Medior Researcher

About this position

Do you enjoy working with unique equipment and tackling a different challenge every day? Then the Reliable Structures laboratory team at the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) is the place for you! The Reliable Structures department focuses on understanding the structural behaviour of Dutch infrastructure. This knowledge is essential for keeping the Netherlands' infrastructure safe and affordable. With access to a well‑equipped laboratory, we combine practical experience with theoretical expertise.

This enables us to answer even the most complex research questions. Would you like to contribute to this work? Then read on!

As a Researcher in the Mechanical Test Hall at the Delft Building Innovation Lab, you will work in multidisciplinary teams on a wide range of national and international projects for various research groups. Some of these projects focus on research and the development of new, innovative knowledge. In addition, you will contribute to projects in which our expertise is directly applied for international clients in industry and government, including Rijkswaterstaat and the Ministry of Defence.

As a researcher, you play a key role in experimental work involving the measurement of loads and responses of materials and structures, combined with the operation and control of hydraulic and electromechanical actuators. You translate research questions into practical test methods. You design test setups, covering both the mechanical and instrumentation aspects. You build and install the setups, select suitable sensors, and calibrate the entire system.

Once everything is ready for testing, you execute the tests, install specimens, and control the applied loads. You log and monitor data throughout the process and ensure reliable, high‑quality results. At all times, you maintain a strong focus on safety during the execution of experiments. The measurements cover a variety of parameters, including acceleration, displacement, pressure, temperature, and force. These tests are aimed at assessing the dynamic behaviour and/or failure behaviour of a wide range of materials and structures.

• Performing tensile strength tests on sheet pile wall anchor rods
• Simulating and measuring the loads generated by a jumping crowd
• Determining the material properties of existing steel bridges
• Measuring the pull‑out forces of connection elements used in wind turbine blades

• You have at least a Bachelor's degree (HBO) in Applied Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or Electrical Engineering, with a strong affinity for structural mechanics as well as measurement technology and electronics.
• You have experience independently conducting experimental research and possess practical insight into the behaviour of structures and measurement equipment.
• You have demonstrable experience operating and controlling hydraulic tensile, compression, and fatigue testing machines, preferably from MTS.
• You are naturally curious and helpful, with a strong interest in complex experimental setups, hydraulics, sensors, measurement systems, data acquisition, and testing activities.
• You actively follow developments in the field and contribute ideas for the acquisition of new equipment.
• You work accurately and in a structured manner, and you take satisfaction in generating measurement results and sharing them with colleagues.
• In addition to technical knowledge, experience, and a structured approach, we highly value strong communication skills and a customer and results‑oriented mindset.
• You enjoy working collaboratively in project teams and proactively keep colleagues informed of your progress.
• You are also comfortable interacting professionally with clients when they attend testing activities or participate in laboratory tours.
• Finally, you have an excellent command of the Dutch language, both written and spoken.
• Proficiency in English is considered an advantage.

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…