Highly motivated tech with Chem/Eng degree wanted for lab management in circular chemistry research. Advance your career now!
You will be appointed at the Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials (AMIBM), which is part of the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE). There will be strong interactions with the Circular Chemical Engineering (CCE) institute. Embedded in both groups, you will be housed and do your daily work at the Brightlands-Chemelot Campus in Geleen (NL), where the labs of AMIBM are located.
As a Chemistry and Material Lab Technician Coordinator, you manage state-of-the-art equipment for synthesis and characterization of organic compounds and polymers. You are responsible for the maintenance and operation of various analytical equipment, such as gas and liquid chromatography, gel permeation chromatography, titration equipment, viscosimetry,, solvent drying equipment, nuclear magnetic resonance, FTIR spectroscopy, matrix assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry, as well as synthetic equipment like parallel synthesis equipment, glove boxes, various reactor types for polymerization, synthesis under microwave and flow conditions or under high-pressure. Besides various microscopy techniques, you master thermal, thermo-mechanical and mechanical analytical techniques like thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, and rheology with an eye on polymer processing technologies like extrusion, spinning, injection molding and additive manufacturing.
You support and instruct researchers and students with analytical questions and equipment handling as well as with synthetic and engineering problems. You are also involved in the design and construction of laboratory set-ups, protocols and help to translate ideas into practical, feasible solutions, always keeping a sharp eye on the safety aspects. You are responsible for keeping the equipment up-to-date and you get in touch with suppliers in case there are problems you cannot solve. This also includes the maintenance of standard lab equipment like vacuum pumps, cooling devices, glassware, LN2 dewars, rotavapors etc, and small-scale polymer processing equipment.
Management of the biobased monomers and polymers collections and database of our labs also belongs to your task. This includes ordering and stock management of chemicals and consumables, registration of chemicals in the central database, coordination of weekly lab cleaning, safety management and instructions, waste deposition, coordination with the glassblower, monitoring calibrations, etc.
From teaching point of view, you will take care of chemistry/engineering related lab sessions in bachelor programs as well as lab sessions on polymer, organic and plasma chemistry and coating technology in master programs in which our institutes are involved.
As an experienced lab member, you will also act as a coach for new PhD, master and bachelor students.
Furthermore, safety is an important part of your job description. You will need to ensure safe working conditions (i.e. conduct regular electrical inspections), provide first aid in the event of accidents, fight a small, starting fire, or alerting and evacuating employees and all other persons present on the premises in the event of an emergency.
Our current team of technicians consists of 5 fte, which all have more specific dedicated tasks at the individual research groups of both our institutes (CCE and AMIBM). The successful candidate may develop with time into a more senior person who, after a training period, has the competences (including the soft skills) to coordinate the activities of this team and that serves as the so-called “spider-in-the-web”.
Applications are welcome for a technician (HBO/WO-level) with a record of accomplishment in Chemistry and in Engineering that:
What we offer
As Chemistry and Material Lab Technician and/or Coordinator at Faculty of Science & Engineering, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you:
The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information,click here
Maastricht University
Why work at Maastricht University?
At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. The future of our students, as we work to equip them with a solid, broad-based foundation for the rest of their lives. And the future of society, as we seek solutions through our research to issues from all around the world. Our six faculties combined provide a comprehensive package of study programmes and research.
In our teaching, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Students work in small groups, looking for solutions to problems themselves. By discussing issues and working together to draw conclusions, formulate answers and present them to their peers, students develop essential skills for their future careers.
With over 22,300 students and more than 5,000 employees from all over the world, UM is home to a vibrant and inspiring international community.
Are you drawn to an international setting focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute however your skills and qualities allow? Our door is open to you! As a young European university, we value your talent and look forward to creating the future together.
Click here for more information about UM.
Faculty of Science and Engineering
At the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE), we focus on themes such as circularity and sustainability, future farming, digitisation and (scientific) instrument development.??FSE's leading projects, like the Einstein Telescope Pathfinder, are sure to grab anyone's attention.??The faculty is a vibrant hub of education and research in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS).??At FSE, over 450 staff members and 3700 students gather to explore e exciting interdisciplinary research and educational programmes. Feel welcome, be part of our team and put your brilliant mind to work!?
FSE at the Brightlands Campuses?
Maastricht, Sittard-Geleen, Heerlen, and Venlo, the home of four creative Brightlands campuses, are bustling with 30,000 entrepreneurs, researchers, and students working diligently to solve global challenges. The Faculty of Science and Engineering is active on all four Brightlands campuses, and this is where our impact reaches its peak. To give you an idea of what is happening at each campus: Sittard-Geleen is home to the largest chemical site in the Euregion, while Venlo is a large hub for agri-food innovation. Maastricht is the site of the Health Campus, and Heerlen is the place to be for Smart Services.?
Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials/ Circular Chemical Engineering
The Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials (AMIBM) and Circular Chemical Engineering (CCE) are both departments of the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) at Maastricht University (UM), located on the Brightlands Chemelot Campus in Geleen.
AMIBM is a European, cross-border, research institute focusing on the development of advanced biobased materials. AMIBM designs, creates and translates biobased molecules, processes and materials into applications that outperform in functionality and sustainability for better living. In its research offered by transdisciplinary competence teams facilitated by state-of-the-art research infrastructure, AMIBM strengthens every step in the value chain from biobased molecules, processes and materials into applications as well as the value chain as a whole by developing a common language and methodology between all experts from biotechnology, polymer chemistry and physics, material science and engineering, fibre and medical technology, and sustainability.
In its transition to a circular economy, society seeks new solutions to reduce its consumption of primary (fossil) feedstock. These are limited, their products damage the environment when being disposed of as waste, and their utilisation for energy production causes global warming. CCE’s main research lines address such feedstock reduction: circular plastics by mechanical recycling and plasma chemistry for electrification of industrial processes. CCE provides education on these themes via the bachelor's programme Circular Engineering, which aims to educate new generations of engineers that can provide such solutions.
AMIBM and CCE are both embedded in a lively, entrepreneurial, and creative working environment at the Brightlands Chemelot Campus (BCC) in Geleen (the Netherlands), one of the largest chemical and materials communities in Europe.
Click herefor more information about AMIBM.
Click here for more information about CCE.
Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Romano Orrù (r.orru@maastrichtuniversity.nl) or Gerard van Rooij (g.vanrooij@maastrichtuniversity.nl) for more information.
Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new Chemistry Education and Research Technician? Apply now, no later than 31-03-2024 for this position. The first interviews preferably take place from mid April onwards. The second interviews will preferably be held end of April 2024.
The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.
Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.