The technician is expected to:

(i) provide assistance to the research unit (~70% of the time), such as:
- organising general aspects within the laboratories of the research group
- maintaining analytical instrumentation (chromatography, centrifuges, spectrophotometers, etc.) and instructing users
- supporting educational and public engagement activities (practical courses, demonstrations).
(ii) contribute to running research projects in collaboration with PhD students, postdocs and visiting scientists (~30% of the time), predominantly regarding: cell culturing for enzyme production (fermentor), enzyme purification and setting up enzyme assays and chemical analyses.

For this multi-facetted position, we search for a candidate who has/is:

• positive spirited, with a hands-on mentality
• completed appropriate training at the level of HBO/HLO (for example BML, Life Sciences and Chemistry, specialization biochemistry)
• familiar with analytical techniques such as gas/liquid chromatography, UV/Vis spectroscopy
• experience with culturing microorganisms (bacteria, yeast) and/or protein purification
• able to work independently
• excellent organisational and communication skills
• adequate proficiency in using English (orally and written)
• interested in contributing to challenging scientific questions within a diverse research team.

Fixed-term contract: 12 months.

We offer an attractive job with variation in tasks within a vibrant, stimulating and international research institute.

The University of Groningen offers, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:

• a salary from a minimum of € 2,700 (scale 8) up to a maximum of € 4,078 (scale 9) gross per month for a full-time position depending of relevant experience and training
• a holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income and an 8.3% year-end bonus
• a time-limited employment for one year. If the outcome of the evaluation after one year is positive, the appointment will be prolonged for an indefinite term.

The starting date is as soon as possible

Faculty of Science and Engineering

The Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute (GBB) at the Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen is a vibrant research institute with 13 research units and about 240 members. Within the research unit Molecular Enzymology, chaired by Prof. Marco Fraaije, research is performed on the discovery, engineering and application of enzymes. Except for experimental work on elucidating the molecular details of enzyme catalysis (curiosity-driven research), research projects are also often geared towards the development of new biotechnological applications. Experimental work covers a wide range of techniques, ranging from modern cloning techniques (mainly in E. coli and yeast), enzyme purification (chromatography, SDS-PAGE), enzyme kinetic analyses (assay development, steady-state and stopped-flow kinetics), to chemical analyses (GC/MS, LC/MS, NMR). Except for research, the group is also involved in teaching, being responsible for courses (incl. practicals) for biology and chemistry students and supporting BSc and MSc graduate research projects.