"Research technician: Analytical Chemistry/Exposure Assessment"

Job Description

At the Toxicology division we aim to improve the scientific basis of chemical risk assessment through fundamental and applied innovative research, teaching, and training in mechanistic and predictive toxicology and exposure assessment. As a research technician you will contribute to achieving these goals and strengthen our division. You will be working on different activities and projects, all focused on exposure assessment, either in (in vitro) toxicity assays or the environment.

Your Job

Your work mostly involves chemical-analytical determinations of concentrations of various organic chemicals in different media. To this end, you will use LC-MS/MS, HPLC-UV/FLD, GC-MS and GC-FID. Target chemicals include PFAS, pharmaceuticals, organohalogen compounds (e.g. pesticides, PCBs), industrial chemicals, and oils. Media of interest are exposure medium, cells or organisms from toxicity assays; and sediment, soil, water, air and organisms from the environment or laboratory experiments.

As a research technician, you are involved in different scientific projects simultaneously, supporting Bachelor’s and Master’s students, and (PhD) researchers. In all of the projects, we investigate human or environmental exposure to harmful chemicals. These projects may have a fundamental character (e.g., focused on the toxicity of specific chemicals), but may also be strictly applied (e.g., related to remediation of soils, water or sediment). In addition, part of your work involves consultancy activities (contract research for external partners) and general laboratory tasks, such as ordering materials and maintenance of instruments.

Requirements

• You have a Bachelor of Applied Sciences (HBO)/HLO degree (or equivalent) in the field of analytical chemistry, with interest in environmental chemistry and/or toxicology/life sciences.
• You have at least five years of working experience in a similar position.
• You have good verbal and written communication skills in Dutch and English.
• You enjoy working in a team and supporting colleagues but you are also able to work independently.
• Experience with chromatographic techniques coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS and LC-MS) is essential, as is being able to maintain own equipment and solve practical problems (i.e. being handy). A drive to improve methodologies and affinity with method development is a plus.
• You show initiative and contribute to the design of experiments and measurements.

Conditions of Employment

• A temporary position for a year, with the aim to convert to a fixed contract;
• a working week of 32-40 hours and a gross monthly salary between €3,057 and €5,057 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 7 to 9 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University also offers a range of its own schemes for employees. This includes arrangements for professional development, various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities. You can also tailor your employment conditions through our Terms of Employment Options Model.

Research Fields

Environmental science; Chemistry

Job Types

Technical and laboratory; Research, development, innovation

Education Level

Higher professional education

Weekly Hours

32—40 hours per week

Location

Yalelaan 104-106, 3584CM, Utrecht