The Vrije Universiteit (VU) collaborates with the University of Twente (UT) on education and research. At the VU in Amsterdam, students can follow two technical bachelor's programs: Mechanical Engineering and Creative Technology. For large practicals, they travel to Twente. For smaller practicals, workshops, and individual work, students are in the VU Makerspace.

The Makerspace is housed in the DemonstratorLab (DLAB). The DLAB is the startup incubator of the VU, where projects can develop and test prototypes and products. Thus, the Makerspace is part of a VU-wide and inspiring community. Students of Mechanical Engineering and Creative Technology follow parts of their educational programming in the Makerspace and can also work on personal projects in the lab. As a technician, you support these activities and have a coordinating role from and towards the programs, students, and colleagues at the DLAB. The director of the DLAB will be your direct supervisor.

In about 2 years, DLAB and the Makerspace will move to a brand-new building on campus with new lab facilities. As a technician, you will play a role in the further integration of the Makerspace within DLAB and the developments regarding the new lab.

What will you do?

• You are responsible for the daily management of the lab space and ensure users can work safely;
• You keep the lab tidy and maintain the necessary equipment and instruments;
• You conduct technical practicals together with lecturers from the programs;
• You design and conduct workshops to help students develop their technical skills, such as "Design & Manufacturing for (rapid) prototyping" and "Lab etiquette and safe use of facilities";
• You conduct co-creation sessions with lecturers and students, including material selection guidance;
• You plan and organize all activities. You communicate with lecturers, students, the educational organization, and colleagues from the DLAB;
• You perform an annual inventory and provide advice regarding the ICT infrastructure, production, and educational resources;
• Together with colleagues from the DLAB, you contribute to the mentioned community building;
• You contribute ideas about the design and facilities of the Makerspace and the DLAB in the new building;
• You think about possibilities to further develop the Makerspace.

• You have a higher professional education (HBO) or university (WO) degree and level of thinking, with a broad technical interest;
• You have experience in maintaining, managing, and independently running a lab;
• You enjoy guiding students and have an affinity with (scientific) education;
• You enjoy and are skilled in performing the mentioned activities related to planning and organization;
• You work in a structured, organized, and safe manner;
• You have excellent communication skills and proficient level of English.

What are your technical skills?

• You can read and assess technical drawings;
• You have thorough knowledge of designing and maintaining electronic circuits (including the Arduino platform, sensors, actuators);
• You have solid knowledge of designing and manufacturing 3D-printable or laser-cut objects (including mechanical parts) and experience with software such as Autodesk Fusion and/or Solidworks.

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

Fixed-term contract: 1 year.

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

• a salary of minimum € 3.377,00 (Scale 9) and maximum € 4.640,00 (Scale 9) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Technical Project Officer 2. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
• a position for at least 0.8 FTE. Your employment contract will initially last 1 year. Afterwards, the possibility of expansion exists.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

• A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• contribution to commuting expenses
• optional model for designing a personalized benefits package
• discounts on collective insurances (healthcare- and car insurance);

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

The Demonstrator Lab and Makerspace at VU

The Makerspace is housed in the DemonstratorLab (DLAB). The DLAB is the startup incubator of the VU, where students and researchers come together in an inspiring and entrepreneurial environment. The DLAB embodies and acts according to the three core values of the VU: entrepreneurial, diverse, and sustainable. Due to its technical nature, the DLAB is embedded in the Faculty of Science.

Faculty of Science
Researchers and students at VU Amsterdam’s Faculty of Science tackle fundamental and complex scientific problems to help pave the way for a sustainable and healthy future. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, and from molecules to the moon: we cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. Our teaching and research have a strong experimentally technical, computational and interdisciplinary nature.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely. - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.

Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of the VU. The VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.