Research engineer

Position: Research engineer |
Want to make your mark on our time? Become a Research Engineer Plasma Chemistry at TNO in Geleen!
About this position  The chemical industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation toward a more sustainable future. This shift is driven by the integration of renewable energy and the increased use of biological and circular feed stocks.
Our team is at the forefront of this transition, developing advanced plasma technologies that play a crucial role in decarbonizing large-scale chemical processes. These innovations are essential for achieving climate targets and reshaping the long-term sustainability of the chemical industry by electrification of the chemical reactions.
To support this ambition, we are looking for a Research Engineer Plasma Chemistry. In this role, you will contribute to the development, optimization and operations of plasma processes that convert waste gases into value-added chemicals and fuels. The position is based at Bright lands Chemelot Campus in Geleen, where we pioneer the plasma technologies for large-scale chemical processes beyond the current state of the art.
What will be your role?  As Research Engineer, you will be part of the fast-growing plasma team. With the main research setups successfully commissioned, the focus is shifting towards continuous development, reliable operation, and scale-up. Ensuring robust daily operation and high experimental reliability is therefore of utmost importance in this role.
You will take ownership of the day to day operation of our plasma systems, ensuring stable, safe, and reliable performance. You will independently run and support experiments, proactively identify and resolve technical issues, contribute to improving process yield and long-term operational stability.
Working closely with scientists and project leaders, you will provide practical input to experimental design and translate research questions into executable experimental work. As the plasma systems evolve and scale up, you will actively support system upgrades and modifications. You will also create, maintain and improve process documentation, work instruction and best practices, while clearly documenting operational insights and experimental results.
What we expect from you  

This role offers an ideal balance between autonomy and collaboration. You will work closely with TNO scientists, engineers, and partners, each bringing deep expertise in plasma technology. A critical, quality driven mindset and a structured way of working is essential, as is a proactive and collaborative attitude towards continuous improvement.
You also bring the following qualifications and skills:
BSc in Chemical engineering.
10 years of relevant hands-on experience with experimental systems, preferably in plasma, high‑voltage, chemical processes.
Ability to operate, monitor and troubleshoot complex lab equipment during extended and repeated runs.

Experience with system optimization and process tuning.
Practical knowledge of instrumentation, diagnostics, sensors, and control systems.
Familiarity with scale-up challenges from lab to pilot-scale environments is a strong plus.
Ability to collect, analyze, and evaluate experimental data.
Structured, accurate and well organized approach to executing and reporting experimental research.
Strong communication skills in English, both written and verbal.
Safety-aware and comfortable working in high-power or technical lab environments.
Well-organized, proactive, and effective in a dynamic R&D setting.
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 € 3,500 and € 4,500 (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…