PhD in Physical/Analytical Chemistry

Do you have research experience in electrical sensing and/or polymer or surface chemistry? Do you have a good sense for how you work out your own ideas to meet project goals and establish bridges with adjacent disciplines? Would you like to pursue a career in academia where you can add value to the quality of life?Then we are looking for you!

What are you going to do?
You will work on a project funded by the Dutch Research Council, aimed to explore the use of new polymer materials for ion sensing purposes. Such sensors are relevant for inline water quality monitoring, e.g. in the agrotechnical, horticultural and food sectors where currently samples are taken to the lab.
You will synthesise and characterize new polymer materials and integrate them in affinity coatings onto microfabrication electrical sensor devices to increase stability, reduce drift, reduce fouling and reduce interference of the ion sensors. The project will be performed in collaboration with OnePlanet Research Center and two industrial partners. Most of the work will be performed in the laboratories of Organic Chemistry (Helix) and OnePlanet (Plus Ultra II), which are both on the campus of Wageningen University & Research, only 500 meters away from each other.

Key activities will be:

• Preparation and characterization of polymer materials before applying them in affinity coatings onto sensor surfaces and model substrates;
• Perform electrical sensor experiments with these modified sensors, with a focus on mixed-ion solution analyses;
• Characterize the coatings in terms of their physiochemical stability and fouling properties.

• You have an MSc degree in Analytical Chemistry, Molecular (Life) Sciences, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or comparable curriculum;
• A strong molecular background (physical organic, synthetic organic, organic materials) as well as strong analytical and problem-solving abilities are essential;
• Hands-on experience with electrical sensor technology and/or polymer or surface chemistry is highly desired;
• Your ability to perform independent lab work, affinity for the collaborative nature of this project, and good written and oral communication skills in English are crucial for their successful development.

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment . A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• study leave and partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed December bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.

The gross salary for the first year is € 2.443,- per month rising to € 3.122,- in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well.

There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the “ Best University ” in the Netherlands for the 17th consecutive time.

Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees. Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may qualify for a special tax relief , known as the 30% ruling. Our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling, and other issues.

DO YOU WANT MORE INFORMATION?
For more information about this function you can contact Louis de Smet, telephone +31 (0)317 481268 or by e-mail: [email protected] .
For more information about the procedure you can contact Rutger Voorrips, recruiter, by email: [email protected]

Do you want to apply?
This can be done directly via the application button at the vacancy on our website so that we can process your personal data with your permission. Please note that applications via e-mail will not be taken in procedure. Please mention in your motivational letter why you are the best candidate for this project, and why this specific project is interesting to you. Your experience is what we want to see in your resume.

This vacancy is open until April 14th 2022. We want to plan the first job interviews shortly after that date.

Equal opportunities
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) employs a large number of people with very different backgrounds and qualities, who inspire and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organisation and be offered the same career opportunities. We therefore especially welcome applications from people who are underrepresented at WUR. For more information please go to our inclusivity page . A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment .

This PhD position falls under the Organic Chemistry group. CLICK HERE for more info about our work and use THIS LINK  to learn more on the subgroup of Advanced Materials for Chemical Selectivity. 

The mission of Wageningen University and Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment.

With its roughly 30 branches, 6.800 employees and 12.900 students, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of Wageningen’s unique approach. WUR has been named the best university of the Netherlands by students for the 17th time in a row.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video to get an idea of our green campus!