MESA+ NanoLab is seeking a research technician in the field of surface analysis, with focus on X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS).

Job description
The primary area of responsibility will be operating and handling the XPS equipment. This includes serving as the primary point of contact with users of XPS and auxiliary equipment, perform scheduled maintenance and alignments, order and monitor use of supplies, perform troubleshooting to ensure efficient functionality, providing training/answering questions in surface analysis and imaging techniques, sample preparation, and overall user supervision.

Other activities include reviewing and implementing best practices and standard operating procedures, teaching and advising users on the accurate use of equipment from a procedural standpoint, and on the underlying physics of the various techniques and ensuring compliance with Institute policies, scientific protocols, regulatory agencies and safety practices.

We invite the candidate to participate in research activities and writing articles, promote MESA+NanoLab's mission and work with external parties and service engineers to ensure quick, detailed and effective responses.
We are looking for a candidate that takes initiative to improve work processes that affect the functions of the primary area; anticipates problems and works proactively to resolve them, finds ways to exploit the present and future possibilities of XPS for the benefit of research and commercial interest and organizes regular XPS User Meetings.

You have acquired a PhD or MSc in either in Physics, Chemistry, Material Science or Engineering with experience in materials characterization and shown affinity with surface analysis techniques and equipment.

You also have customer service/user training experience.

A strong advantage is experience in analytical chemistry, with working knowledge of characterization techniques such as secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Auger electron spectroscopy, High Resolution low Voltage SEM, Cathodoluminescence, EDX, EBSD, XRD, LEIS, RBS, AFM, and with semiconductor materials and/or ancillary technical experience. Also familiarity with the basics of nanofabrication processes and instrumentation - particularly related to lithography, etching, and deposition - is helpful but not necessary.

Required skills:

• Highly proficient in listening and communicating with students, staff, faculty, and vendors and excellent written communication skills.
• Strong analysis and judgment skills.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team and maintain a dedicated and flexible mindset.
• Computer literate, high level of accuracy and detail oriented.
• Able to perform modelling, simulations in XPS; knowledge of programming would be an advantage.
• Able to balance multiple functions at the same time.
• Excellent time management, maintain good organizational skills.
   

The university provides a dynamic ecosystem with hardworking colleagues in which internationalization is an important part of the strategic agenda.

The position is for 32-40 hours and initially for one year. Before the end of the contract, you will be subject to a job performance evaluation. If positive and the circumstances of the organization remain the same, the contract may be converted into a permanent contract.

The terms of employment are in accordance with the Dutch Collective Labour Agreement for Universities (CAO-NU), and include a gross monthly salary between € 2.920,- and € 4.012,- based on education and relevant work experience. It also includes a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, a year-end bonus of 8.3%, a minimum of 29 leave days in case of fulltime employment, professional and personal development programs and a good retirement fund.

The MESA+ Institute is a leading nanotechnology research institute. We focus on key enabling technologies (KETs) - photonics, fluidics, hard materials, soft materials and devices, combined with responsible research & innovation - and the convergence of these to realize disruptive innovations in the areas of most societal challenges. Our main contributions are on the Health, ICT and Sustainability areas.
The open access character of MESA+ NanoLab for research groups and companies has closely intertwined units: the Analysis Group and the Cleanroom.

Research and Analysis on the nanometer scale require laboratories with extreme specifications. The NanoLab building is constructed to meet such high standards.  Any adverse influencing effects from the environment, such as vibration and electromagnetic disturbances, are virtually non-existent. The environmental conditions inside the building, such as temperature, humidity and the influence of light are extremely stable.