Project Officer at the European Defence Fund within the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS), where he evaluates and manages strategic investments in innovation, dual-use technologies, and advanced materials.

Before joining the Commission, Gijsbert held senior positions in the steel and glass industries, founded a strategic advisory firm, and contributed to EU-level initiatives on critical raw materials. With a background in raw materials processing and computational modelling, his work spans R&D leadership, regulatory compliance, and technology scale-up. Throughout his career, he has worked at the intersection of technology development and policy, gaining hands-on insight into how public funding and industrial strategy can support innovation and competitiveness in deep-tech sectors.