Researcher on driving behavior, traffic safety, and Automated Driving | Helmond

The TNO Integrated Vehicle Safety (IVS) department in Helmond, part of the Mobility & Built Environment Unit, works on societal challenges in the field of mobility and transport. We focus on reducing traffic casualties and creating new concepts for automated driving. When you join us, you will join an inspiring international team of experts with expertise in safety assessment, artificial intelligence, control engineering, world modelling, motion planning and human factors, working both nationally and internationally, for industry and public parties. To ensure that automated driving is introduced on public roads in a safe and responsible way, it is essential that automated driving functions can handle all situations encountered on the road. In particular, automated vehicles should drive in a way that is predictable and acceptable to human road users, because they will share the roads for years to come. That is, automated vehicles should display good roadmanship and driving skills, including what it takes to interact safely and acceptably with other road users. To do this, TNO IVS has developed a novel methodology that enables us to extract models and requirements for acceptable driving behavior from naturalistic driving data. In turn, these can be used to assess whether the driving skills of a given automated vehicle are acceptable or not according to a particular driving population (driving skills that work well in one country may not do so in another). TNO IVS is contributing to policy making with the Dutch ministry, the Dutch type approval body RDW and the European Partners in Connected, Cooperative & Automated Mobility (CCAM). TNO IVS is also involved in consumer testing through Euro NCAP. In this way, we contribute to policy, testing and creating technical proof of concepts to accelerate the safe adoption of automated driving.

You will be part of the StreetProof team. Your main job will be to process and analyze data from naturalistic driving studies and develop models of human driving, including decision making and vehicle operation. The models will using both in traffic and driving simulators and to created assessment methods for automated driving functions. You will be involved in designing new data collection studies, as well as in developing requirements for acceptable driving of automated vehicles. You work in projects for the Dutch Road Authorities and the government, to support them with knowledge on how to assess roadmanship in automated vehicles. You will also play a role in the acquisition of new projects on monitored deployment, that is, on technologies to monitor the driving behavior and safety of automated vehicles that have already joined traffic. You will also support us in drafting new EU proposals under the Horizon EU framework.

Technical skills:

• 2 to 4 years of work experience after graduating from a PhD program (traffic and/or driving modelling, civil engineering, human factors)
• Scientific/research orientation (demonstrated by (co)authorship of research articles)
• Knowledge of traffic and driving modeling
• Knowledge of data processing and analysis (programming, statistics)
• Knowledge of vehicle automation
• Bonus: knowledge of human factors and human-machine cooperation, programing of traffic simulations in AIMSUN or VISSIM
• (Inter)Personal skills:
• Proficient use of English, both written and spoken
• Affinity for conceptualization: Capable of independent work, defining his/her own path from open problems to concrete solution
• Affinity for talking to customers and other stakeholders to understand their needs.
• Affinity interdisciplinary collaboration within Integrated Vehicle Safety but also with other departments within TNO.
• Capable of leading small groups of colleagues.
• Team player, group oriented
• Good social and presentation skills

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 € 4.100,- and € 6.000,- (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.
• 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.
• 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 parttime (32 of 36 hours) and the possibility of working from home.
• Extensive relocation package for international candidates.
• A good pension scheme.

Read more about tailoring your benefits package.

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. Read more about TNO as an employer.

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. Want to know more? Read what steps we are taking in the area of diversity and inclusion.

Please apply before the 17th of June, 2023. The selection process comprises two interview rounds. In a final meeting we will discuss the terms of employment and your tailored benefits package. We aim to finalize the entire process within four weeks.

The selection process may include an online assessment and a reference check.

A certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) is required before starting a new job at TNO.