He returned to The Netherlands to work as a senior research chemist for Akzo Research Laboratories (now
Akzo Nobel). \ After 12 years in this role, van Ooij returned to the United States first as a visiting professor in the Department of Materials Engineering at
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, and later at the Colorado School of Mines as a professor of chemistry. He then was employed for 4 years at Armco Research & Technologies (now
AK Steel) as head of the Corrosion Group. He joined the Department of Materials Science and Engineering faculty in
University of Cincinnati's College of Engineering in 1993. During his career, he published approximately 350 scientific and technical publications, and he obtained 30 U.S. and 38 European patents. in 1987, van Ooij was a founding editor of the scientific journal
Journal of Adhesion Science and Technology. He was the Chief Technology Officer for
Ecosil Technologies, a startup founded with Max Sorenson and David Fairbourn that has become a leader in the application of
silane surface treatments for
corrosion protection of metals. His inventions enabled the replacement of
chromate and
phosphate systems in metallic surface treatment lines, and were recognized by the US EPA for their significant impact on eliminating toxic and cancer-causing processes. ==Awards==