Chemical Analyst – Composition Analysis

You will perform analytical methods according to standard protocols and work on developing and validating methods for determining the composition of various types of food and animal feed. You will carry out both classical wet-chemical analyses and use a wide range of instrumental analytical techniques with systems such as LC-MS/MS, LC-DAD, GC-FID, CFA, etc. The analysis and research results are reported to the project leader. You will work in a team responsible for efficiently performing and reporting the analyses. In this way, you and the team contribute to the safety of the food chain and a healthy living environment.

Your tasks and responsibilities as a chemical composition analyst include:

• performing both classical wet-chemical and LC- and GC-based analyses in various projects;
• data analysis and reporting to the project leader;
• method improvements and validations;
• drafting Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs);
• are you also someone who becomes curious when looking at a food label?

Your Team
Of course, you will not be working alone but together with colleagues in the Authenticity, Additives and Nutrients (AAN) team. You will join a diverse and friendly team of around 18 colleagues. Within the AAN team, various (raw materials for) food products, animal feed and fertilizers are analysed for nutrients, additives and compositional profiles. We use classical wet-chemical analyses as well as a broad range of instrumental techniques, including LC-MS/MS, LC-DAD, GC-FID, CFA, etc. Profiling techniques are combined with statistical analyses (chemometrics) for authenticity research.

You are a team player with a practical mindset and possess the following core competencies: accuracy, flexibility, result orientation, quality awareness, good organizational skills, an open attitude and eagerness to learn. You are able to work both independently and as part of a team.

In addition, you have:

• a completed higher professional education (HBO) in analytical chemistry or demonstrable HBO-level working and thinking skills;
• preferably experience working with LC- and/or GC-based systems and sample preparation techniques;
• experience working in an ISO17025-accredited laboratory is an advantage;
• preferably experience with project-based work.

In our international working environment, English is being used more and more. For this position, language level B2 is required. If you do not yet meet this level, we will naturally support you — our language centre Wageningen in’to Language is available to help.

As you can see, there are plenty of challenges ahead of you. These challenges can also be seen as development opportunities. If you do not yet meet all requirements listed in the vacancy but do have solid work experience, we still warmly encourage you to apply.

Your workplace
At Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR), we conduct research on food safety, both in food for humans and in animal feed. We primarily work for the Dutch government and serve as an official control laboratory. It is therefore our task to perform risk analyses, monitor trends in the food production chain, identify emerging risks, verify food authenticity and conduct forensic investigations. We advise governments and offer a wide range of training activities. In addition, WFSR is a national and European Reference Laboratory (EURL). Since this year, WFSR has officially been the Dutch National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for additives, flavourings and enzymes in food.

When it comes to employment conditions, you are in good hands at Wageningen University & Research. Highlights from our collective labour agreement include:

• working hours arranged in consultation, allowing an optimal work-life balance;
• sabbatical leave, study leave and partially paid parental leave;
• strong focus on vitality, and you can use the sports facilities on campus at an attractive rate;
• a structural year-end bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme via ABP.

These excellent secondary employment conditions naturally come with an appropriate salary. Depending on your experience, we offer a market-conform salary of at least €2979,-. up to a maximum of €3893,-. for a full-time 36-hour working week, in accordance with the Wageningen Research collective labour agreement (scale 7). We initially offer a two-year contract, with the possibility of extension. We are, of course, happy to discuss any questions you may have about this.

Wageningen University & Research offers extensive opportunities for growth and development with a strong internal recruitment policy and excellent training possibilities.

You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment. For 20 years in a row, we have been voted the best university in the Netherlands — something to be proud of.

The mission of Wageningen University & 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, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus!

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