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 hosts about 230 employees, including highly qualified experts such as scientists and researchers. The site is located in the peaceful countryside of Flanders, 20 kilometres south of the Dutch border and 55 kilometres east of Antwerp.
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 laboratoryThe 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 laboratoryThe 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 laboratoryThis development and processing facility produces Certified reference materials to anticipate, support, and implement European legislation.
Nuclear reference material and measurement facilityThis 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 laboratoriesThese 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 laboratoriesThese laboratories are a cluster of selected instruments for both the radiological characterisation of materials and high accuracy radioactivity measurements.
Tandem accelerator based fast neutron sourceA neutron time-of-flight facility focusing on the measurement of nuclear resonance parameters which are crucial for understanding nuclear reactions and materials’ behavior.
JRC neutron time-of-Flight facilityThe 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 spectrometryJRC 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 the JRC in 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 high quality multilingual 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.
About Geel and Mol
The JRC in Geel is not only a great place to work, but also a great place to live. The 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 countryside towns offer a wide range of services and amenities for residents and visitors, including shopping streets, sports facilities, and cultural attractions such as cinemas, concerts, and festivals.
The natural surroundings of forest, lakes, and nature, provide plenty of opportunities to relax and stay active by hiking, cycling and doing water sports. The picturesque and charming beaches nearby are the ideal background for social activities forging new friendships.
The 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.