Are you interested in cutting edge fundamental research? Are you looking for a job in an innovative environment? Have you purified proteins with an FPLC? We have a vacancy research technician in our laboratory of biochemistry.
We are looking for a highly motivated, pro-active research technician with experience in FPLC-based protein (e.g. ÄKTA) purification. You will work closely with BSc/MSc thesis students, PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers in the group to support their research by expressing and purifying nucleic acid-interacting proteins and performing functional assays.

What are you going to do?
As research technician you will be supporting PhD students and postdoctoral researchers with their research projects. An example is the design and optimization of protein purification and functional assays. You will do this by using a FPLC system. Based on your experience you might also design and carry out enzyme activity experiments (mostly fluorescence-based).

Research in the 'Protein structure and function' research group led by Dr. Daan Swarts, focusses on the functional, structural and mechanistic characterisation of protein complexes that control prokaryotic immunity. Your team consists of 6 PhD candidates and 1 other research technician and Dr. Daan Swarts. The Protein structure and function group is embedded in the Laboratory of Biochemistry, an international, multidisciplinary, and vibrant research group at Wageningen University.

For the functional and mechanistic characterization of nucleic acid-interacting proteins we use a wide range of techniques ranging from various spectroscopic techniques (e.g. fluorimeter, FCS, UV-CD, SEC-MALS) to structural biology (e.g. X-ray crystallography, modelling, MD simulations).

ob requirements:

• work experience in protein purification using an FPLC (e.g. ÄKTA);
• bachelor of (applied) Sciences, Master of Science, or PhD level (work experience with an FPLC is more important);
• work experience in protein expression (for example in Escherichia coli);
• solid understanding of protein biochemistry and purification strategies;
• ability to work in an international and multidisciplinary research team;
• good oral and written communication skills in English (level C1).

Nice-to-haves (not strict requirements):

• basic knowledge of (fluorescence) spectroscopy (e.g. fluorimeter, FCS, UV-CD, SEC-MALS);
• basic knowledge of structural biology (e.g. modelling, X-ray crystallography, cryoEM, MD simulations);
• oral and written communication skills in Dutch.

Due to limitations by immigration law, it is not possible to apply for a work-permit for this position when you don't have a EU-citizenship.

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

• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• 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 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. Depending on your experience, we offer a competitive gross salary of between €2.471,- and €3.764,- for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 7 or 8).

If you have a PhD and you have the required experience, we can offer a gross salary between €3.098,- and €4.257,- (scale 9). 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 unique 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 17th 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 & 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, 7,200 employees (6,400 fte) and 13,200 students and over 150.000 participants to WUR's Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues 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.