Scientist Ammunition Safety

TNO; Den Haag; On-site; EUR 39,283 - 65,844; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

8% holiday pay

13th month bonus 8.33%

Flex budget 5.58% + €180

33 days annual leave

Job summary

TNO is seeking a Scientist Ammunition Safety in the Netherlands to conduct applied research on energetic materials and ammunition. You will translate findings into practical guidance for clients such as the Dutch Ministry of Defence and international partners.

You will investigate ammunition safety, explore degradation, and work with advanced testing and analytical techniques. Collaboration across disciplines is essential, with national and international programmes involved.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical skills and ability to understand complex technical challenges.
• Excellent communication in Dutch and English; able to translate research to practical solutions.

Responsibilities

• Conduct applied research on the safety of ammunition and energetic materials.
• Analyze performance and failure modes under different conditions and temperatures.
• Translate research results into practical recommendations for end users and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with national and international partners and use advanced testing facilities.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Dutch & English communication

Education

MSc in Aerospace Engineering or related

BSc with 4+ years experience

Job description

About this position

The safety of ammunition is critical for military personnel during education and training as well as during international operations. At TNO, you will work on challenges that directly contribute to the safe storage, transportation, and operation of ammunition under a wide range of conditions. As a Scientist Ammunition Safety, you conduct applied research into the behaviour of energetic materials and ammunition. You translate research findings into practical technological advice for clients such as the Dutch Ministry of Defence and international partners.

What will be your role?

You will work on research projects related to the performance and safety of ammunition and energetic materials. Typical questions include: Why did this ammunition item function unexpectedly? How do energetic materials degrade when exposed to high temperatures? And how can new technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, contribute to the safe use of ammunition? You investigate how ammunition safety is assured and how ammunition behaves under different conditions, such as elevated temperatures or mechanical loading. Based on your analyses, you contribute to challenges related to the storage, transportation, and use of ammunition, translating research results into practical recommendations for end users and stakeholders. In your work, you will use advanced testing facilities and analytical techniques, including chemical and thermal analysis. You will also develop and apply innovative technologies and participate in national and international research programmes. In these programmes, you collaborate with experts from the field to generate new insights and practical applications.

About the team

You will join the Ammunition Safety team within the Munition Technology department. This team consists of approximately 20 specialists who focus on the investigation, analysis, and testing of explosive substances and ammunition. Within the Munition Technology department, professionals with diverse backgrounds - including chemistry, mechanical engineering, and physics - work on national and international projects for clients such as the Ministry of Defence, foreign governments, and industry partners. The department has advanced facilities for chemical and thermal analysis, mechanical testing, and the testing of energetic materials. For more information about the team and our work, please visit: Ammunition Safety at TNO.

What we expect from you

You are curious, analytical, and driven to understand complex technical challenges. You work independently while actively collaborating with colleagues and stakeholders. You have a solution-oriented mindset and are able to translate research results into practical applications. In addition, you have an affinity for research within the defence and security domain and are motivated to further develop your expertise in energetic materials and ammunition safety. You work carefully, have a strong awareness of safety, and take responsibility for the quality of your work.

You also bring

• A completed MSc degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Chemical Engineering, or a related field. Candidates with a BSc degree are also encouraged to apply, provided you have at least four years of relevant work experience.
• Affinity with energetic materials or the safety of technical systems.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to understand complex technical challenges.
• Excellent communication skills in both Dutch and English.
• An interest in applied research and translating knowledge into practical solutions.

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 € 3,520 and € 5,900 (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.

• 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.

Eligibility and compliance

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.

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.