R&D Project Lead
Turn your scientific curiosity into real-world impact – at DESOTEC.
Are you ready to channel your passion for innovation, sustainability, and technology into making the world a better place? As an R&D Project Lead at DESOTEC, you’ll drive cutting-edge research that tackles both industrial and environmental challenges. You’ll develop smart solutions for air, water, and soil purification, lead strategic projects from idea to implementation, and collaborate with top colleagues and partners both locally and internationally.
Does this sound like the next step in your career? Then we’d love to get to know you!
Who is DESOTEC?
DESOTEC is an international environmental services company that helps protect the planet with sustainable mobile filtration solutions for the purification of liquids and gases.
We have approximately 450 employees, united in Generation D., who are all committed to helping protect the planet by driving positive ecological change across all industries.
Private equity funds managed by Blackstone acquired DESOTEC in 2021.
Why are we looking for an R&D Project Lead at DESOTEC?
Due to our continued growth and the further optimization of our R&D team, we’re looking for an additional R&D Project Lead.
What does an R&D Project Lead do at DESOTEC?
As a R&D Project Lead, you’ll be a driving force behind innovation, making a broad impact on our products, clients, and strategy.
You develop and improve products
You work on developing and validating high-performance solutions based on activated carbon. Think of applications such as biogas purification, PFAS or VOC removal, odor control, soil remediation, and wastewater treatment.You translate ideas into concrete R&D strategies
Together with your colleagues and the R&D Manager, you develop innovative strategies aligned with DESOTEC’s goals.Priorities and project milestones
You keep a close eye on your goals and deadlines and make sure you achieve results together with your colleagues.You contribute to strategic, high-impact projects
You take part in larger, multidisciplinary R&D initiatives alongside colleagues from other departments and external partners.You connect R&D with the wider organization
You ensure research projects align with the broader company strategy through close collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.You represent DESOTEC as an expert
Along with your team, you share insights through presentations, customer visits, and webinars, showcasing our expertise and building strong relationships.You stay on top of tech trends
You’re curious about new and competitive technologies and explore how they could be relevant to our applications.
What does your team look like?
As a R&D Project Lead, you’ll work alongside five passionate R&D colleagues at our site in Rumbeke, Roeselare. You’ll report to the R&D Manager.
Who are you as an R&D Project Lead at DESOTEC?
You’re a curious problem-solver with a passion for science and meaningful impact. You think analytically, act with purpose, and are energized by discovering new possibilities.
You hold a Master’s degree in a scientific or technical field.
Experience with activated carbon, LC-MS, adsorption technology or analytical chemistry? Great, but not a must.
You’re fluent in both Dutch and English – other languages are a bonus.
You combine a hands-on mentality with a strong desire to learn and a natural drive to experiment.
You like to take initiative and make decisions without getting stuck in the details.
You thrive both in a team and when working independently.
You’re a sharp analyst, but always keep the practical and economic context in mind.
You’re open to occasional travel (approx. every 2–3 months) within Europe for conferences or lab visits.
Recognize yourself in our three core values – Teamwork, Excellence and Devotion – but don’t meet every requirement? Don’t hesitate to apply anyway!
What’s in it for you as an R&D Project Lead? 😉
It goes without saying that you get a lot in return in exchange for your unbridled dedication and enthusiasm:
A competitive salary – We guarantee you a (more than) competitive base salary, depending on your experience.
Fringe benefits – To optimize your salary package, you can count on a smartphone with a mobile subscription, a generous net expense reimbursement, meal vouchers, group and hospitalization insurance (AG Insurance), a non-recurrent CAO90 bonus, two annual gross bonuses, and the option for bicycle leasing after one year of service.
Discounts through partnerships – As part of the Blackstone group, all internal DESOTEC employees also enjoy discounts on BRE-Hotels (a collection of Blackstone-owned hotels and resorts). Through Benefits at Work you get discounts at Center Parcs, Zalando, bol.com, Krëfel, Decathlon and many more.
Work-life-balance / hybrid working – You work during flexible hours and, with the approval of the R&D Director, have the freedom to work in your home office for a maximum of 2 days per week after a training period.
Time off to schedule freely – At DESOTEC there is no collective closure. You enjoy 23 paid vacation days and have the freedom to take 10 unpaid vacation days on top of that. This way you can increase your number of vacation days to 33 days!
Personal & professional growth – You will have every opportunity to immerse yourself in your new role, but also to grow personally and professionally through an extensive range of training courses.
Fun and relaxation – You will regularly be invited to one of the many afterworks and other fun activities. Each team also gets a team building budget – it's up to you how you spend it!
Our purpose and mission?
At DESOTEC, we are committed to building a cleaner, greener world for all. We strive to helping protect the planet by driving positive ecological change across all industries. Witness our mission with your own eyes in the DESOTEC purpose movie.
Curious to find out more about your potential future employer? Check out www.desotec.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram via @DESOTEC.