The revolution in electron microscopy (EM) has greatly increased the demand for high-end EM in both Life Sciences and Materials Sciences. EM is the only technique available that can image the atomic structure of materials with (sub) nanometre resolution. Using analytical tools, the chemical composition and electronic properties can be mapped in 2D or 3D at the nanometre scale. This detailed characterisation is of major importance to research fields such as nanoscience, catalysis, semiconductor devices, geosciences, metallurgy, (hard matter), colloids, and polymeric materials (soft matter).

The Electron Microscopy Centre (EMC) at Utrecht University houses both life sciences and materials sciences microscopes. We have a strong collaboration with the Cell Microscopy Core at the academic hospital UMCU. Together we are ‘Electron Microscopy Utrecht’. For the materials sciences, a double-aberration corrected TEM with advanced spectroscopic capabilities, the Spectra300, has recently been installed at Utrecht University. This specific microscope is also part of the National EM Infrastructure NEMI. 

After the latest investments in EM equipment by Utrecht University and the National Roadmap, the EMC is looking for a new staff member for facility and research support and specifically for high-end EM. As a facility staff member, you will be part of a team that consists of the Facility Manager and two other EM staff members that have specialisations such as cryo-EM and in-situ EM. Although the infrastructure of the facility is (financially) incorporated in the Department of Chemistry, all EM staff members are also member of one of the scientific groups in the physics or chemistry departments where you can join group meetings, etc. This particular position is associated with the Soft Condensed Matter group of Professor Alfons van Blaaderen where the head of the EM centre, Dr. Marijn van Huis, is an Associate Professor. Together with the team you will also perform general tasks to make the facility run smoothly and serve the ~100 users of the facility.

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

• supporting research projects by performing advanced experiments together with the materials science groups (mainly in the Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science and the Structural Geology group) of Utrecht University;
• training of users on all electron microscopes, for both TEM and SEM;
• keeping the high-end electron microscopes in a good condition by regular alignments;
• overseeing installations, repairs, and upgrades of the microscopes by the supplier companies, all conducted in close collaboration with the Facility Manager;
• implementation of safety regulations and ensuring these are adhered to;
• staying up-to-date of existing techniques and the implementation of new research techniques as needed.

There is opportunity to perform management or outreach tasks as well, such as taking care of the booking system of the microscopes, updating the webpage of the electron microscopy centre, contributing to a newsletter, etc.

The position is not intended as a first step for a scientific academic career. 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: 

• an hbo/BSc/MSc degree or equivalent in vacuum technology, applied physics, materials science, biology, or related fields;
• experience in operating high-tech equipment;
• preferably experience with high-end transmission electron microscopy (TEM), aberration-corrected TEM and electron energy loss spectrometry (EELS). However applicants with experience in cryo-EM or in-situ EM are also very welcome;
• good communication skills in English (speaking and writing);
• experience in electron microscopy sample preparation and data processing;
• prior experience in providing training (preferred).

• A position for 1 year with the possibility of a follow-up to a permanent position;
• a full-time gross salary ranging from €3,098 to € 4,670 in scale 9 or 10;
• 8% holiday bonus and 8.3% end-of-year bonus;
• the opportunity to work in an ambitious and expanding team of skilled experts;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, and flexible employment conditions based on the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities.

In addition to the employment conditions from the CAO for Dutch Universities, Utrecht University has a number of its own arrangements. These include agreements on professional development, leave arrangements and sports. We also give you the opportunity to expand your terms of employment through the Employment Conditions Selection Model. This is how we encourage you to grow.

For more information, please visit working at Utrecht University.

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The infrastructure of the EM centre is incorporated in the Department of Chemistry at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. The Department of Chemistry 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.

The Electron Microscopy Centre at Utrecht University serves both life sciences and materials sciences microscopes and has the largest EM user group in the Netherlands (~100 users) with very diverse backgrounds (cell biology, structural biology, geosciences, catalysis, soft matter, nanoscience, etc). Also, several companies are regularly using the facility. The Scientific Manager of the EM facility is Dr. Marijn van Huis and the Facility Manager is Ing. Chris Schneijdenberg. Apart from the facility manager, there are two other EM staff members providing support to the facility.