Analytical instruments are indispensable for modern society. For example, in the fields of materials, forensics, biopharma and energy.

The main goal of the PARADISE project ('Propelling Analysts by Removing Analytical-, Data-, Instrument- and Sample-related Encumbrances') is to develop robust, automated methodologies that provide accurate information on essential properties ('dimensions') of complex industrial samples, their constituents and derivatives obtained through reactions. This will be your main task. The project is carried out in collaboration with the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. DSM, Genentech, Shell, the Dutch Forensics Institute (NFI) and The Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) are sponsors.

Within this large project we are seeking two PhD candidates who will focus on the development of analytical methods specifically for polymers and drug-delivery systems, and one PhD candidate who will focus on the development of robust automated means to analyse and interpret data. For these developments, the use of comprehensive two-dimensional gas- and liquid chromatography as well as mass spectrometry are envisaged.

What are you going to do?

You are expected to:

• participate in the fundamental and/or applied research of our analytical-chemistry group;
• take ownership of one of the sub-projects, which are:
  • development of reaction modulators and flow-switching devices for characterization of macromolecular polymeric systems and explosives, with emphasis on sequence-distribution analysis;
  • development of liquid-phase multi-dimensional separation systems using reaction modulators for degradation and stability studies of drug-delivery systems and explosives;
  • establishing methods and tools for automatically processing very complex multi-dimensional chromatograms to yield relevant information;
• collaborate intensively in a large international public-private consortium;
• publish and present your work within the project and on international scientific platforms;
• contribute to the teaching activities of the department.

• A recent MSc degree in a field relevant to the project;
• demonstrated affinity with analytical separations or the associated data analysis;
• ability to function in an international research team;
• willingness to collaborate with PhD candidates and Postdoctoral researchers in related research projects and with other research groups within and outside the Netherlands;
• good communication skills in oral and written English.

Our offer

A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (initial contract will be for a period of 18 months at University of Amsterdam and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years) and should lead to a dissertation. We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students. 

The salary, depending on relevant experience before the beginning of the employment contract, will be €2,395 to €3,061 (scale P) gross per month, based on a full-time contract of 38 hours a week. This is exclusive 8 % holiday allowance and 8.3 % end-of-year bonus. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

Are you curious about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits like our excellent opportunities for study and development? Then find out more about working at the Faculty of Science.

University of Amsterdam

With over 5,000 employees, 30,000 students and a budget of more than 600 million euros, the University of Amsterdam (UvA) is an intellectual hub within the Netherlands. Teaching and research at the UvA are conducted within seven faculties: Humanities, Social and Behavioural Sciences, Economics and Business, Law, Science, Medicine and Dentistry. Housed on four city campuses in or near the heart of Amsterdam, where disciplines come together and interact, the faculties have close links with thousands of researchers and hundreds of institutions at home and abroad.  

The UvA’s students and employees are independent thinkers, competent rebels who dare to question dogmas and aren’t satisfied with easy answers and standard solutions. To work at the UvA is to work in an independent, creative, innovative and international climate characterised by an open atmosphere and a genuine engagement with the city of Amsterdam and society.

Faculty of Science - Van't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences

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, the functioning of the brain, or the convergence of an algorithm.

The Van't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS) is one of eight institutes of the University of Amsterdam (UvA) Faculty of Science. HIMS performs internationally recognized chemistry and molecular research, curiosity driven as well as application driven. This is done in close cooperation with the chemical, flavour & food, medical and high-tech industries. Research is organised into four themes: Synthesis & Catalysis, Analytical Chemistry, Computational Chemistry and Molecular Photonics.

The analytical-chemistry group collaborates intensively with colleagues at the Vrije Universiteit. Candidates for the present positions may be appointed at either university, but may work at both locations with the objective of obtaining a joint PhD degree between the two universities.