Electron microscopy allows visualization of the molecular details of life. In view of their expansion the cryo-EM and CSC groups are seeking a highly-qualified analyst to strengthen and expand their technical support and training for electron microscopy. As the successful applicant you have strong organizational skills and enjoy working in a dynamic and international environment with Researchers at all stages of their careers. In addition, you have good communication skills and you are willing to learn new techniques. You will be encouraged to take responsibility for your work while still being flexible and sensitive to the changing needs of those around you. You bring a strong background in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and experience with both room temperature and cryogenic samples. You also have a good working knowledge of TEM hardware to support user training and troubleshooting, including standard microscope alignments and technical aspects of data collection.

This position can offer you a diverse and interesting mix of responsibilities, such as:

• the training and support of users in their TEM experiments as part of the research group and in close collaboration with the EM facility staff;
• managing supply inventories and contributing to the daily affairs of the laboratory as part of the team;
• the implementation of safety regulations and ensuring these are adhered to;
• staying up-to-date of existing techniques and implementation of new research techniques as needed;
• contributing to research projects of the cryo-EM group and their collaborators.

You will be actively supported to develop your microscopy and managerial skills.

We are looking for a dedicated and positive new colleague to complement our team, both on a professional and personal level, and who has:

• a hlo/hbo degree or equivalent in Molecular Biology/Physics/Biochemistry or a related field;
• good communication skills in English (in speaking and writing);
• experience in transmission electron microscopy sample preparation and data collection (considered a plus);
• prior experience in providing training (preferred).

• the opportunity to work in an ambitious and expanding team of skilled scientists;
• a position (0.8 - 1.0 FTE) for one year with the possibility of an extension (upon a positive evaluation);
• a full-time gross salary ranging from €2,656 to €4,402 in scale 8-10;
• benefits including 8% holiday bonus and 8.3% end-of-year bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, and flexible employment conditions based on the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities (cao).

In addition to the employment conditions laid down in the cao for Dutch Universities, Utrecht University has a number of its own arrangements. For example, there are agreements on professional development, leave arrangements and sports. We also give you the opportunity to expand your terms of employment yourself via the Employment Conditions Selection Model. This is how we like to encourage you to continue to grow.

More information about working at the Faculty of Science can be found here.

The cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and the Crystal and Structural Chemistry (CSC) groups study the structures and functions of proteins and their assemblies. A highly interdisciplinary team, covering biochemistry, cell biology, biophysics and computational sciences elucidates the inner workings of the cell by investigating molecules in isolated form as well as in their cellular environment. The cryo-EM and CSC groups are embedded in the Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research of the Department of Chemistry. This position will also have extensive contact with the core EM Square facility that houses the electron microscopes and serves multiple departments within the university.

The Department of Chemistry at Utrecht University in the Netherlands is renowned as a world class centre of excellence and innovation in both research and education, fully resourced and equipped with state-of-the-art technological platforms. Our approach is characterized by a connected, open and can-do spirit that stimulates personal initiative and curiosity.

At the Faculty of Science there are 6 departments to make a fundamental connection with: Biology, Chemistry, Information and Computing Sciences, Mathematics, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Physics. Each of these is made up of distinct institutes which work together to focus on answering some of humanity’s most pressing problems. More fundamental still are the individual research groups – the building blocks of our ambitious scientific projects.

Utrecht University is a friendly and ambitious university at the heart of an ancient city. We love to welcome new scientists to our city – a thriving cultural hub that is consistently rated as one of the world’s happiest cities. We are renowned for our innovative interdisciplinary research and our emphasis on inspirational research and excellent education. We are equally well-known for our familiar atmosphere and the can-do attitude of our people. This fundamental connection attracts Researchers, Professors and PhD candidates from all over the globe, making both the university and the Faculty of Science a vibrant international and wonderfully diverse community.