Introduction
The Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences (SILS) is located at the vibrant Amsterdam Science Park. SILS is one of eight institutes of the University of Amsterdam's Faculty of Science (FNWI). With around 240 employees, SILS carries out internationally high-quality life science research and provides education within various university programs. This is done in close cooperation with the medical, biotech, chemical, flavour, food & agri, and high-tech industries, and revolves around 4 main themes, Cell & Systems biology, Neurosciences, Microbiology and Green Life Sciences.

The Mass Spectrometry of Biomolecules group is part of the underpinning technologies and microbiology themes and provides mass spectrometry support in the context of metabolomics, lipidomics and proteomics research to researcher's inside and outside of the FWNI. Apart from support, we develop and field new innovative approaches to use mass spectrometry in the life sciences. In addition, we play an important role in mass spectrometry education in the life sciences at the BSc, MSc and PhD level.

To strengthen support and help bring innovative approaches to the field as mass spectrometry core we are looking for a Lab technician Mass Spectrometry, able to setup and maintain advanced mass spectrometry platforms as well as allied laboratory and data analysis infrastructure.

What are you going to do

You are expected

• to manage, maintain and monitor the laboratory infrastructure amongst which are several high-end LC/GC-MS platforms as well as sample preparation and data analysis (IT-Server) infrastructure;
• to independently develop and apply novel sample preparation techniques and LC/GC-MS analysis approaches for small molecules and proteins to support research lines within the institute;
• to perform sample preparation, measurement and data analysis tasks for various research projects from different life science themes for (un)targeted proteomics, metabolomics or lipidomics analysis and report results to the stakeholders and contribute to peer reviewed publications;
• to set up novel LC/GC-MS approaches within various research projects in consultation with the project leader and analyse and report the results to the stakeholders and contribute to peer reviewed publications and present novel techniques at (inter)national conferences;
• to supervise scientists (PhD and Post-Doc) at varying knowledge levels of mass spectrometry-based omics within their projects and their use of laboratory facilities;
• to organize teaching of (practical) courses (BSc, MSc, PhD), as well as supervise (Msc and Bsc) internship students during their projects.

You are passionate about science and interested in working in a supportive role in an international setting. You like a challenge and are a creative problem-solver with perseverance. You can adapt quickly, are enjoyable company and have the drive to get things done. Finally, if you are self-motivated and willing to learn new skills and have very good time management skills, then this position could be for you.

Your experience and profile

• an Applied University (HBO) or University degree with an analytical chemistry or life sciences background with a special focus on the use of mass spectrometry in a biological context;
• proven experience with untargeted lipidomics/metabolomics or proteomics in a research or industry setting, particularly for the analysis of complex biological samples;
• proven experience with LC/GC-MS based platforms (preferably HRM such as TOF/OT) with regard to maintenance calibration and troubleshooting (experience with Bruker, Waters and Agilent is of particular advantage);
• proven experience to teach and supervise researchers without analytical chemistry expertise to successfully complete their projects;
• prior experience with omics analysis software for (targeted) proteomics and metabolomics e.g. MASCOT, MAXQUANT, METABOSCAPE, SKYLINE and resources such as GNPS and Uniprot is a particular advantage;
• experience in collaborating with an international group of scientists with very different backgrounds, career stages and levels of analytical-chemistry knowledge;
• you exhibit the highest degree of reliability and accuracy to assure scientific quality, you are able to clearly communicate methods and results in written form for scientific publications;
• excellent communication skills in English and Dutch.

We offer you a temporary employment contract for 34,2 hours a week, for the duration of 12 months preferably starting on 1 August 2022. A permanent contract follows if we assess your performance as positive.

Your salary, depending on your relevant work experience on commencement of the employment contract, ranges between €2.710 to €4.093 gross per month on the basis of a full working week of 38 hours. This sum does not include the 8% holiday allowance and the 8.3% year-end allowance. A favorable tax agreement, the 30% ruling, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU) is applicable.

Are you curious about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits like our excellent opportunities for study and development? More information can be found here.

Faculty of Science

The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest spectrum of degree programmes. It is an intellectual hub with 39,000 students, 6,000 employees and 3,000 doctoral students who are all committed to a culture of inquiring minds and scientific excellence.

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 7,000, as well as 1,600 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

Do you want to know more about our organization? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.