be validated, which we do in our own ballistic laboratory.

A brief overview of the topics you will mainly work on:

• Storage, transshipment, and transport of ammunition and explosive substances: the goal is to optimize safety, efficiency, and flexibility. You will conduct risk analyses of ammunition storage for Defense, improve existing effect, consequence, and probability models, work on new designs for ammunition storage, or provide advice for future safety policies;
• Protective structures in the military domain (force protection engineering). With new materials and techniques, such as 3D concrete printing and composites, you will take on the challenge of developing, analyzing, and testing better protection concepts;
• Designing, advising, and testing protection against ballistic and explosion threats for critical infrastructure (e.g., large mobility hubs, utilities).

You will work in the Personal Protection and Explosives Safety (PPES) department. This department focuses on developing and testing protection concepts for people and critical infrastructure against ballistic threats and explosions. Additionally, we work on the safe storage, transport, and transshipment of ammunition by developing innovative technologies, analyzing risks, and advising on measures.

We do this international work largely in the military domain and partly in the civilian domain. With our support, new protection technologies are developed that are ultimately deployed by our clients. Join our team and develop yourself in a unique and challenging environment!

What we expect from you

An ideal colleague for our team can collaborate well and quickly master new areas of knowledge. You are analytically strong and can combine information and knowledge from multiple areas. You can identify the core of a technical problem and then, alone or with others, come up with valuable solutions and designs for our clients' challenges. Additionally, you can explain technically complex topics in an understandable way. Furthermore, you bring:

• MSc or PhD in a technical field (e.g., Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Civil Engineering, etc.);
• Preferably a few years of work experience in a technical environment, but you are also welcome to apply if you have just graduated;
• Knowledge of at least one of the following subjects: structural design and analysis, safety engineering (HAZOP/HAZID, RI&E, QRA), numerical modeling (MATLAB, COMSOL, CFD, FEM, etc.), and/or system design and analysis (systems engineering);
• Experience with programming (C#, Python, MATLAB, etc.) is a plus;
• Experience with presenting and reporting results to clients.

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 € 3.400 and € 4.100 (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.

Perhaps you would like to grow your career in the direction of commerce or consultancy? Or would you like to become a project manager? Immerse yourself in sustainable innovations? Or carve out a career as a technical expert?

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.
• An employer that values and encourages diverse talent, with initiatives like the Female Leadership Program, our Rainbow Community and round tables on inclusion topics.
• We offer a comprehensive and flexible mobility plan that also includes full compensation for public transportation for commuting and business travel or a leased car.
• Great social events with your team and other TNO colleagues. That’s how you will get to know a lot of people really quickly.
• Flexible working hours, the possibility to work part-time (32 or 36 hours) and the possibility of working from home.
• Access to our Talent Development Programme.
• Networking opportunities and great activities organized by Jong TNO.
• 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. Since 1932, we have been making knowledge and technology available for the common good. We find each other in wonder and ingenuity. We are driven to push boundaries. 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.

At TNO we encourage an inclusive work environment, where you can be yourself. Whatever your story and whatever unique qualities you bring to the table. It is by combining our unique strengths and perspectives that we are able to develop innovations that make a real difference in society.

We are TNO: This is our time

This is the time for us to find innovative solutions that will make an impact. The time to lead the world in safety and security, make our lives healthier, and take sustainability to the next level.