Researcher Sustainable Chemistry

As Researcher Sustainable Chemistry you will participate in multidisciplinary, applied scientific research projects in the field of sustainable chemistry. Your activities will include:

• synthesizing biobased, low molecular weight (building blocks for) monomers, surfactants, and solvents. The functionalization of natural polymers like starch or cellulose may also be part of your work. Desk and lab research are intertwined elements of your work, with an emphasis on the latter;
• identification and characterization of the products you obtained using a multitude of analytical tools, for which we are expertly equipped;
• setting up, executing and interpreting experiments with a great level of autonomy. You stay in close contact with your project leader and team members to align your activities with those of others and ensure optimal progress;
• reporting the results of your work to the project team.

Depending on your personal ambitions, education level and experience, you may also contribute to:

• writing external reports and making oral presentations for our clients;
• disseminating non-confidential results in peer-reviewed scientific journals, professional journals and other media;
• formulating new research proposals, for example by drawing up experimental work plans. In this process, you collaborate with other experts and members of our business team.

Where you will work

Wageningen Food & Biobased Research, part of WUR, offers you a challenging and market-oriented environment where motivated scientific professionals conduct research projects for industry, governments and public-private partnerships. The Sustainable Chemistry & Technology research group develops innovative knowledge and technologies that enable the future production of functional chemicals and materials from renewable carbon sources, as an alternative to current fossil fuel-based sources.

In addition to converting biomass or CO2 into sustainable functional chemicals and materials, our projects also include the green modification of natural (bio)polymers to better match the required properties for specific applications, such as home & personal care products or water purification solutions. Increasingly important aspects are well defined end-of-life scenarios, such as biodegradability and/or recyclability. With the products and processes we develop, we contribute to sustainable solutions for global problems such as those involving non-biodegradable, persistent and accumulating chemicals and plastics. Joining the Sustainable Chemistry & Technology Group is a perfect opportunity when you have the ambition to explore the potential of biomass and CO2 as feedstock for fossil-free products.

You are a skilled and creative researcher and an effective team player. Specifically, we ask:

• a degree in chemistry at a minimum BSc-level, with a specialization in synthetic organic chemistry, carbohydrate chemistry or electrochemistry;
• affinity to work as a researcher in a commercial contract research organization, where flexibility, learning ability and stress tolerance are key competencies. This allows you to work on different and often diverse projects, as is customary within our institute;
• strong reporting skills;
• an organized and results-oriented working attitude.

The following qualities are considered a major plus:

• demonstrable experience with and affinity for biobased, synthetic organic-, carbohydrate- or electrochemistry;
• relevant work experience in a knowledge-intensive R&D environment;
• proficiency of the Dutch language. In case you don’t speak Dutch, we expect the willingness to learn Dutch.

In our international working environment there is an increasing amount of communication in English. For this position it is about language level B2.

WUR welcomes applications from international candidates. However, for applicants for this specific position from outside the EU/EFTA zone, immigration restrictions may apply based on Dutch and EU immigration laws. Such candidates may be eligible for an “orientation year” in the Netherlands or a visa as a “knowledge migrant”.

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed year-end bonus of 8,3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. We offer, depending on your experience, a competitive gross salary of between €3231,- and €4929,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 8 - 9). Additionally, For this role a contract for 32 hours can be discussed. As for your contract, we initially offer a one-year contract that can be extended - if possible within (company) organizational circumstances - on good performance. Of course, we are happy to have a conversation with you if you have any questions about this.

Wageningen University & Research offers plenty of opportunities for growth and development, with a strong internal recruitment policy and excellent training programmes.

You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment. For 20 consecutive years, we have been voted the "best university" in the Netherlands! A place 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.