Research Software Engineer Geoscience Utrecht

About this position

Do you want to develop software that helps address societal challenges related to the energy transition, sustainable subsurface use, and management of geological hazards? To strengthen our Geomechanics team, we are looking for a Research Software Engineer in Geosciences. In this role, you will work with experts across the Geological Survey of the Netherlands to develop software tools that support research, advice and decision-making in the fields of geothermal energy, subsurface energy storage, subsidence, and induced seismicity.

You will combine your software engineering expertise with a sound understanding of Earth sciences to create robust, user-friendly, and maintainable solutions for a wide range of geoscientific applications. Working on European research projects, national programs, and business-to-business projects, you will help translate scientific ideas and requirements into practical software tools that are used by researchers, project teams, and clients.

What will be your role?

As a Research Software Engineer in Geosciences, you will work on multidisciplinary geoscience projects together with researchers and software developers from different teams within the Geological Survey of the Netherlands. You will be based in the Geomechanics team of the Geo Science & Technology department and collaborate with experts who use software and computational tools in a wide range of Earth science applications.

Your primary focus will be the development, maintenance, and improvement of software tools that support geoscientific research and subsurface evaluation. You will translate scientific and technical requirements into robust, scalable, and well-documented software solutions. These tools should be intuitive, maintainable, and suitable for use both within and outside TNO.

You will contribute to projects related to geothermal energy, subsurface energy storage, subsidence, and induced seismicity. Working closely with geoscientists and fellow software developers, you will help improve existing tools, implement new functionality, and apply modern software development practices to scientific applications.

Reporting and presenting your work to colleagues, project partners, and clients will be an important part of the role, as will contributing to technical documentation and scientific publications.

Key responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and improve software tools for geoscience and subsurface applications.
• Design and implement scalable, reusable, and well-documented code.
• Translate scientific and technical requirements into robust and user-friendly software solutions.
• Improve and automate existing workflows and software tools used in research and consultancy projects.
• Collaborate with geoscientists, software engineers, and project partners in multidisciplinary teams.
• Contribute to software quality through testing, version control, documentation, and code reviews.
• Support the integration of modern technologies and approaches in scientific software development.
• Present results and software developments through reports, presentations, and technical documentation.
• Contribute to scientific publications and dissemination of research outcomes where relevant.

What we expect from you

You enjoy working in multidisciplinary project teams and are motivated by combining software development with scientific research and real-world applications. You are curious, proactive, and enjoy tackling complex technical challenges together with domain experts.

You will work closely with geoscientists, software engineers, and other specialists on a diverse portfolio of projects. Alongside software development, you will contribute to reporting, presentations, and technical documentation. You enjoy working in an applied scientific environment and are able to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

As you will collaborate with international colleagues and partners, you are able to communicate effectively in English.

What else do you bring?

• An MSc or PhD in Earth Sciences, Geosciences, Geophysics, or a related discipline.
• Strong coding, analytical, and problem-solving skills, including proven interest in and experience with object-oriented programming, preferably in Python and/or Java.
• Experience developing clear, maintainable, and well-documented software for scientific or technical applications.
• Affinity with scientific computing and the application of software solutions to geoscientific problems.
• Experience with machine learning techniques, parallel computing, databases, APIs, and web development is considered an advantage.
• Ability to work independently, responsibly, in a results-driven manner, with a proactive attitude and willingness to learn and explore new technologies.
• Ability to write high-quality technical documentation, reports, and scientific publications.
• Good communication and presentation skills.
• Interest in both research and business-to-business consultancy projects.

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 € 4,800 and € 6,800 (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.
• 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 25th of October 2026 The selection process comprises two interview rounds. The preliminary interview takes place on the 2nd of November 2026. The second interview round has been scheduled for the 5th of November 2026. 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 Conduct (VOG) is required before starting a new job at TNO.