Are you a motivated and experienced research technician who wants to support our research platform Complex Cell Systems at the Animal Science Department of Wageningen University? We would like to get in contact with you.

As technician, you will be working with organoids, stem cells and organoid-related assays. Experience in this field is a strong pre as it will help you to anticipate and/or respond adequately to any deviations that may occur. You will work in a team of research technicians and diverse scientists; analyse and interpret data derived from the experiments at our lab to support our ongoing lines in complex cell systems. Your role will also include advising and supporting undergraduate and graduate students and other personnel in utilizing and learning new skills in organoid cell cultures. Your work will also involve general lab duties.

This position is part of the Complex Cell Systems innovation team of the Animal Science Department (ASG) and you will be appointed at Wageningen University at Animal Nutrition, working in close collaboration with other (inter)national research teams.

More about the project
The increasing innovation and adoption of organoid-based technologies represent a promising, near-physiological model for nutritionists and support diverse potential applications in animal nutrition research. In this project, we plan to develop organoids from adult stem cells isolated from various farm animal species. These constructs offer a powerful new cell based tool to model animal physiology and to answer fundamental questions in metabolic research. This investment theme underpins the strong motivation within ASG to replace, reduce and refine animal experiments.

Responsibilities
Cell culture and cell-based assays including the derivation and maintenance of organoids;

• High-throughput profiling, including next generation sequencing, single-cell technologies, and CRISPR screens;
• Confocal laser scanning microscopy, flow cytometry, ELISA, immunoblotting, quantitative PCR, quantitative mass spectrometry of peptides and proteins;
• Optimization and testing of new assays and protocols, e.g. for comparative species studies;
• Contribution to lab management, training of new lab members, and reading scientific publications to extract relevant technical information.

• A higher professional education in Medical Laboratory Research (HLO), or (HBO) Bachelor's or university BSc degree, or equivalent, in laboratory science, molecular cell biology or cell biology;
• Very strong motivation and commitment, proactive but friendly, collaborative mindset, getting-things-done attitude, a professional, flexible and organised method of working;
• Experience with organoids and performing assays is a pre; Prior experience working with molecular biology techniques including DNA/RNA or protein is highly desired;
• Write protocols, methods and technical reports; provide scientific interpretation of results and ability to work independently with minimal guidance;
• This position requires good English language proficiency (a minimum of CEFR B2 level; For more information about this proficiency level, please visit our special language page);
• You strive well in an international team consisting of research staff, PhD students, technicians and students; You take responsibility for tasks and help out others when needed; You can organize your own work and oversee multiple research projects.

Do you recognize yourself in the above mentioned profile; we look forward in receiving your application. In case you do not meet all the requested requirements and think that you can convince us that you are able to master these skill in short time, we are also very interested in receiving your application.

We offer a position for 1 year with the possibility of 2 years extension. Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment (CAO WU). A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

sabbatical leave, study leave, and 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 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;
• an innovative working environment with constantly new challenges.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. Depending on your experience, we offer a competitive salary of between € 2,329.- and € 3,144.- for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 7).

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 16th consecutive time.

Wageningen University & Research

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.

The Animal Nutrition group is part of the Animal Sciences Group of Wageningen University & Research. Education and research of the group focuses on various aspects of the nutrition of ruminants and monogastric animal species with in vivo, in vitro and mathematical models of nutrient digestion and metabolism being a major focal point. Research conducted by the Animal Nutrition group is part of the research program of the graduate school Wageningen Institute of Animal Sciences (WIAS). In addition, ANU is the founding member of the Centre for Animal Nutrition (CAN); a collaboration between three internationally recognized animal nutrition groups in the Netherlands. The Centre develops fundamental and application-oriented expertise in animal nutrition and ensures the exchange and transfer of this expertise to government agencies, businesses, the primary animal nutrition sectors, societal institutions, NGOs and students.

These are the points our employees list as good reasons to come work at WUR: read the 5 reasons to come work at WUR.

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