Job description
Collaboration

This 3-year research technician position is part of a collaboration between Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) and University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder). The partnership includes three TU Delft research groups at the Department of Biotechnology (dr. Klijn, dr. Vieira-Lara, and dr. Jourdin) and one CU Boulder research group embedded in the Department of Mechnical Engineering (prof. Rieker). The overarching aim of this collaboration is to integrate and apply a novel analytical technique to perform real-time spectroscopic monitoring of the bioreactor off-gas for two different types of bioprocesses, namely microbial fermentation in suspension and biofilm-based microbial electrosynthesis. With this technology we set out to advance bioprocess understanding and accelerate bioprocess optimization, scale-up, and automated control.

Team

The content of the partnership leads to highly interdisciplinary and collaborative research. The complete team to be implemented at TU Delft will consist of 2 post-doc positions (1. quantitative monitoring of MES and 2. quantitative monitoring of microbial suspension cultures), 2 PhD candidates (1. volatile fingerprints of microbial suspension cultures and 2. data analytics/machine learning and control), and 2 technicians (1. support MES cultures and 2. support suspension cultures, both are involved with tech transfer and integration). In addition, there are three research positions part of prof. Rieker's team at CUB with which we will closely collaborate throughout the project. We are looking for people who can showcase their ability to work well in a team, are effective in sharing theoretical knowledge and technical know-how, and excell as creative problem solvers.

MES Research technician

The 3-year research technician position in this vacancy will focus on performing and supporting wet-lab activities applied to microbial electrochemical fermentation. The technician will culture pure microbial strains of autotrophic microorganisms, operate bioreactors, perform analyses (e.g. HPLC, GC, MS), and support data analysis. We seek to hire a technician who is open minded and willing to learn about microbial electrochemical systems and how those bioreactors operate, including the side apparatus connected to them such as mass flow controllers, pH controllers, pumps, etc. As our colleague, you will closely collaborate with other technicians in the Bioprocess Engineering section and in the department, as well as with academic staff members and students. Specifically, you will collaborate with the other technician in this project (hired later on) who will focus on hardware integration between bioreactors and sensor technologies as well as complex data analysis and automation, thus an affinity for these aspects is a plus. Affinity with other technical aspects of our lab is also valued, e.g. with Computer-Aided Design drawing and 3D-printing. Moreover, it is expected that you enjoy a dynamic environment, are eager to learn new things and to help others.

Jourdin's group description

In the Jourdin's group, a multiscale approach is taken to study microbial electrosynthesis, investigating phenomena from nanometer to meter scales, and from fundamental to applied perspectives. Many, yet uncharacterised and interdependent phenomena occur at the interface between microbiology, material science, (electro)chemistry, and engineering. Overall, the aim of the group is to identify, study, and overcome limitations across physical and time-scales towards scaling-up microbial electrosynthesis technology. Both experimental and modelling approaches are used.

Job requirements
We are looking for an outstanding and creative technician with a strong background on wet-lab fermentation activities. This includes the internal motivation to expand your horizon, ablilty to learn quickly, and strong communication skills to easily connect with all team members.

Required educational backgroud

• At least completed HBO-level education in biotechnology, microbiology, biochemical engineering or a closely related discipline

Recent experience or clearly supported motivation

• Worked in fermentation laboratory

Required technical skills

• Wet-lab fermentation skills
• Bioreactor operation
• Thorough knowledge of analytical techniques (e.g. HPLC, GC, MS, TOC/TN)

Skills that are considered a plus

• Affinity with hardware integration to bioreactors
• Theoretical (and practical) knowledge on spectroscopy techniques
• Experience with, or interest in, CAD drawing
• Experience with, or interest in, 3D-printing

Sought-after transferable skills

• Pro-active and problem solving mindset
• Excellent written and spoken English skills
• Ability to break-down and communicate complex research data
• Thrives in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary, and highly collaborative environment

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
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!

Faculty Applied Sciences
With more than 1,100 employees, including 150 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,600 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we educate innovative students in broad Bachelor's and specialist Master's programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Applied Sciences.

Conditions of employment

• Duration of contract is 3 years Temporary
• A job of 36-40 hours per week.
• A salary based on Schaal 09 of the CAO for Dutch Universities with a salary between €3502 - €4812 gross per month based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.
• An excellent pension scheme via the ABP.
• The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year.
• Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages.
• Flexible working week.
• Every year, 232 leave hours (at 38 hours). You can also sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget.
• Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses.
• Partially paid parental leave
• Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program.

Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Ludovic Jourdin (associate professor), via L.Jourdin@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 3 February 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• 2-page CV, including contact details of 2 to 3 references
• 1-page motivation letter

You can address your application to Ludovic Jourdin (associate professor). If your application package does not include these items, we cannot take your application under consideration. The application documents may be submitted in Dutch, but note that we are an international research group and English proficiency is required for this position.

The application procedure may include an informal video call to talk about the motivation to apply for this position, before the formal interview with a larger committee. The date for the formal interview is fixed and will be performed on Tuesday 11th of February (between 13.30 and 17.00). Please keep this date and time available. The envisioned starting date is May/June. For more information about the application procedure, please contact our management assistant, Kawieta Ramautar, per email: K.G.Ramautar@tudelft.nl.

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• For the final candidates, a knowledge security check will be part of the application procedure. For more information on this check, please consult Chapter 8 of the National Knowledge Security Guidelines. We carry out this check on the basis of legitimate interest.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.