The Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS) is located at the vibrant Amsterdam Science Park. HIMS is one of eight institutes of the University of Amsterdam Faculty of Science. With around 140 employees, HIMS carries out internationally high-quality chemical research and provides education within various university programs. The Research Priority Area (RPA) Sustainable Chemistry is focused on fundamental and applied research related to the transformation to a sustainable society based on sustainable energy and a circular economy. The RPA Sustainable Chemistry consists of a team of scientists that have expertise in all aspects of catalysis (homo/hetero/bio/supra), electrochemistry and sustainable synthesis. In the context of further collaborations within HIMS we start a post-doc program on complexity in catalyst systems, studied from different perspectives. Do you enjoy working in an interdisciplinary research setting and are you interested in sustainable chemistry, one of these post-doc projects may be suited for you?

What are you going to do?
Seven ambitious interdisciplinary projects have been defined to start this RPA post-doc program, and you can find short descriptions here. You can choose the project that fits your experience and personal drive most, and the most important task is to carry out the research project in discussion with the two PI’s. Project descriptions can be downloaded here.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• conducting independent research in this project, resulting in academic publications in peer-reviewed international journals
• actively contributing to the research activities of the RPA Sustainable chemistry, including regular discussions with the other post-docs.
• Organize a meeting on the topic of this program,
• supervising Bachelor and Master projects and tutoring students.

You are able to explain your work to both scientists with experimental as well as with theoretical and informatics background. You work independently and can reflect on your own results and conclusions.

Your experience and profile

• PhD in chemistry with a specialization related to the project of your choice;
• Flexible, readiness to participate in cooperation and multidisciplinary development
• Committed researcher, demonstrated by publications in international refereed academic journals and academic publishers;
• Strong initiative and good time management skills.
• Professional communication skills in oral and written English.

We offer a temporary employment contract for 38,00 hours per week for a period of 12 months. An extension of 6-12 months maybe possible based on available funding combined with adequate performance. The preferred starting date is ultimately 1 September. The appointment is full time (38 hours per week), but part-time employment (0,8 FTE) implicating a longer extension as compensation is negotiable.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between €2,960 - € 4,670 (scale 10)This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. The UFO profile Researcher 4 is applicable. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:

• 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
• multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
• multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
• 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
• partly paid parental leave;
• a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
• the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;
• help with housing for a studio or small apartment when you’re moving from abroad.

Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here.

Faculty of Science

The University of Amsterdam is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 30,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 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 or the functioning of the brain.

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, flavor & food, medical and high-tech industries. Research is organized into four themes: Analytical Chemistry, Computational Chemistry, Synthesis & Catalysis and Molecular Photonics.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.