Do you want to contribute professionally to a sustainable future, as a scientist and project leader? Are you skilled in organic or polymer chemistry and eager to explore the potential of biomass as feedstock for fossil-free products? When yes, our team is looking for you!

We are looking for an enthusiastic researcher/project leader Organic- and Polymer Chemistry to complement our group Sustainable Chemistry & Technology. Annually, we perform dozens of research projects, each of which is staffed with a dedicated team of scientists and led by a matching project leader. Together, we contribute to sustainable solutions for global problems like those associated with non-biodegradable chemicals and plastics'.

Your work will be:

• Performing research on organic chemistry, converting biomass or CO2 into value added chemicals. The synthesis and characterization of monomers, and the polymerisation products thereof are important targets. Desk- and lab research are intertwined elements of your work. You set up, perform and interpret experiments with a high level of autonomy, but stay in close contact with other team members to ensure optimal progress;
• you lead projects in the areas outlined above. You rely on the collective knowledge among your team members, and they rely on your managerial and personal skills to forge an effective team and workplan. Internally, you achieve project goals on time and within budget, with a keen eye for opportunities for personal growth of team members. Externally, customer contact and the reporting & presentation of results are important elements of your work;
• as the intended project leader, you are involved in the acquisition phase of new projects. Your role in this process is to translate the customer's requirements into a concrete, realistic and safe project plan and budget;
• polymer research is highly multidisciplinary, crossing boundaries between the molecular and material sciences. You act as a linking pin towards colleagues that formulate and process polymers into actual plastic products;
• non-confidential results are disseminated via publications, posters and lectures at conferences. Depending on your projects, you contribute here too.

In our expertise group Sustainable Chemistry, cutting edge applied research is performed in which organic- and polymer chemistry are core tools to produce an array of biobased chemicals and polymers. By combining these and other conversion technologies, like biocatalysis and fermentation, we bring a truly circular economy and fossil-free, CO2-neutral future closer.

As a researcher / project leader, you are an excellent motivator and communicator and an effective team player. Besides that, we ask:

• A BSc in chemistry, supplemented by an MSc specialisation in organic chemistry, chemical technology or polymer chemistry;
• concrete experience with polymer chemistry is a major plus. Alternatively, you are able and eager to quickly learn this expertise;
• well-developed conceptual skills. You 'think' in molecular structures and reactions, and are capable of connecting these to product properties;
• proficiency in the English language, both written and orally (CEFRL level C1), and strong reporting skills. Knowledge of the Dutch language is not a precondition;
• an organised and result-oriented work attitude;
• a flexible and stress resistant personality. This enables you to work on multiple projects simultaneously, as is common in our institute;
• preferably 2 years working experience, ideally in an R&D environment.

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

• Working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• the option to accrue additional holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• sabbatical leave, study leave, and paid parental leave;
• 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 4%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. We offer, depending on your experience, a competitive gross salary of between € 2836,- and € 5268,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 10-11). Additionally, a contract for 0.8 FTE can be discussed.

Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a multi-faceted 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 16th 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.

Wageningen University & Research

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 Best Employer in the Education category for 2019-2020.

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

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.