Careers | The Ocean Cleanup

We seek passion and excellence

Our mission is to develop advanced technologies to rid the oceans of plastic. We need to complete one of the most ambitious engineering projects on the face of the planet. To succeed in our mission, we hire dedicated, fully focused and out-of-the-box thinking employees.

If you are a master problem solver and are willing to do whatever it takes to rid the world’s oceans of plastic, we want you at The Ocean Cleanup.

Our values

DATA-DRIVEN

We validate our work with science and numbers

THINK BIG

We start by tackling the big problems and solve the smaller ones along the way

WORK WITH NATURE

Technology should be symbiotic with the environment

HIGHLY FOCUSED

Trying to do everything often leads to accomplishing nothing

STRIVE FOR SIMPLICITY

We avoid interdependency for faster iteration cycles

ITERATIVE

We test often and fast – to learn as we go and adapt when needed

BUILD WITH EXPERTISE

… but not without questioning it

NON-PROFIT

The Ocean Cleanup is a project that has a strict deadline; once the oceans are clean, our project is complete

Job openings

Project Planning & Finance Engineer Open Rotterdam, Netherlands
Senior River Researcher Open Rotterdam, Netherlands
Head of Finance Open Rotterdam, Netherlands
Manufacturing Contract & Account Manager Open Rotterdam, Netherlands
Operations Officer – Waste Open Rotterdam, Netherlands
Junior Business Developer On hold Rotterdam, Netherlands
Junior Business Developer – Latin America On hold Rotterdam, Netherlands
Computational Modeler Interviews started Rotterdam, Netherlands
Program Coordinator Research and Ocean On hold Rotterdam, Netherlands
Finance Assistant Open Rotterdam, Netherlands
Environmental Officer Interviews started Rotterdam, Netherlands
Communications Intern Open Rotterdam, Netherlands
Administrative Support Volunteer Open Rotterdam, Netherlands
Multimedia Volunteer Open Rotterdam, Netherlands
Volunteer Application Open Global
Open Application Open Rotterdam, Netherlands

Need a few good reasons to join the team?

See your work getting implemented within months of initial design
Work on cutting-edge ocean engineering, ocean modeling, and plastic pollution research.
Be part of a driven group of experts, who see the “impossible” as temporary.
Play a key role in launching the largest cleanup in history.

We bring the Silicon Valley culture to the Netherlands

Build, break, learn, and repeat: we iterate fast and continuously
We work anywhere, anytime.
Personal accountability is our culture (no time sheets or fixed number of holidays)
From (free) team lunches, to drinks on the terrace, to ping pong – we work hard, but we also enjoy downtime

The team

Boyan Slat
CEO and Founder

Boyan Slat
CEO and Founder

Inventor since birth
Founded The Ocean Cleanup at age 18
Youngest-ever recipient of UN’s highest environment award

Full bio, Twitter, Facebook
Lonneke Holierhoek
COO

Lonneke Holierhoek, MSc
COO

Using 20 years of experience in maritime and offshore projects towards achieving successful cleanup operations

Master of Science in Technical Mathematics (TU Delft, 1995), Quantity Surveyor (I.C.E.S., UK, 2003)

An enthused amateur lapidist
Jos Huijbregts
CFO

Jos Huijbregts, MSc
CFO

Bringing 25 years of corporate finance and business management experience to The Ocean Cleanup

Master’s in Econometry (Amsterdam University, 1990), executive degree in Financial Controlling (Amsterdam University, 1994), Management Program (Harvard, 2009)

As an avid sailor, I'm fully motivated to help to rid the oceans of plastic.
Joost Dubois
Communications and External Affairs

Joost Dubois, MSc
Communications and External Affairs

Chief Storyteller

25+ years veteran of corporate affairs, marketing and communications

Passionately curious with a nose for news
André Vollering
IT Support

André Vollering, MSc
IT Support

Master Bioinformatics

I fix computer related problems
Anne Raangs
Operations Officer

Anne Raangs, MSc
Operations Officer

Graduated as an Industrial Design Engineer from TU Delft.
Used to hectic work environment from the Norwegian offshore yard area.
Prefers to sail the ocean shorthandedly in a sailing boat.
Trying my best to make the world a bit cleaner, both in the local Rotterdam neighborhood and abroad.
Arjen Tjallema
Technology Manager

Arjen Tjallema, MSc
Technology Manager

Hydrodynamics & motion-of-the-ocean expert

Floating & boating enthusiast

Experienced mooring designer, with strings attached
Arthur Fourny
Computational Modeling Intern

Arthur Fourny
Computational Modeling Intern

Background in hydrodynamics and coding.

Studying interactions between the cleanup system and plastic in the ocean.

Coming from the mountains of central France but crazy about sailing, windsurfing and surfing.
Bart Bruggerman
Project Engineer

Bart Bruggerman, Msc
Project Engineer

Background in offshore engineering, heavy lifting projects and innovation/concept thinking.

Love to explore the underwater world using my camera and only one breath.
Bart Buijsman
Project Engineer Assembly

Bart Buijsman, BSc
Project Engineer Assembly

Eight years of field experience in offshore construction

Lifelong passion for surfing

When I retire, I like my waves to be free of plastic
Bastiaan Dubois
Business Development Manager

Bastiaan Dubois, MSc
Business Development Manager

Driven to build strategic partnerships that enable global scale-up
Background in consulting and diplomacy
Rescued a seal who is now swimming in the ocean again named after me
Bruno Sainte-Rose
Lead Computational Modeler

Bruno Sainte-Rose, PhD
Lead Computational Modeler

Leads plastic modeling activities

Loves to put his rocket science education to down to earth challenging missions

As a Caribbean islander knows the importance of cleaner oceans!
Carla Cecconi
Finance Assistant

Carla Cecconi
Finance Assistant

Human being who respects Nature and aims to restore the balance.

Born in Chile surrounded by mountains and the beautiful Pacific Ocean.

Joined the team in January to contribute to the mission, bringing in my mix of finance and sustainability skills.
Carlo Wesseling
Operations Manager

Carlo Wesseling
Operations Manager

Former Army engineering officer with 20 years of experience in leadership, strategy design, innovation, and obviously, operations

Worked as deputy director of the innovation center for the Ministry of Defense

Geeky board game designer in spare time
Carmen Peren
HR Manager

Carmen Peren, MSc
HR Manager

Happy to provide HR support to a dedicated crew that strives to have a positive impact on our planet.
6 years of HR experience in the corporate environment.
Animal lover, chocolate addict, and book nerd.
Chris Reichard
Lead Structural & Mechanical Engineer

Chris Reichard, MSc
Lead Structural & Mechanical Engineer

Creative, innovation loving engineer leading the structural team for the pacific system

Experience in structural engineering with a mix of hydrodynamics and coding, previously worked for one of the largest vessels in the offshore industry

Have a passion for the outdoors and always ready for an adventure
Dan van der Kooy
Senior Video Producer

Dan van der Kooy, MSc
Senior Video Producer

Storyteller, video producer, film photographer

Produced thousands of stories from all over this planet

Now proud to be a part of telling one of the most important stories for this planet
Deborah Koskela
Lead Hydrodynamic Engineer

Deborah Koskela, BSc
Lead Hydrodynamic Engineer

Investigated the impact of ocean motion on flexible things, for fifteen years

Believes in sustainable living. Treads the fine line between recycling and hoarding

Using my professional skills for my personal beliefs
Dieuwertje Ewalts
Chief of Staff

Dieuwertje Ewalts, MSc
Chief of Staff

Enabling the MT to operate efficiently and effectively, help to secure funding

Over 12 years experience in strategy development and implementation at Deloitte

Proud caretaker of two rescued chinchillas. Known as fervent ‘litterati’
Eline Spek
Program Coordinator

Eline Spek, MSc
Program Coordinator

Experienced juggler of projects, priorities and plans

Can almost always answer your question. Probably yesterday

Boulderer, sword fighter & always something new
Ellen Hoogland
General Counsel

Ellen Hoogland, LL.M.
General Counsel

All-round business-oriented general counsel with 20 years of experience

Motivated to leave the world a bit better than I found it.
Emile Janssens
Operations Officer

Emile Janssens, MSc
Operations Officer

MSc – Supply Chain Management, Technology Management
Project Manager with a background in the Marine Industry
Can’t sit still for longer than 5 minutes
Emily den Boer
Legal and HR Assistant

Emily den Boer, LL.B.
Legal and HR Assistant

Assisting the legal and HR team
Studying Administrative Law at Leiden Law School
Always fascinated by nature, very motivated to fight pollution
Erika Träskvik
Digital Communications Manager

Erika Träskvik, MSc
Digital Communications Manager

Have been fascinated by marketing as long as I can remember. Finnish but speak Swedish

Grew up in the forest and spent the summers at the coast. Yes, Finland has summer too

Loving the “nothing is impossible”-spirit at The Ocean Cleanup
Evelyn Bray
Community and Stakeholder Manager

Evelyn Bray, BSc
Community and Stakeholder Manager

The Ocean Cleanup's biggest fan

Firm believer research and communications are a match made in heaven

My recipe to clean the ocean: optimism, determination, passion mixed with strategy, correspondence, out-of-the-box thinking and a dash of insanity
Fedde Poppenk
Mechanical Engineer

Fedde Poppenk, MSc
Mechanical Engineer

Working on the Pacific Ocean System as a design and structural engineer

Graduated as Space Systems Engineer, spent 7 years in the Oil and Gas industry as a designer and now up for doing some good
Femke Hoes
Finance Coordinator

Femke Hoes
Finance Coordinator

Proud member of the service team

Passionate about ridding the oceans of plastic
Florent Beauverd
Creative Content Director

Florent Beauverd, BSc
Creative Content Director

Self-educated videographer, photographer and copywriter

Bsc. Geosciences & Environment

Curious about physics & mechanical engineering. Tendency to shatter iPhone screens. In love with the great outdoors
Francesco Ferrari
Environmental Monitoring Coordinator

Francesco Ferrari, MSc
Environmental Monitoring Coordinator

Because plastic fighting handyman marine biologist that sails the ocean, is not a job title

3 expeditions to collect samples

Always looking for a solution
Hanna Beumer
Executive Assistant to CEO

Hanna Beumer, BSc
Executive Assistant to CEO

Enhancing the executives' effectiveness by providing information management support and representing the executive to others

Bachelor of Business Administration - Professional background in Events Management, Artist Handling, Marketing, and Executive/Personal Assistance

Passionate about traveling, the beauty of nature and neuropsychology
Hans Limburg
Computational Modeler

Hans Limburg, BSc
Computational Modeler

Studying wave overtopping and bridging phenomena of the floating barrier system

Regularly found in, near and on the water
Hendrik Wrenger
Computational Modeler

Hendrik Wrenger, MSc
Computational Modeler

Investigating the accumulation of plastic in front of the barrier

Varied background ranging from hands-on construction to environmental engineering

Hoping to find a way to make use of his paraglider in the Netherlands
Henk van Dalen
Project Manager

Henk van Dalen, MSc
Project Manager

Responsible for a successful execution of the first cleanup system

Experienced in Procurement, Project Management and Business Development

Passionate surfer who lives by the motto "don’t destroy what you came to enjoy"
Henning Lagemann
Graduate Engineer

Henning Lagemann, BSc
Graduate Engineer

Coming up with lab- and field tests to improve barrier design

Former product development engineer at a water safety company

Loves to swim in clean rivers, lakes and oceans
Ivan Soares
Oceanographer & Computational Modeler

Ivan Soares, PhD
Oceanographer & Computational Modeler

Senior Oceanographer with 25 years of experience in Ocean Circulation Modeling

Has a PhD in Meteorology and Physical Oceanography by the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science – University of Miami

Founder and CEO of the Atlantis Institute)
Jaap Spaans
Design Engineer

Jaap Spaans, BSc
Design Engineer

Working on the Pacific Ocean System, the system that will take out plastic from the oceans

Previously Design Engineer at Huisman Equipment, Dive instructor and draftsman at Royal HaskoningDHV

As a scuba diver did coral reef clean-ups, now happy to join the biggest ocean clean-up in history
Jasper Struelens
Mechanical Engineering Intern

Jasper Struelens, BSc
Mechanical Engineering Intern

Left the ski industry to study fluid dynamic interactions with the cleanup system.
Covering on-site operations of the cleanup system.
Already dreaming about eating plastic free seafood in 2050.
Jasper van Eijk
Project Engineer

Jasper van Eijk, BSc
Project Engineer

Background in building pleasure crafts, offshore contracting and aquaculture innovation.

Multidisciplinary watersports maniac.

Excited about a cleaner future - let’s clean this mess up!
Jean-Sebastian Verjut
Senior Structural Engineer

Jean-Sebastian Verjut, MSc
Senior Structural Engineer

Passionate about everything floating

Helped moor vessels for the O&G industry from 70 to 2700 m water depth

Likes to rise up to the challenge
Joel Jansen
Specialist Engineer

Joel Jansen, MSc
Specialist Engineer

Specialist in several engineering disciplines (hence the job title). Now focused on QHSE (Quality, Health, Safety, and Environment) for The Ocean Cleanup system

Previously worked for an innovative company in offshore access, transferring millions of people offshore safely from a vessel to an offshore structure

Would like to leave behind a better world for our children. If not now then when?
John Murray
Head of Public Affairs

John Murray, BA
Head of Public Affairs

Working constructively and productively with government in all its forms

Drawing on long experience of UK, EU and US public affairs in multiple sectors

Ex-choirboy, belatedly playing in the band
Josee Meiners
HR Director

Josee Meiners
HR Director

High energy HR Director & problem solver

Living on a sailing boat, clean water is so important to me. That’s why I put my experience and energy in The Ocean Cleanup mission
Julius Lein
Technical Superintendent

Julius Lein, MSc
Technical Superintendent

Hydrodynamics and coding vs. operation and organization, familiar in both worlds

Passion for windsurfing, sailing, football, cycling… sports!

Fixing everything from old scooters to computers
Justin van Klaveren
River Research Intern

Justin van Klaveren
River Research Intern

Studying to receive my Master's degree in Marine and Freshwater Science with a Major in Science in Society.

I design and conduct sampling campaigns in countries abroad and assist the research team wherever needed.

I'm a Third Culture Kid always seeking discomfort.
Kees van Oeveren
Mechatronics Engineer

Kees van Oeveren, MSc
Mechatronics Engineer

Developping plastic sensing techniques

MSc Energy & Environmental Sciences

Passionate about kitesurfing and DIY music electronics
Laurent Lebreton
Oceanographer

Laurent Lebreton, MSc
Oceanographer

10 years experience in ocean modelling, environmental data science and mapping

Ocean lover, surfer and globetrotter
Lourens Meijer
Senior Hydrologist

Lourens Meijer, MSc
Senior Hydrologist

Working on understanding and quantifying the global influx of plastics into the ocean

6 years of experience in Engineering Consulting

Water sports enthusiast, from frozen ice to tropical waves
Maggie Lund
Head of Business Development

Maggie Lund, MBA
Head of Business Development

Environmental Engineer MBA.
14+ years’ experience in business development, project management, fundraising, and diplomacy.
Passionate about sustainability and innovation seasoned with a flavor of philanthropic ambitions to change the world.
Enjoy free time as an artist (painting) and co-author of two books.
Marc Laubscher
Financial Manager

Marc Laubscher
Financial Manager

Responsible for managing the finance function, financial planning and reporting

Experience in a number of industries as an auditor at Deloitte for 6 years in South Africa, San Francisco and Rotterdam

Big fan of the great outdoors, wildlife and playing golf
Marieke Bijl
Office Manager

Marieke Bijl, LL.M
Office Manager

Motivated, proactive and proud member of the team working on ridding our oceans of plastic

Had a company for 12 years, so far not sorry for the exchange to The Ocean Cleanup
Matthias Egger
Lead Ocean Field Scientist

Matthias Egger, PhD
Lead Ocean Field Scientist

Using 10+ years of experience in marine research to improve our knowledge about the cycling of plastic in the ocean

PhD in Marine Biogeochemistry (Utrecht University), MSc in Environmental Sciences (ETH Zurich)

Born and raised in the Swiss Alps, passionate scuba diver, weakness for chocolate and Belgian Beers
Matthias van Middendorp
Design Engineer

Matthias van Middendorp, MSc
Design Engineer

Designing concepts and materialising industrial products and machines with a special interest for clean tech sector

Working on the extraction system

Passionate about travelling and sports like cycling, hiking and climbing
Peter Wiersum
Project Manager Communications

Peter Wiersum, OLY
Project Manager Communications

Aligning engineering and operational work with communications planning and logistics

Represented the Netherlands at the Beijing, London and Rio Olympic Games

Former world champion and Olympic bronze medallist coxing the Dutch men’s rowing team
Rachel Richardson
Manager, Creative Copy & PR

Rachel Richardson, BSc
Manager, Creative Copy & PR

I love to tell a good story and I’m here to help The Ocean Cleanup tell theirs

Have worked in aerospace, fashion, law, healthcare, education, but now I think I found my fit in the ocean

Ran several half marathons, ran one full marathon, and can quote 97.3% of the movie Zoolander
Reijnder de Feijter
Technical Superintendent

Reijnder de Feijter, MSc
Technical Superintendent

Investigating the structural and hydrodynamic response of the cleanup system

Divides even his lunch into finite elements

Passionate about eco friendly motorsports
Rein Nijhof
Ocean Plastic Research Intern

Rein Nijhof, BSc
Ocean Plastic Research Intern

Studying buoyant plastics debris present in the marine environment to quantify the degree of contamination
Background in Earth Sciences and currently finishing my Master Earth, Life and Climate at Utrecht University.
Loving to travel, especially to the mountains, and being a Dutchie I'm also so a big cycling fanatic!
Renate Dauvarte
Communications intern

Renate Dauvarte
Communications intern

Wide variety of experience in hospitality and customer service in different parts of the world.

Supporting the Communications team with community management through social media and email.

One day I wish to have gills and live under the water, so the oceans better be cleaned by then.
Rikke van Berk
General Manager Extraction

Rikke van Berk, MSc
General Manager Extraction

Responsible for the implementation of cleanup systems worldwide

Experienced CEO of engineering companies, Business development and Consultancy in Developing countries and Supervisory board member of a Dutch family owned machine shop

Striving to contribute to a better world through a healthy business approach
Roberto Brambini
Hydrodynamic Engineer

Roberto Brambini, MSc
Hydrodynamic Engineer

Lived in Denmark where I got the M.Sc. degree in Civil Engineering

Singer-songwriter and passionate about swimming, surf, football and snowboarding

Best adventure so far: one month research expedition in the North Pacific ocean
Robert Stein
Procurement Manager Extraction Project

Robert Stein, MSc
Procurement Manager Extraction Project

Working on finding the best partners to help us protect the oceans from plastic inflow.
Previous experience in Sales and Business Development for global industrial projects, most recently for Caterpillar.
I play slide trombone in a big band, which has resemblances to the work here: All playing the same tune, mastering different instruments, sometimes taking the lead, but most of the time letting others shine.
Roosmarijn van Zummeren
Ocean Plastic Research Intern

Roosmarijn van Zummeren, BSc
Ocean Plastic Research Intern

Studying beached plastics from remote islands and investigating the influence of storm events in regards to beaching mechanisms.
Studying Marine Sciences (MSc.) at Utrecht University.
Love to explore the ocean, either by boat, on a surfboard or by scuba diving.
Robin de Vries
Geospatial Analyst

Robin de Vries, MSc
Geospatial Analyst

Researching plastics detection, mapping and analysis from the air and from space

Four years of experience in Remote Sensing and Geo-Information Analysis in one of the oil & gas supermajors

Fascinated by our dynamic and powerful planet and convinced it will get rid of us, humans, if we don’t keep it clean!
Rutger de Witt Wijnen
General Counsel

Rutger de Witt Wijnen, LL.M.
General Counsel

Responsible for all legal matters such as cooperations, contracts, regulatory requirements for our cleanup systems, IP registrations, etc. as well as government relations.
In my past, I worked with international finance transactions, legal actions of climate change, Green Climate Fund in South Korea and Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in Geneva.
One of my hobbies is making wine (and drinking it, in moderation of course).
Sander Darricarrère
Design Engineer

Sander Darricarrère, BSc
Design Engineer

18 years of experience in the fascinating oil and gas industry, working both onshore, offshore and on fabrication yards.

Likes all kinds of sports, but nothing so far beats windsurfing.

Was fortunate enough to have been able to travel all over the world and visit magical places.
Now it is time to do my part and help keep it that way.
Sarah-Jeanne Royer
Oceanographer

Sarah-Jeanne Royer, PhD
Oceanographer

Using 10 + years of research in biogeochemistry and the degradation of plastic and microfibre in the environment

My long-last objective is for policymakers to use data from scientists and volunteers to design better laws and policies to reduce plastic production & consumption

Surfer, ocean lover, sailing, hiking, running and cycling are my favourite ways of transportation depending on where I am
Sherilyn Suarez
Video Editor

Sherilyn Suarez, BSc
Video Editor

Makes great edits, and also a very good pico de gallo
Siiri Hatakka
QESH Manager

Siiri Hatakka, MSc
QESH Manager

MSc. Economics, Corporate Environmental Management

Working on recycling strategy for the Ocean Plastic

Background in Environmental Management and Health & Safety
Sjoerd Drenkelford
Installation Officer

Sjoerd Drenkelford
Installation Officer

Works on extraction technology

Background in Transport engineering and logistics

Fanatic music lover
Steven Bink
Head of IT

Steven Bink, MSc
Head of IT

Microsoft Tech consultant since 1994
Passionate for Science and Technology
Joined The Ocean Cleanup on June 18, 2013
Stijn Pinson
Project Engineer Electrical Systems

Stijn Pinson, MSc
Project Engineer Electrical Systems

Experience in sensors, data, and the earth environment. Love the audacious goals at The Ocean Cleanup and passionate about all sportive challenges.
Wouter van Tongeren
Head of International Relations

Wouter van Tongeren
Head of International Relations

Studied International Relations in Leiden and Stellenbosch (SA) and Social Entrepreneurship in Amsterdam

Skilled to co-create new ideas to persistent challenges, rethink outmoded systems and innovate in industry-defining ways

Football player, former voice actor (one of Disney’s Lost Boys and Good Luck Bear).