Maastricht University, RWTH Aachen University and Fraunhofer IME have established a European cross-border research institute focusing on the development of advanced biobased materials: the Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials (AMIBM). The mission statement of AMIBM is “Ground-breaking conversion of biomass to biobased materials and into product applications”. To achieve its mission, AMIBM combines six closely cooperating research groups along the value chain of biobased materials.

The AMIBM research group “Chemical Processing and Molecular Upgrading” focuses on creating new biobased building blocks with new, outstanding properties. It is for this group AMIBM invites applications for a professor position with the unstoppable drive to support sustainable, crude oil independent developments with biobased building blocks. You will be employed by Maastricht University (UM) and your chair will beembedded in the AMIBM withinthe Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE).

As a professor, you will be part of the AMIBM Scientific Board and lead a research group within the institute. Scientific breakthroughs of the Chair of Biobased Building Blocks rely on profound competences related to (bio-)organic chemistry; bio- & chemo-catalysis and creative building block design. The distinctive character of the chair is based on the iterative interaction of these disciplines with one common goal: screen and understand new functionalities brought to novel materials derived from Biobased Building Blocks.

Running a chair at AMIBM means to cooperate intensively with peers within the institute. The scientific excellence within the groups combined with a value chain approach of our research topics form the unique selling point of AMIBM: developing biobased materials in an interdisciplinary approach with contributions from biology, chemistry, application engineering and sustainability.

AMIBM is located at Brightlands Chemelot Campus in direct proximity of a large community of chemical industry. We expect from our candidates an above average affinity for industrial relevant research projects. Your professional network will help you to define and valorize such projects.

As a professor at UM you embrace Problem Based Learning and have a part in teaching programs like the Maastricht Science Programme and the master Biobased Materials.

• You hold a PhD in organic chemistry with strong expertise in bio- & chemo-catalysis or a related discipline, as well as proven creativity and skills in biobased building blocks. You have profound relevant scientific knowledge on Biobased Materials supported by a broad research interest to develop Biobased Materials with adjoining research groups within AMIBM;

• You have good teaching skills and you have obtained (an equivalent of) the University Teaching Qualification or you are willing to obtain this;

• You have an excellent publication record;

• You are able to attract national and international research funding;

• You have excellent team leading and coaching skills (BSc, MSc and PhD candidates);

• You have a strong affinity with industry-academia collaboration;

• You have excellent written and oral communication skills (English) and are willing to learn Dutch; knowledge of the German language is an advantage.

Fixed-term contract: 3 years.

• We offer a fulltime position for five years with the intention for a permanent contract.

• The salary is competitive, and will be set in scale H1 or H2 of the collective labour agreement of the Dutch Universities, depending on qualifications and work experience. In addition, there is an 8% holiday and 8.3% year-end allowance.

• We offer an attractive package of fringe benefits such as, reduction on collective health insurance, substantial leave arrangements, parental leave packages, attractive retirement benefits and application for attractive fiscal arrangements for employees from abroad.

• We offer you a stimulating working environment with excellent facilities for professional and personal development.

• Our international network has researchers coming from a variety of disciplines, but we are an academic community linked by a biobased materials value chain approach. We provide you with a collaborative, entrepreneurial research environment with innovative and cross-disciplinary research.

• The position is embedded in a lively and creative working environment at the Brightlands Chemelot Campus in Geleen.

• The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO), supplement with local UM provisions. For more information on terms of employment, please visit our website www.maastrichtuniversity.nl > Support > UM employees.

Maastricht University is renowned for its unique, innovative, problem-based learning system, which is characterized by a small-scale and student-oriented approach. Research at UM is characterized by a multidisciplinary and thematic approach, and is concentrated in research institutes and schools. Maastricht University has around 16,300 students and 4,300 employees. Reflecting the university's strong international profile, a fair amount of both students and staff are from abroad. The university hosts 6 faculties: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Faculty of Law, School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience.

http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/

AMIBM

Maastricht University and RWTH Aachen University have established a European cross-border research institute focusing on the development of advanced biobased materials. The Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials (AMIBM) is located on the Brightlands-Chemelot Campus in the Netherlands, Province of Limburg, and strives for excellence in applied and translational research by creating synergies between academia and industry.

https://fhs.maastrichtuniversity.nl/AMIBM/