You will be appointed at the Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials (AMIBM), which is part of the Faculty of Science and Engineering. Embedded in the Polymer Chemistry research group of Prof. Pich working on the synthesis of functional biobased polymers with tailored structure and properties, you will operate from the Brightlands-Chemelot Campus in Geleen (NL), where the labs of AMIBM are located.
As an Education and Research Technician you manage state-of-the-art equipment for synthesis and characterization of organic compounds and polymers. You are responsible for the maintenance and operation of various analytical equipment, such as gas and liquid chromatography, gel permeation chromatography, titration equipment, viscometry, differential scanning calorimetry, solvent drying equipment, nuclear magnetic resonance, matrix assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry, as well as synthetic equipment like parallel synthesis equipment, glove boxes, various reactor types for polymerization, synthesis under microwave and flow conditions or under high-pressure. You support and instruct researchers and students with analytical questions and equipment handling as well as with synthetic problems. You are also involved in the design and construction of laboratory set-ups and help to translate ideas into practical, feasible solutions, always keeping a sharp eye on the safety aspects. You are responsible for keeping the equipment up-to-date and you get in touch with suppliers in case there are problems you cannot solve. This also includes the maintenance of standard lab equipment like vacuum pumps, cooling devices, glassware, rotavapors etc.
Management of the biobased monomers and polymers collections and database of our labs also belongs to your task. This includes ordering and stock management of chemicals and consumables, registration of chemicals in the central database, coordination of weekly lab cleaning, safety management and instructions, waste deposition, coordination with the glassblower etc.
From teaching point of view, you will take care of chemistry related lab sessions in the bachelor program and lab sessions on polymer and/or organic chemistry and coating technology in the biobased master program. As an experienced lab member, you will also act as a coach for new PhD, master and bachelor students.
Furthermore, safety is an important part of your job description. You will need to ensure safe working conditions (i.e. conduct regular electrical inspections), provide first aid in the event of accidents, fight a small, starting fire, or alerting and evacuating employees and all other persons present on the premises in the event of an emergency.
 

Applications are welcome for a technician (HBO-level) with a record of accomplishment in Chemistry. The Chemistry Education and Research Technician:
-    holds a bachelor degree (HBO) in Chemistry;
-    has demonstrated experience in operating and managing analytical and synthetic equipment;
-    strong interest in polymer synthesis is a requirement;
-    works independently in a highly dynamic and international setting;
-    combines good practical skills with good communication skills;
-    shows a proactive and mature work attitude and is able to set priorities;
-    intrinsically sets high standards and has a high degree of structuring in work;
-    is proficient in Dutch and English.
 

Fixed-term contract: one year fixed-term employment contract with a possibility of an extension of two years after receiving a positive evaluation.

• We offer a temporary full-time employment contract as chemistry education and research technician.  Intended start date as soon as possible. Depending on the development of the performance, a permanent contract is possible.
• The salary will be set in salary scale 8 of the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities (from 2.656 to 3.548 gross per month depending on experience and qualifications, based on a full-time appointment). On top of this, there is an 8% holiday allowance and a 8.3% year-end allowance;
• We offer an attractive package of fringe benefits such as reduction on collective health insurance, substantial leave arrangements, and optional model for designing a personalized benefits package and application for attractive fiscal arrangements for employees from abroad.
• The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labor Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO), supplemented with local UM provisions. For more information look at the website www.maastrichtuniversity.nl > Support > UM employees.
   

Maastricht University

Located in the heart of Europe, UM is the most international university in the Netherlands with half of our students’ staff coming from abroad. In total, UM has around 20.000 students and 4,700 employees and represents 100 different nationalities. The UM culture thrives due to its collaborative approach, with constant interaction between staff, students, and researchers, all working together to take on new challenges and providing an exciting and innovating state-of-the-art workplace. Our focus is to shape the future through our students and research advances. We highly value personal and professional development, and thus invest in your journey within the university through a selection of workshops, courses and development opportunities.

Faculty of Science and Engineering

The Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) is home to several outstanding departments and institutions covering education and research in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) as well as the liberal arts and sciences.

AMIBM

The Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials (AMIBM) is a department of the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) at Maastricht University, located on the Brightlands Chemelot Campus in Geleen. AMIBM is a European cross-border research institute established by Maastricht University and RWTH Aachen University (Germany) focusing on the development of advanced biobased materials. The mission of AMIBM is “ground-breaking conversion of biomass to biobased materials and into product applications”. AMIBM promotes excellent multidisciplinary research in the field of biobased materials, by training PhD students with the multiple skills needed to be future leaders in the field, and creating the research breakthroughs that will enable the utilization of sustainable and renewable materials for advanced materials applications. The multidisciplinary team draws together scientists with expertise in molecular and applied biotechnology, organic chemistry, polymer chemistry, polymer physics, polymer engineering, biomedical materials, and sustainability assessment. You can find more information via www.amibm.org