Timco Visser & Gert-Jan van der Heijden - Urenco

Timco Visser

I completed my mathematics programme at the University of Twente in 1997, where I also obtained my PhD. My first job after that was in fluid dynamics and strength calculations, but after a few years, I ended up in the world of radiation protection at Urenco. I think one of the great things is that, as a radiation protection expert, I get to be everywhere in the company and have a say in everything. My tasks are very diverse, I deal with safety studies, talk to our supervisor and deal with permit applications.

Because we enrich uranium that can be used to create a chain reaction of fissions in a nuclear power plant, we also have to deal with special safety provisions there. Here, I get to help design systems, model and perform calculations to demonstrate safety. But also in the field of radiation protection, estimates have to be made, often supported by calculations. In the near future, we see new developments and questions emerging that we as a company want to respond to, with safety being paramount. A model-based mindset is crucial here!

Gert-Jan van der Heijden

My favourite fields of mathematics were discrete mathematics, especially game theory. After earning my master's degree, I started working as a software tester at an IT company. Over time, my role expanded to include customer support and quality assurance. Several years later, I joined a small electronics company renowned for its world-class medical amplifiers, although their software was subpar. When a friend left the company, I transitioned to Urenco. Due to some internal debates between departments at Urenco, I now hold two positions: Plant Performance, which is highly mathematical, and R&D. The plant can be modelled using mathematical principles, with some models dating back 40 years, as old as that part of the plant. My work involves finding new ways to optimize plant operations and occasionally battling entropy.

Urenco

Urenco supplies enriched uranium to nuclear power plants worldwide to produce CO2-free energy. With four enrichment plants, in the UK, the US, Germany and the Netherlands and a 30% market share, Urenco is an international player with customers around the world. Demand for enriched uranium is growing as more and more countries see nuclear power as a CO2-free stable energy source, which can be combined well with renewable sources such as solar and wind. We are therefore expanding our enrichment capacity in Almelo in the coming years.

Besides uranium, Urenco enriches stable isotopes for medical, industrial and research applications. These products are the basis for 2 million patient treatments per year worldwide. Urenco is the only western producer of these raw materials for nuclear medicine.

Urenco's Dutch facility in Almelo employs 400 people. They get energy from their work and pass it on to others. We make every effort to be a diverse and inclusive organisation with plenty of development opportunities, where everyone feels welcome and valued. 

We're proud to announce that Urenco is sponsoring the Career Day! You can find more about them here.