Researcher Sustainable Chemistry

 Do you want to contribute as a scientist to a sustainable future? Are you skilled in organic or polymer chemistry and eager to explore the potential of biomass and CO₂ as feedstock for fossil-free products? When yes, our team is looking for you!

We, Wageningen University & Research (WUR), are looking for an enthusiastic researcher in organic chemistry or polymer chemistry to further expand our group Sustainable Chemistry & Technology. Annually, we perform dozens of research projects for industry, governments, and public-private partnerships. Most of our projects concern the conversion of biomass or CO₂ into sustainable chemicals and polymers, whilst in other projects we chemically tailor the functional properties of natural (bio)polymers towards specific applications. Each project is staffed with a dedicated team of scientists and led by a matching project leader. With the products and processes we develop, we contribute to sustainable solutions for global problems like those associated with non-biodegradable chemicals and plastics.

YOUR ROLE
Your work will be to:

• synthesize biobased, low molecular weight (building blocks for) monomers, detergents, solvents, etc., and/or synthesize biobased polymers. 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;
• identify and characterize the products you obtained using a multitude of analytical tools, for which we are expertly equipped;
• set up, perform and interpret experiments with a high 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;
• report the results of your work internally - to the team and project leader.

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

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

In our expertise group Sustainable Chemistry, cutting edge applied research is performed in which organic- and polymer chemistry are core tools to produce an array of biobased chemicals and polymers. By combining these and other conversion technologies, like electrochemistry, biocatalysis and fermentation, we bring a truly circular economy and fossil-free, CO₂-neutral future closer.

 

We ask

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

• a BSc or MSc in chemistry, with a specialization in organic chemistry, chemical technology or polymer chemistry;
• affinity to work as a researcher in a commercial contract research organisation, for which flexibility, learning ability and stress tolerance are key competences. This enables you to annually work on multiple and often diverse projects, as is common in our institute;
• proficiency in the English language, both written and orally (CEFRL level C1), and strong reporting skills. Knowledge of the Dutch language is not a precondition;
• an organised and result-oriented work attitude.

The following qualities are considered a major plus:

• demonstrable experience with biobased, polymer, and/or computational chemistry;
• concrete working experience in a knowledge-intensive R&D environment.

 

We offer

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;
• the option to accrue additional compensation hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• 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 4%;
• 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 €3024,- and €4809,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 9 or 10).

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 The Netherlands.

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. Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may qualify for a special tax relief, known as the 30% ruling. Our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.

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 and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling, and other issues.
 

More information

Do you want more information?
For more information about this position, please contact Dr. Arie van de Bent, Manager Sustainable Chemistry & Technology, tel. +31317480231, or by e-mail: arie.vanderbent@wur.nl, or Dr. Daan van Es, expertise leader Sustainable Chemistry, tel. +31317481160, or by e-mail: daan.vanes@wur.nl.
 
For more information about the procedure, please contact Rutger Voorrips, Corporate Recruiter, tel. +31 317480571, or by e-mail: rutger.voorrips@wur.nl.
 
Do you want to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.
 
Don’t wait with your application. As soon as we have suitable applicants, we will start the interview process. Will we talk to you soon?
 
Equal opportunities
Wageningen University & Research employs a large number of people with very different backgrounds and qualities, who inspire and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organisation and be offered the same career opportunities. We therefore especially welcome applications from people who are underrepresented at WUR. For more information please go to our inclusivity page. A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment.
 

We are

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,200 employees (6,400 FTE) and 13,200 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. WUR is unique in its highly integrated approach to issues and extensive collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the five reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video to get an idea of our green campus!

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.


 

Apply now