Researcher Sustainable Chemistry

Are you skilled in organic chemistry? Do you want to be part of a challenging research environment and want to contribute to a sustainable future? We are looking for a Researcher Sustainable Chemistry and we might be looking for you!

Wageningen Food & Biobased Research, part of WUR, offers you a challenging and market-oriented environment where motivated scientific professionals conduct research projects for industry, governments and public-private partnerships. The Sustainable Chemistry & Technology Group develops innovative knowledge and technologies that enable the future production of functional chemicals and materials from renewable carbon sources, as an alternative to the current fossil-based ones.

What are you going to do?
You will participate in multidisciplinary, applied scientific research projects in the field of sustainable chemistry.

Your activities will include:

• synthesizing biobased, low molecular weight (building blocks for) e.g., monomers, detergents, and solvents. The functionalization of natural polymers may also be part of your work. Desk and lab research are intertwined elements of your work, with an emphasis on the latter;
• identification and characterization of the products you obtained using a multitude of analytical tools, for which we are expertly equipped;
• setting up, executing and interpreting experiments with a great level of autonomy. You stay in close contact with your project leader and team members to align your activities with those of others and ensure optimal progress;
• reporting the results of your work to the project team.

Depending on your personal ambitions, education level and experience, you may also contribute to:

• writing external reports and making oral presentations for our clients;
• disseminating non-confidential results in peer-reviewed scientific journals, professional journals and other media;
• writing proposals and/or work plans for the acquisition of new projects. In this process, you collaborate with other experts and members of our commercial team.

Next to the conversion of biomass or CO2 into sustainable functional chemicals and materials, our projects also involve the green modification of natural (bio)polymers to better suit the required properties for specific applications, such as home & personal care products or water treatment solutions. Increasingly important aspects are well defined end-of-life scenarios, such as biodegradability and/or recyclability. With the products and processes we develop, we contribute to sustainable solutions for global problems like those associated with non-biodegradable, persistent and accumulating chemicals and plastics. Joining the Sustainable Chemistry & Technology Group is a perfect opportunity when you have the ambition to explore the potential of biomass and CO2 as feedstock for fossil-free products.

Requirements:

You are a skilled and creative researcher and an effective team player. Specifically, we ask:

• a degree in chemistry at a minimum MSc-level, with a specialization in organic chemistry, carbohydrate or polysaccharide chemistry (NB: a BSc-degree with a substantial years of working experience may also fulfil the requirements);
• affinity to work as a researcher in a commercial contract research organization, where flexibility, learning ability and stress tolerance are key competencies. This allows you to work on different and often diverse projects, as is customary within our institute;
• an organized and results-oriented working attitude.

The following qualities are considered a major plus:

• demonstrable experience with and affinity for biobased, carbohydrate or polysaccharide chemistry;
• concrete work experience in a knowledge-intensive R&D environment;
• proficiency of the Dutch language.

In our international working environment there is an increasing amount of communication in English. For this position it is about language level C1.

WUR welcomes applications from international candidates. However, for applicants for this specific position from outside the EU/EFTA zone, immigration restrictions may apply based on Dutch and EU immigration laws. Such candidates may be eligible for an orientation year in the Netherlands or a visa as a knowledge migrant.

You can see that there are plenty of challenges ahead of you. These challenges can also be seen as development opportunities. So if you do not yet have the track-record required in the vacancy, but do have solid work experience, we would also like to invite you to apply.

Salary Benefits:

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed December bonus of 8,3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. We offer, depending on your experience, a competitive gross salary of between €3316,- and €5273,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 9-10). As for your contract, we initially offer a one-year contract that can be extended - if possible within (company) organizational circumstances - on good performance. Of course, we are happy to have a conversation with you if you have any questions about this.

Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a multi-faceted position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland and with your work you have a clear and positive impact on society. At WUR we work on the most pressing challenges of our time, like climate change and feeding the world in a sustainable way.

Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.

Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family. If you come with a partner, we offer a Dual Career group program organized by our Welcome Center. This program helps your partner to get familiar with the Dutch culture, labour market and assists your partner to find a job.

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example housing, opening a bank account or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.

36 hours per week

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