Instrument Scientist for Small Angle Neutron Scattering

Join us in enabling groundbreaking research, contributing to world-class education, and become the acknowledged national expert in the field of small angle neutron scattering at TU Delft.

You will oversee the optimal scientific utilization of the Small Angle Neutron Scattering instrument (SANS) at the TU Delft Reactor Institute. This includes training and supporting a diverse user base, encompassing MSc and PhD students, postdocs, professors, and industry R&D experts. Your responsibilities will extend to interpreting the scientific significance of measurements, advising users on sample preparation and data analysis, and engaging in discussions regarding their findings. Collaborating closely with users and instrument technicians, you will tailor the instrument to enhance experiment outcomes. Each day, you facilitate groundbreaking research across various domains, from battery and colloid systems to in situ measurements for meat replacements. Additionally, as the lead scientist for SANS, you will assist professors in crafting research grant proposals, ensuring instrument availability and optimal experimental configurations

In addition, you will continuously develop SANS to improve its quality in terms of resolution, e.g. by introducing a better shielding design to reduce background, accuracy and measurement speed. You will also develop bespoke sample environments and optimize SANS’s computer control systems. And you’ll be promoting our facility in the global scientific community, speaking at conferences about the latest developments, organizing workshops, and writing articles. As you’re building your expert reputation, you’ll also be building and maintaining a network of universities, research institutes and leading manufacturers in the Netherlands, showing them the value of SANS for their R&D. As a rule of thumb, about 15% of the beam time is available for instrument development and possibilities to conduct own research.

You will work closely with a motivated and skilled team of technicians, who are responsible for and support you with the technical status of the instrument, and your fellow instrument scientists in our Instrument Group. We share a drive to educate engineering students and support groundbreaking research using our 2.3 MW open pool research reactor. Fostering an approachable and friendly culture, we share knowledge and bounce off ideas to create the best possible solutions in a safe environment. This also means getting to know the other instruments, as techniques and applications often overlap. Of course, you will get all the training and support you need to reach your full potential and grow in your expert role.  

• You hold a PhD in a subject related to physical science, life science, engineering or another relevant field.
• You have extensive experience of small angle neutron scattering gained in previous research and development roles, in-depth knowledge of the potential of the technique and a drive to learn all there is to know about SANS for development and optimization.
• You have a keen interest in the other techniques and instruments used at the Delft Reactor Institute, to harness the full potential of our facilities for our users and build the best possible solutions as a team.
• You have a drive to contribute to research and education, and become the acknowledged expert in the field of SANS.
• You harness your communication and social skills to interact with users whom you’ll train, support and advise.
• You enjoy building and maintaining a network of potential users, focusing on strengthening the radiation-related research capabilities of the Dutch academic world and industry in particular.
• You have a good command of English as you will be working in an international community and supporting students and researchers from across the globe.  

• A salary based on scale 11 of the collective agreement (CAO) for Dutch Universities between € 4.332,00 and € 5.929,00 gross per month, plus an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• An excellent pension scheme at ABP.
• The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year.
• Health insurance discounts.
• A flexible working week.
• 232 hours of annual leave (based on a 38-hour working week). Your individual choice budget allows you to buy additional hours, or sell surplus hours.
• An extensive education and training offering.
• Partially paid parental leave.
• Access to our Health Coach Programme stimulating healthy working and vitality.

Read more about working at TU Delft.

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

The TU Delft| Reactor Institute is the Dutch knowledge center for nuclear technology and radiation-related research and education. It manages a unique research reactor (2.3 MW), irradiation facilities and radiation-related research instruments. The TU Delft |Reactor Institute facilitates researchers and users of various research disciplines. Its research focuses mainly on materials for energy conversion and storage, and health technology for imaging, diagnosis and therapy with radionuclides and protons. It provides education to students from various programs within TU Delft, and professionals.

We offer a one-year contract for 32-40 hours a week (1 fte), which we intent to convert into a permanent contract.

If you would you like to know more about this role, please contact Jeroen Plomp, [Head of instrument Group] at [+31634575624] or [[email protected]].

Are you our new SANS Instrument Scientist? Upload your motivation and CV using the application button below before [10-05-2024]. Please address your application to Jeroen Plomp [Head of instrument group]. The initial interviews will take place in May/June 2024.