About this position

A liveable future for everyone. That is what drives us at the Naval and Offshore Structures department. We design, analyse and test a wide range of structures for the maritime and offshore industries, as well as for defence applications. Ensuring these structures remain safe and reliable throughout their service life, even under the most demanding conditions, is at the core of our work. The transition to new energy sources for ship propulsion, including hydrogen-based fuels and nuclear energy, presents major engineering challenges. How do ships and offshore systems perform under these new operating conditions? How can regulations be developed to enable their safe introduction? What happens in the event of a collision, and what are the consequences for the vessel, its crew and the surrounding environment?

Answering these questions requires more than assessing risks alone. It also means developing practical solutions and validating them through both theoretical and experimental research. Are you excited by these challenges and would you like to help shape the safe and sustainable vessels of the future? If so, this role could be the perfect fit.

What will be your role?

As a Starter Scientist in Ship Design of Future, you will investigate how emerging energy systems influence the design, operation and safety of ships and offshore installations. Your work will focus on technologies such as hydrogen carriers, including ammonia, small modular reactors (SMRs), and the systems and structures needed to deploy them safely. Working closely with your colleagues, you will analyse, model and test maritime structures and systems to help bring innovative solutions to market in a safe and cost-effective way. Examples include collision-resistant ship structures and lightweight shielding concepts for nuclear applications. You will also assess the impact of incident scenarios on vessels, crew members and the surrounding environment. Your findings will support the evaluation of existing and future regulations, helping to determine whether they adequately address emerging risks and where improvements may be needed.

You will be part of a multidisciplinary team of experts from a wide range of technical backgrounds and work closely with clients and research partners. In addition, you will contribute to TNO's scientific and industrial reputation through publications and presentations.

You will join the Naval and Offshore Structures department, a team of around 60 dedicated experts in maritime engineering, civil engineering, aerospace engineering, applied physics and mechanical engineering. Our work focuses primarily on the defence, maritime and offshore sectors. Supported by our state-of-the-art mechanical testing laboratories, we combine experimental and theoretical expertise to solve highly complex engineering challenges and validate breakthrough structural solutions. Our research covers topics ranging from the safe use of alternative fuels on board ships and the structural integrity of offshore wind turbines to ship structures designed to withstand shock and explosion loads. In doing so, we address some of today's most pressing challenges: the energy transition and the growing need for safety and security at sea.

What we expect from you

You hold a Master's degree from a research university in a relevant engineering discipline, such as Maritime Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or Mechanical Engineering, with a specialisation in ship design and structural design. You have a solid theoretical foundation and a practical understanding of ship design, including the interaction between vessel layout, structural arrangements and operational safety. Experience with energy systems is an advantage.

Alongside your technical expertise, you are a strong communicator with a collaborative mindset and a focus on delivering results. You enjoy working with colleagues, clients and partners to develop solutions that are both scientifically sound and practically applicable. You are fluent in both Dutch and English, spoken and written. Knowledge of French would be considered an advantage.

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 € 3.533,- and € 5.047,- (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 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 22nd of November, 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.
A certificate of Conduct (VOG) is required before starting a new job at TNO.

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.

For questions about this position you can contact Sander Dragt, Research Manager via sander.dragt@tno.nl

For questions with regards to the selectionproces and working at TNO you can contact our recruiter, Max Krajenbrink, via max.krajenbrink@tno.nl