#TPRCminds | Rens
Business Developer & SRA
'The opportunities I was given here made me decide to stay'
At TPRC, Rens Pierik experiences something surprising every day. At the end of last year, he received his doctorate with honors after a four-year trajectory as a PhD student. He then took the step to become a business developer. He feels right at home in this new role: ‘The academic and industrial sides of work come together organically – for me, this makes TPRC and UT the ideal place to work.’
Read other #TPRCminds interviews.
In an earlier episode of TPRC Minds, Rens already talked about his PhD research. Together with fellow PhD student Dennis Brands, he focused on the PERFECT project, which stands for press forming without defects. The two of them spent the first four years of their careers predicting and gaining a better understanding of defects in the press forming process. Successfully so, because their research found its way into numerous innovations within the TPRC consortium. ‘They were intense and incredibly instructive years’, says Rens, looking back. ‘We had a lot of freedom and were mainly dependent on ourselves and each other. You have to be able to handle that kind of individuality. You really have to have a passion for research and a strong sense of intrinsic motivation. It was tough at times, but I am proud of the result and look back on a rewarding and educational process.’
Was it immediately clear that you would stay at TPRC?
‘No, it wasn’t. With a career coach, I looked at who I am, what my motivations are, and most importantly: what I thought my future should look like. I took the time to thoroughly explore fundamental research positions at various companies and research institutes. That was insightful, but in the end, I realized that I didn’t want to stay immersed in fundamental research. I wanted to zoom out more, take a broader perspective – and that’s precisely what’s possible at TPRC. My current position opened up. It turned out to be a great fit, and it came at the perfect time for me.’
What exactly does this broader role entail?
‘I now call myself a business developer. This means I’m still working on fundamental research, but I’m also maintaining contact with our partners. I look at TPRC’s broader strategic direction. What makes TPRC so unique is how the academic and industrial sides come together organically. That’s where I play a role: I help our partners solve their challenges in the field of thermoplastic composites, and I ensure that our expertise is applied in the best possible way. In addition to conducting public research, we also carry out bilateral projects with our partners, and I’m right in the middle of it all.’
What kind of projects are we talking about?
‘My work started with press forming and the associated friction problems, but now I also focus on other projects, such as induction welding, quality improvement in welding processes, material characterization for simulations, Automated Fiber Placement (AFP), and injection overmolding. Additionally, I organize TPRC courses, which not only brings me into contact with our regular partners but also with people outside that network. Another logical part of my job is finding new partners and projects. When a request comes in, I start the conversation by asking: What is the problem? What do you want to solve? And how can we assist?’
You also supervise PhD students and master’s students. How is that?
‘The great thing about doing a PhD is that it’s not just about research, but also about personal development – especially when you also have to adjust to a new cultural environment. Being patient, showing perseverance, and being able to present your work – you learn all of that. I see a lot of my own experience reflected in our students’ journeys, especially when experiments don’t work out right away. Being resilient and a bit opportunistic is useful.
When I got my PhD, I really had to learn to put things into perspective: not everything will go right at once. That realization still helps me in my current work. I hope I can also reassure the new generation of PhD students at TPRC – that things will work out, and that they need to stay resilient and flexible at the right moments. During my PhD, I wrote down a quote from Laozi: ‘The way is ever without action, yet nothing is left undone.' I still think that’s a great thought.’
Do you see yourself at TPRC for a long time?
‘Absolutely. I still see plenty of opportunities here to develop myself, especially in my new role, by broadening my network and gaining new skills. That, combined with being part of our team, makes this a dream job for me.
On paper, I’m the only business developer at the moment, but it doesn’t feel that way. What we do is a team effort. Sebastiaan Wijskamp and Vanessa Marinosci, our general manager and technical director, also play a significant role in this area. I’m also not alone in setting up bilateral projects with partners. We coordinate these efforts internally with our engineering manager, Lazlo Giesgen, and our laboratory manager, Lars Niens. Together with the customer, we establish the envisioned research project.
I experience the team spirit and the fact that I can make a real impact for our partners. At the same time, due to TPRC’s flat organizational structure and work culture, I still enjoy a lot of freedom in how I do my job, just like I did during my PhD research. In short, this provides a healthy balance that makes me feel at home here.’
Our series #TPRCminds introduces you to the people behind our success. Who are they? What is their background? What drives them and what do they dream about? How do they look at the future of thermoplastic composites? Continue reading other #TPRCminds episodes:
Photos ©Gijs van Ouwerkerk
