About the site Since 1960, the JRC in Geel has employed its unique scientific expertise to develop reference materials, measurements, methodologies and tools for EU policies. The site promotes standardisation and harmonisation across the European Union, while boosting innovation, competitiveness and protecting EU consumers and citizens. The JRC in Geel, which hosts about 230 employees, is located in the peaceful countryside of Flanders, 20 kilometres south of the Dutch border and 55 kilometres east of Antwerp.Experts at JRC Geel enjoy an international and collaborative environment, where they develop methodologies and tools that put science at the heart of EU policies. Page contents Page contents Research work in Geel The JRC in Geel brings together internationally recognised expertise in measurement sciences, standardisation and harmonisation. It develops and provides fit-for-purpose measurement methods, materials and guidelines to ensure the reliability of millions of measurements performed every single day in EU laboratories and worldwide.Scientists at the site work in specialised laboratories equipped with cutting-edge tools and technologies. Their work covers a wide range of activities: biotechnology, food and feed safety, food fraud detection, nanotechnology, nuclear safety, digital health, reference materials, threat detection, counter drone, aviation security and cancer screening diagnosis and care. Explosives trace detection laboratory The laboratory features a selection of Explosive trace detection equipment currently used in EU airports. Reference measurements are critical for mitigating false negatives. Food safety and compliance laboratory The laboratory, with its specialised analytical facility, plays a key role in maintaining the EU’s world-leading food safety and quality standards and ensuring compliance with EU policies. Reference material production laboratory This development and processing facility produces Certified reference materials to anticipate, support, and implement European legislation. Nuclear reference material and measurement facility This facility enables state-of-the-art reference measurements of nuclear materials and samples (such as environmental samples) and inter-laboratory comparisons of sample analysis.Nuclear target preparation laboratories These laboratories produce and characterise a range of specialised targets required for conducting high-precision measurements of neutron-reaction data at the JRC Geel GELINA and MONNET accelerators. Radionuclide metrology laboratories These laboratories are a cluster of selected instruments for both the radiological characterisation of materials and high accuracy radioactivity measurements. Tandem accelerator based fast neutron source A neutron time-of-flight facility focusing on the measurement of nuclear resonance parameters which are crucial for understanding nuclear reactions and materials’ behavior. Explore all laboratories in GeelJRC neutron time-of-Flight facility The JRC's neutron time-of-flight facility, called GELINA, is one of the best pulsed white spectrum neutron sources available in the world, used for nuclear data measurements.Underground laboratory for ultra-low level gamma-ray spectrometry JRC operates the HADES laboratory, 225 metres underground, to provide ultra-low-level radioactivity measurements free from the influence of cosmic rays and ground-level radioactivity sources. Working at JRC Geel Joining the JRC in Geel provides a unique opportunity to work on cutting-edge scientific projects in a supportive, multicultural and motivating environment, with excellent working conditions and a wide range of services and opportunities, including:Language development: The JRC in Geel offers onsite language courses, enabling staff to expand their linguistic skills while working in a multilingual environment.Leisure and social activities: JRC staff and their families can join a variety of sports clubs and social activities, such as cooking classes, bowling, tennis, padel, and yoga, while enjoying a friendly atmosphere and making new connections.Educational opportunities: The nearby European School in Mol provides quality education to a diverse student body, from nursery to the European Baccalaureate level. Students thrive in a multicultural environment, forming international friendships.The JRC in Geel offers opportunities for scientific, technical, administrative and support staff. Explore open vacancies in Geel The Citizens’ Forum: A new conference building The Citizens’ Forum is a pilot New European Bauhaus renovation and extension project of the conference building in JRC Geel, which has reached the end of its service life. The project prioritises retention, adaptation and material reuse, in alignment also with the Level(s) European Commission's framework.A planned call for tender will invite construction companies committed to innovation and sustainability to participate in this cutting-edge EU project. We are looking for forward-thinking partners to bring our vision to life. Discover the Citizens’ Forum project in JRC Geel About Geel and Mol The JRC Geel site is strategically situated between the towns of Geel and Mol, approximately seven to eight kilometres away respectively, each with a population of around 23,000 residents.These tranquil towns offer a wide range of services and amenities for residents and visitors, including shopping streets, sports facilities, cinemas, cultural attractions, festivals, and more.The natural surroundings provide plenty of opportunities to recharge and relax, with a picturesque lake and charming beaches as an ideal background for social activities forging new friendships. How to reach JRC GeelThe JRC in Geel benefits from excellent connectivity and access to major travel hubs, with nearby international airports in Brussels Zaventem, Brussels Charleroi, and Eindhoven. The most convenient airport to reach the site is Brussels Zaventem: from there, you can reach Geel by train.Geel also benefits from good road connections to major cities such as Antwerp, Brussels, Maastricht and Eindhoven in the Netherlands and Aachen in Germany. Other transport options include a public bus from the railway station of Mol to the JRC Geel site. For staff residing near Brussels, a carpooling team is available to ease commuting. Information for newcomers The guide 'Soon in Geel' gives newcomers and their families detailed information on what to expect when moving to Geel. 3 APRIL 2024Soon in Geel - A guide for newcomers Address European Commission – Joint Research CentreRetieseweg 111, B-2440 Geel, Belgium.
Since 1960, the JRC in Geel has employed its unique scientific expertise to develop reference materials, measurements, methodologies and tools for EU policies. The site promotes standardisation and harmonisation across the European Union, while boosting innovation, competitiveness and protecting EU consumers and citizens. The JRC in Geel, which hosts about 230 employees, is located in the peaceful countryside of Flanders, 20 kilometres south of the Dutch border and 55 kilometres east of Antwerp.Experts at JRC Geel enjoy an international and collaborative environment, where they develop methodologies and tools that put science at the heart of EU policies.
The JRC in Geel brings together internationally recognised expertise in measurement sciences, standardisation and harmonisation. It develops and provides fit-for-purpose measurement methods, materials and guidelines to ensure the reliability of millions of measurements performed every single day in EU laboratories and worldwide.Scientists at the site work in specialised laboratories equipped with cutting-edge tools and technologies. Their work covers a wide range of activities: biotechnology, food and feed safety, food fraud detection, nanotechnology, nuclear safety, digital health, reference materials, threat detection, counter drone, aviation security and cancer screening diagnosis and care.
Joining the JRC in Geel provides a unique opportunity to work on cutting-edge scientific projects in a supportive, multicultural and motivating environment, with excellent working conditions and a wide range of services and opportunities, including:Language development: The JRC in Geel offers onsite language courses, enabling staff to expand their linguistic skills while working in a multilingual environment.Leisure and social activities: JRC staff and their families can join a variety of sports clubs and social activities, such as cooking classes, bowling, tennis, padel, and yoga, while enjoying a friendly atmosphere and making new connections.Educational opportunities: The nearby European School in Mol provides quality education to a diverse student body, from nursery to the European Baccalaureate level. Students thrive in a multicultural environment, forming international friendships.The JRC in Geel offers opportunities for scientific, technical, administrative and support staff. Explore open vacancies in Geel
The Citizens’ Forum is a pilot New European Bauhaus renovation and extension project of the conference building in JRC Geel, which has reached the end of its service life. The project prioritises retention, adaptation and material reuse, in alignment also with the Level(s) European Commission's framework.A planned call for tender will invite construction companies committed to innovation and sustainability to participate in this cutting-edge EU project. We are looking for forward-thinking partners to bring our vision to life. Discover the Citizens’ Forum project in JRC Geel
The JRC Geel site is strategically situated between the towns of Geel and Mol, approximately seven to eight kilometres away respectively, each with a population of around 23,000 residents.These tranquil towns offer a wide range of services and amenities for residents and visitors, including shopping streets, sports facilities, cinemas, cultural attractions, festivals, and more.The natural surroundings provide plenty of opportunities to recharge and relax, with a picturesque lake and charming beaches as an ideal background for social activities forging new friendships.
How to reach JRC GeelThe JRC in Geel benefits from excellent connectivity and access to major travel hubs, with nearby international airports in Brussels Zaventem, Brussels Charleroi, and Eindhoven. The most convenient airport to reach the site is Brussels Zaventem: from there, you can reach Geel by train.Geel also benefits from good road connections to major cities such as Antwerp, Brussels, Maastricht and Eindhoven in the Netherlands and Aachen in Germany. Other transport options include a public bus from the railway station of Mol to the JRC Geel site. For staff residing near Brussels, a carpooling team is available to ease commuting.
