The Analytical Chemistry Group, part of the Van't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS) is looking for a postdoctoral researcher in FFF - nanoplastics analysis.

What are you going to do?

You will work as an independent researcher in a team focusing on the development and application of field flow fraction (FFF) techniques for nanoparticles analyses with a focus on nanoplastics (environmental and biological matrices). Developing tools for the analysis of nanosized plastics and studying their interactions with other (macro)molecules by asymmetrical-FFF (AF4) will be your main objective. Mass spectrometry will be used for identification and quantitation purposes.  You will work within a team of scientists to conduct both collaborative research in addition to your own research to develop both sample preparation and separation methods. As a team member you will propose and carry out new developments that improve the analytical capacity of our research. In addition to your research, you will be expected to train and teach internal and external researchers (students, trainees and collaborators) in the use of our AF4, MS and allied methods and participate in research discussions, including own research involvement.

You are expected to:

• Work independently and be active in the applied research involving FFF and MS techniques with a focus on nanoplastics analysis;
• take over part of the responsibilities of the vacancy holder and work independently on agreed tasks in the absence of your supervisor (away for 4-5 months);
• (co-)supervise PhD students and junior scientists;
• publish in high level international journals, and present at leading conferences;
• be open to collaborations with other institutes and/or companies by contributing to (joint) research project;
• exhibit the highest degree of reliability and accuracy to assure high-quality data;
• adhere strictly to the research-integrity, laboratory-safety and data-management regulations of the institute.

What do we require?

• At least two years work experience;
• a PhD in (Analytical) Chemistry;
• a strong scientific expertise in FFF;
• experience and/or affinity with the acquisition and managing of research projects;
• excellent communication, organization, and time management skills;
• self-motivation, enthusiasm, ambition and good networking capabilities;
• good communication skills in the English language.

Demonstrated experience in mass spectrometry is a plus and demonstrated experience with nanoparticle analysis is a particular advantage.

Applications from candidates who do not meet any one of these requirements will not be considered.

Fixed-term contract: 1 year.

Our offer

We offer a temporary contract for 38 hours a week, preferably starting on 1 june 2021 for the duration of 12 months. The salary, depending on relevant experience before the beginning of the employment contract, will be €2,790 to €4,402 (scale 10) gross per month, based on a fulltime contract (38 hours a week). This is exclusive 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

Are you curious about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits like our excellent opportunities for study and development? Take a look here.

University of Amsterdam

With over 5,000 employees, 30,000 students and a budget of more than 600 million euros, the University of Amsterdam (UvA) is an intellectual hub within the Netherlands. Teaching and research at the UvA are conducted within seven faculties: Humanities, Social and Behavioural Sciences, Economics and Business, Law, Science, Medicine and Dentistry. Housed on four city campuses in or near the heart of Amsterdam, where disciplines come together and interact, the faculties have close links with thousands of researchers and hundreds of institutions at home and abroad.  

The UvA’s students and employees are independent thinkers, competent rebels who dare to question dogmas and aren’t satisfied with easy answers and standard solutions. To work at the UvA is to work in an independent, creative, innovative and international climate characterised by an open atmosphere and a genuine engagement with the city of Amsterdam and society.

To work at the University of Amsterdam is to work in a discerning, independent, creative, innovative and international climate characterized by an open atmosphere and a genuine engagement with the city of Amsterdam and society. Here you can read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

Faculty of Science and the Van ‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 7,000, as well as 1,600 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

The Van't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS) is one of eight institutes of the University of Amsterdam (UvA) Faculty of Science. HIMS performs internationally recognized chemistry and molecular research, curiosity driven as well as application driven. This is done in close cooperation with the chemical, flavour & food, medical and high-tech industries. Research is organized into four themes: Synthesis & Catalysis, Analytical Chemistry, Computational Chemistry and Molecular Photonics.

The Analytical Chemistry Group focuses on the development of new or greatly improved techniques or methods for the analysis of complex mixtures. The technical focus is on one- and two-dimensional separation methods, on hyphenation with detection and sample-preparation systems and on chemometric techniques for data handling and optimization. The application focus is on macromolecules, forensic science and a variety of other fields. The analytical techniques used include liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, field-flow fractionation, mass spectrometry and chemometrics. Key applications include composition of complex (co-)polymers, characterization of long-chain branching in polymers, nanoparticles, degradation of biomaterials, diagnosis of tuberculosis, the profiling of explosives and flame accelerants and studies of degradation markers in the art conservation field.