Two research directions constitute the starting point for our postdoctoral project. We are looking for a candidate with a technical background to perform research in one of these directions:
(1) The development of a gas sensor, particularly targeting volatiles in exhaled breath (e.g. methane and hydrogen cyanide) using optical schemes based on laser spectroscopy. This work may involve collaboration with Alpes Lasers (Neuchatel, Switzerland) and Argos Med, Karlsruhe (Germany). Responsibilities and tasks include the development of a gas sensor for application in miniaturised systems (i.e. lab-on-a-chip); expertise in only using commercial sensors is therefore not sufficient.
(2) The use of proton-transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-TOF-MS) to support and complement (1) multicomponent volatile detection and validation of the gas sensors developed within the project. Responsibilities and tasks include the measurement of the exhaled volatiles using PTR-TOF-MS. Both directions also require data acquisition, analysis and interpretation.

• PhD degree in physics or a related discipline.
• Prior experimental experience with gas sensing (or PTR-TOF-MS) and data acquisition.
• Programming skills (MatLab, Lab view).
• Fluency in English is required.
• A good knowledge of gas sensing, (laser) spectroscopy, miniaturised sensing systems (lab-on-a chip), lock-in techniques, sensor acquisition programming (for the first research direction) or a good knowledge of using PTR-TPF-MS for breath analysis and data analysis and interpretation (for the second research direction).

Fixed-term contract: 2 years.

• Employment: 32 - 40 hours per week.
• A maximum gross monthly salary of € 4,402 based on a 38-hour working week (salary scale 10).
• The exact salary depends on the candidate's qualifications and amount of relevant professional experience.
• In addition to the salary: an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• Duration of the contract: 2 years.
• You will be able to make use of our Dual Career Service: our Dual Career Officer will assist with family-related support, such as child care, and help your partner prepare for the local labour market and with finding an occupation.
• Are you interested in our excellent employment conditions?

We want to get the best out of science, others and ourselves. Why? Because this is what the world around us desperately needs. Leading research and education make an indispensable contribution to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. This is what unites the more than 22,000 students and 5,000 employees at Radboud University. And this requires even more talent, collaboration and lifelong learning. You have a part to play!

Faculteit der Natuurwetenschappen, Wiskunde & Informatica

The position is available within the Exhaled Biomarkers and Exposure group that is part of the Department of Molecular and Laser Physics at the Institute for Molecules and Materials (IMM), Faculty of Science. We focus on monitoring real-time signatures of metabolic processes in the human body reflected in exhaled breath and unravelling their mechanisms of action. For this, we develop and use laser-based spectroscopy systems for detecting targeted volatile compounds and apply mass spectrometry for detecting both targeted and untargeted compounds. The postdoctoral project will bring you into contact with a broad network across a wide variety of technologies, providing a broad interdisciplinary experience within a collaborative academic, governmental and commercial environment. The H2020-SFS-2018-2020, “Fact-based personalised nutrition for the young – Nutrishield” project is such an environment. NUTRISHIELD aims at creating a personalised platform for the young. The platform will consist of novel methods and techniques, which analyse a wide range of biomarkers related to nutrition and health disorders in children.

The IMM is an interdisciplinary research institute in chemistry and physics at Radboud University. IMM's mission is to perform fundamental and user-driven research to understand, design and control the functioning of molecules and materials and to train the next generation of leaders in science and entrepreneurship to the highest international standards. You will have the opportunity to interact with researchers at the IMM and participate in institute-wide activities.