Heeren obtained a PhD degree in Technical Physics at the University of Amsterdam in 1992 under the supervision of Aart Kleyn.

He led a FOM-AMOLF research group on macromolecular ion physics and biomolecular imaging mass spectrometry (1995–2014).

[1] Heeren’s academic research interests are fundamental studies of the energetics of macromolecular systems, conformational studies of non-covalently bound protein complexes, translational imaging research, high-throughput bioinformatics, and the development and validation of new mass spectrometry–based proteomic imaging techniques for the life sciences.

[5][6] As a project leader (1995–1997), Heeren led the application of high-resolution MS (FTICR-MS, FTIR imaging spectroscopy and SIMS) to the field of conservation science.

He discovered and identified saponified pigment particulates in so-called protrusions in Rembrandt’s “The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp” in collaboration with the Mauritshuis museum in The Hague.