Brainstorm, experiment, learn, repeat.

As an R&D engineer, Leen does research for new products and looks for synthetic pathways to make chemicals. For her, it’s the perfect combination of working in the lab and at her desk, because sitting still all day just isn’t her thing.

R&D engineer Leen works in her element...

when experimenting in the lab.

“My favourite days at work are the ones when I have carte blanche for a project. If I’m brainstorming with some colleagues, I love bringing new ideas to the table. If an idea is unlikely to work, but well thought through, we still try it. You never know, the outcome is often different from what you would expect. That’s what makes my job exciting and I’m so glad we get the freedom to experiment.”

when creating a more sustainable world.

“It's important to me that my job aligns with my personal values and is socially relevant. Oleon checks all the boxes. We work on the origins of sustainability, as opposed to, for example, plastic processing, where you solve a consequence of the problem.”

when having fun with her colleagues.

“I’m the only woman in my team, but I don’t mind being ‘one of the boys’. There’s a great atmosphere, not only in our team but everywhere at Oleon. We regularly organize teambuilding activities to get to know each other outside of work. So, the collaboration is great, but for some projects, I work on my own. This combination of individual- and teamwork is ideal for me.”