Senior Scientist Advanced Materials

About this position

Want to make your mark on our time? Become a Senior Scientist Advanced Materials at TNO in The Hague!

What will be your role?

As Senior Scientist, Advanced Materials, you will take the lead within the Advanced Materials team in developing and improving new material and protective concepts for high-dynamic loads such as impact – including ballistic impact – or explosions. An important objective, for example, is to develop more lightweight concepts for vehicles that optimise the relationship between protection and agility. Solutions can be found in the use of composite materials, among other options.

Together with our clients and partners in Defence and industry, you’ll work on the development and validation of new and existing materials and concepts to ensure that they can be deployed in practice. To this end, you are able to translate complex technological challenges from the outside world into relevant lines of research for the Advanced Materials team. By setting up and implementing new projects with national and international partners, you give substance to the research. In addition, you actively build relationships with partners from the defence sector, industry, and research institutions, and contribute to the visibility and positioning of TNO within the field.

Together with the team, you will deal with physics, numerical and other simulations, experiments and analyses. In doing so, you will develop an understanding of exactly what happens in an explosion or during bullet impact. For experimental work, TNO DSS has the unique Laboratory for Ballistic Research, where real shooting and explosions can take place. In addition, small and large experiments are regularly carried out by a special measurement team at outdoor test sites, both in the Netherlands and abroad. Naturally, you’ll carefully report on the results of the research.

Based on our knowledge of new and existing technologies, you will advise commissioning parties, including the Dutch Ministry of Defence and national and international companies, on innovations and current and future implementation of new materials and protection concepts and align internal and external strategic agendas.

What we expect from you

We are looking for an experienced and entrepreneurial colleague with an affinity for lightweight protection materials. You possess deep technical expertise in the field of advanced materials and are able to shape strategic directions based on that expertise, while demonstrating the value of TNO’s research to both internal and external stakeholders. You have an open and proactive attitude and possess consultancy skills that enable you to forge excellent links between TNO’s expertise in advanced materials and the intended applications in the field. You are curious and experienced in setting up new research proposals and implementing complex projects aimed at impactful results.

With your enthusiasm and focus on results, you are not afraid to go off the beaten track. You always keep the final practical application in mind. You are social and communicative, ensuring effective collaboration. You can easily adapt in a rapidly changing environment and are able to articulate complex concepts comprehensibly, for example for clients with a less technical background. You like to take charge, maintain an overview and take responsibility for the team result, the individual result and your own development.

Other knowledge and skills you bring to TNO:

• A completed university degree, preferably with a PhD in a relevant technical field, such as Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Materials Science.
• At least 10 years of experience within a relevant research or development environment and/or within the Defence context.
• Experience in setting up and implementing complex research and/or development projects.
• Knowledge of mechanics/dynamics of, for example, composite materials.
• Affinity for numerical techniques (especially FEM software).
• Experience in preparing and successfully conducting and supervising experimental research as part of a team.
• Excellent reporting skills, preferably demonstrated through scientific articles.
• A command of spoken and written Dutch and English, both at least at B1 level.

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 € 6,200 and € 8,800 (based on your knowledge and experience), 8% holiday pay, a 13^th 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 plus a flexible holiday that can be used on a cultural, religious, or otherwise important day of your choosing (on a full-time basis).
• An employer working towards a respectful, inclusive, and equitable work environment where every employee can flourish, with various initiatives such as Jong TNO, numerous expertise based guilds, Rainbow Community and Round Tables on diverse 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 or 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.

TNO as an employer

Our people are at the heart of TNO. Their curiosity, expertise and entrepreneurial mindset make it possible to deliver high-impact research and innovations that contribute to society’s sustainable wellbeing and prosperity. That is why we invest in an inspiring and inclusive working environment where colleagues can excel, have autonomy and continue to grow.

Your talent and ambition have every opportunity to flourish at TNO. You work with experts (both within and beyond TNO), have access to advanced technology and the freedom to explore, experiment and innovate. Our strength lies in independence, reliability and collaboration. We find each other in wonder and ingenuity. We are driven to push boundaries. By working with businesses and government, and by connecting different perspectives, we strengthen our innovative capability and create responsible, meaningful results.

At TNO, we believe this is our time to help society, government and business move forward faster. Together with driven colleagues, you turn knowledge into concrete innovations or ventures that truly make a difference by combining the power of science and entrepreneurship. And in doing so, you make your mark on our time.

The selection process

Please apply before the 28th of September, 2026. The selection process comprises two interview rounds. The preliminary interview takes place on the 13th of October, 2026. The second interview round is yet to be planned. 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.

As you will be working for clients in the domain of defence and security, a Certificate of No Objection issued by AIVD (the Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service) is mandatory. This means you will have to undergo a security screening. Read more about security screening.