Lab technician mechatronics

What are you going to do?

As a lab technician you will oversee the design and operation of experimental equipment. You will be part of an international and diverse team of scientific staff and other technical staff. You are challenged to find creative solutions to advance scientific research at a world leading level.

Tasks & responsibilities:

• Design, build and maintain diverse experimental setups with an emphasis on control and electronics (mechatronics) in the field of solar fuels.
• Oversee usage, operation and maintenance of instruments. Instruct new users and serve as primary contact in case of issues. Organize maintenance and repairs (in case of defective equipment), order consumables and instrument parts and oversee installation thereof.
• Advise in the purchase of new research equipment. Keep updated on novel equipment and processes on the market and advise your supervisor and colleagues about innovations and possible applications into our (future) research.
• Document the experimental setups (e.g. electronic schematics in WSCAD, user instructions and safety).
• Introduce new team members to lab (safety) procedures.
• Participate in meetings on research, infrastructure, organization and safety.
• Contribute in a pro-active way to a positive safety culture

Your profile:

• Degree (HBO or equivalent) in mechatronics or electrical engineering
• A strong commitment to safety and the safety of others
• Real team-player with excellent interpersonal skills
• Able to effectively communicate in English and Dutch.
• Problem solving mentality; proactive
• Multitasking skills: good at switching quickly between projects and tasks
• Good time- and project-management skills
• Preferred but not required: experience with vacuum, pneumatics, and prior experience with WSCAD

This position is for 1 FTE, will be for a period of 2 years with possible permanent contract at proven suitability and is graded in pay scale 8. The position will be based at DIFFER (www.differ.nl) and the working location will be at TU Eindhoven. When fulfilling a position at DIFFER, you will have an employee status at NWO. You can participate in all the employee benefits NWO offers. We have a number of regulations that support employees in finding a good work-life balance. At DIFFER we believe that a workforce diverse in gender, age and cultural background is key to performing excellent research. We therefore strongly encourage everyone to apply. More information on working at NWO can be found at the NWO website (https://www.nwo-i.nl/en/working-at-nwo-i/jobsatnwoi/)

The Dutch Institute for Fundamental Energy Research (DIFFER) performs leading fundamental research on materials, processes, and systems for a global sustainable energy infrastructure. We work in close partnership with (inter)national academia and industry. Our user facilities are open to industry and university researchers. As an institute of the Dutch Research Council (NWO) DIFFER plays a key role in fundamental research for the energy transition.

We use a multidisciplinary approach applicable on two key areas, solar fuels for the conversion and storage of renewable energy and nuclear fusion - as a clean source of energy.