Project Controller Energy and Materials Transition

About this position

As a Project Controller within TNO’s Energy and Materials Transition (EMT) unit, you contribute to innovations that help create a future-proof Netherlands. From sustainable energy systems to circular materials, every research project relies on a solid financial foundation. Thanks to your insights, project leaders and researchers can make well-informed decisions and ensure that impactful innovations remain financially sound and feasible.

What makes this role particularly interesting is that the field itself is evolving rapidly. Data-driven decision-making, digitalisation, and AI are playing an increasingly important role in project control. You will have the opportunity not only to follow these developments, but also to actively help shape them and contribute to the further professionalisation of the discipline within TNO. Moreover, TNO is an excellent environment to further expand your experience and expertise. We are committed to providing the right support and development opportunities to help make your future a success as well.

What will be your role?

As a Project Controller, you are responsible for the financial management and control of a diverse portfolio of innovative projects. You advise project leaders and research managers on financial risks, project performance, and the impact of decisions on timelines, resources, and budgets. You assess project proposals, cost calculations, quotations, and contracts, ensuring that projects remain financially controlled throughout their entire lifecycle. In addition, you actively contribute to the further digitalisation of the controlling profession within TNO and will have opportunities to participate in TNO-wide improvement initiatives focused on processes and management information.

You work closely with project leaders, researchers, and managers. In this role, you look beyond the numbers, focusing on the interdependencies between projects, their impact on the unit, and their contribution to TNO’s strategic objectives. You serve as a trusted advisor who translates financial insights into practical recommendations and helps colleagues make financially sound decisions.

Your primary location will be Rijswijk (Kessler Park). In addition, you are willing to work occasionally from other TNO locations, such as Utrecht and Petten. The EMT Control team consists of 9 Project Controllers, 2 Business Controllers, and a Unit Controller, and is spread across multiple locations in the Netherlands. As a result, collaboration and maintaining strong connections within the team are essential.

What we expect from you

We are looking for an entrepreneurial and proactive colleague with strong analytical skills, who can quickly distinguish between main and secondary issues and is confident in asking critical questions. You combine financial expertise with a pragmatic mindset and are able to translate advice into concrete actions. You are flexible, perform well under changing workloads, and can positively influence others from an independent position.

You build lasting relationships with ease and are able to establish trust with project leaders, researchers, and managers. Thanks to your organisational awareness and strong communication skills, you can guide stakeholders through financial topics and connect different interests. You have strong conceptual thinking skills, understand the links between projects, unit objectives, and TNO’s strategy, and thrive in an environment where innovation, digitalisation, data analytics, and AI are becoming increasingly important.

What you also bring:

• A completed Bachelor's or Master's degree in Finance, Business Economics, Controlling, or a related field;
• At least 2 years of experience in finance, controlling, project control, business control, or a comparable financial advisory role;
• The ability to interpret and assess contractual terms and financial documentation;
• An affinity with digitalisation, data-driven working, and emerging technologies that make the controlling profession smarter and more effective;
• Experience with SAP, Power BI, Generative AI, or Microsoft Power Automate is considered an advantage;
• Strong command of both Dutch (minimum C1 level) and English.

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 € 6,500 (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.
• 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 30th of September, 2026. 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. If you join TNO, we will also ask you to provide a Certificate of Conduct (VOG).