Instrument Scientist for Neutron Imaging

Neutron imaging enables a wide range of research fields, from non-destructive testing of works of art and antiquities to researching the water uptake in plants and roots. As the Instrument Scientist of the Delft Reactor Institute’s two thermal and cold neutron imaging stations called FISH, you will be the vital link between the instruments and their users. They include MSc and PhD students, postdocs, professors, as well as R&D experts in the manufacturing industry, whom you’ll be training and supporting. You’ll be advising them on e.g. sample preparation and assisting them with data analysis. Interpreting the scientific value of measurements, you will also discuss the findings with them. In close collaboration with the users and in-house technicians , you will adapt the instrument to secure optimized outputs. And you will support professors with their research grant proposals, making sure the technique is available and optimized to meet the research requirements.

As the technique of neutron imaging keeps evolving, you will continuously develop and optimize FISH to meet the latest needs of our users. Optimization may concern the sample environment, measurement speed, accuracy, resolution, or the computer control systems. In addition, you will take the lead in developing the new cold neutron capabilities of FISH, enabling novel imaging methods and creating greater contrast. This instrument is to be taken into full operation next year. Developing your expertise and reputation in thermal and cold neutron imaging, you will promote our facilities in the research community at large. You will also build and maintain a network of research facilities, leading manufacturers and universities, with the aim to optimize beam time for research. As a rule of thumb about 15% of the beam time is available for instrument development and possibilities to conduct own research. .

Your home base is the Instrument Group, where you will join a driven team of fellow Instrument Scientists and the technicians who are responsible for the technical status of the instruments. Operating our 2.3 MW open pool research reactor, we share a drive to support pioneering research and educate engineering students. We can truly dedicate time to building unrivalled instruments and supporting our users, as we have no profit objectives.

Fostering an approachable and friendly culture, we share knowledge and bounce off ideas to create the best possible solutions. This also means getting to know the other instruments, as techniques and applications often overlap. Of course, you will get all the training and support you need to reach your full potential and grow in your expert role. 

• You hold a PhD in a subject related to physical science, life science, engineering or another relevant field.
• You have extensive experience of neutron imaging gained in previous research and development roles, in-depth knowledge of the potential of the technique and a drive to learn all there is to know about our neutron imaging station for development and optimization.
• You have a keen interest in the other techniques and instruments used at the Delft Reactor Institute, to harness the full potential of our facilities for our users and build the best possible solutions as a team.
• You have a drive to contribute to research and education, and become the acknowledged expert in the field of thermal and cold neutron imaging.
• You harness your communication and social skills to interact with users whom you’ll train, support and advise.
• You enjoy building and maintaining a network of potential users, focusing on strengthening the radiation-related research capabilities of the Dutch academic world and industry in particular.
• You are prepared to undergo a security screening to obtain a Certificate of No Objection issued by AIVD (the Dutch General Information and Security Service).
• You have a good command of English as you will be working in an international community and supporting students and researchers from across the globe.  

• A salary based on scale 11 of the collective agreement (CAO) for Dutch Universities between €4.332,00 and €5.929,00 gross per month, plus an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• We offer a one-year contract for 38-40 hours a week (1 fte), which we intend to convert into a permanent contract.
• An excellent pension scheme at ABP.
• The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year.
• Health insurance discounts.
• A flexible working week.
• 232 hours of annual leave (based on a 38-hour working week). Your individual choice budget allows you to buy additional hours, or sell surplus hours.
• An extensive education and training offering.
• Partially paid parental leave.
• Access to our Health Coach Programme stimulating healthy working and vitality.

Read more about working at TU Delft.

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

The TU Delft| Reactor Institute is the Dutch knowledge center for nuclear technology and radiation-related research and education. It manages a unique research reactor (2.3 MW), irradiation facilities and radiation-related research instruments. The TU Delft |Reactor Institute facilitates researchers and users of various research disciplines. Its research focuses mainly on materials for energy conversion and storage, and health technology for imaging, diagnosis and therapy with radionuclides and protons. It provides education to students from various programs within TU Delft, and professionals.

Are you our new Instrument Scientist? Upload your motivation and CV using the application button below before April 1st, 2024. Please address your application to Jeroen Plomp [Head of instrument group]. The initial interviews will take place in April 2024.