Isotope geochemistry laboratory manager f/m

Location: AMSTERDAM
FTE: 1

Job description

The Geology and Geochemistry section of the Department of Earth Science at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam seeks an isotope geochemistry laboratory manager with broad technical expertise and scientific interest. He/she will join an active research group of 17 staff, 7 post docs and 18 PhD's. The lab manager will be responsible for providing daily support in the clean lab and ICP-MS and (LA)-MC-ICPMS facilities with tasks including management of laboratory logistics, instrument maintenance and development of analytical protocols.

Your duties

The main activities will include:

• Responsibility for the daily operation of the cleanroom;
• Responsibility for daily maintenance of a (LA)-MC-ICPMS and ICP-MS equipment;
• Support and instruct students, post-docs and student-assistants in the use of clean lab, ICP-MS and MC-ICPMS;
• Assist in the development of new techniques and protocols;
• Contribute to scientific research and publications;
• Contribute to basic administrative tasks (ordering, invoices etc.);
• Contribute to the selection of new equipment.

• A PhD in geochemistry, with extensive experience in the development of clean lab and MC-ICPMS (TIMS) procedures;
• Excellent English language communication skills;
• An open attitude towards multi-disciplinary research and be a team player;

What are we offering?

A challenging position in a socially involved organization. On full-time basis the remuneration amounts to a maximum monthly salary € 4,474 (gross) (scale 10), depending on your education and experience. The job profile: is based on the university job ranking system and is vacant for at least 1 FTE.

The initial employment contract will be initially for a period of 1 year with a view to a permanent position within 3 years upon satisfactory performance. Additionally, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers excellent fringe benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work/life balance, such as:

• a maximum of 41 days of annual leave based on full-time employment, 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus, solid pension scheme (ABP), possibility to save holiday hours, for sabbatical leave, child daycare facilities available on campus, contribution to commuting expenses, discounts on collective insurances (healthcare- and car insurance); optional model for designing a personalized benefits package

About Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

The ambition of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is clear: to contribute to a better world through outstanding education and ground-breaking research. We strive to be a university where personal development and commitment to society play a leading role. A university where people from different disciplines and backgrounds collaborate to achieve innovations and to generate new knowledge. Our teaching and research encompass the entire spectrum of academic endeavor from the humanities, the social sciences and the natural sciences through to the life sciences and the medical sciences.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is home to more than 30,000 students. We employ over 5,500 individuals. The VU campus is easily accessible and located in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas district, a truly inspiring environment for teaching and research.

Diversity

We are an inclusive university community. Diversity is one of our most important values. We believe that engaging in international activities and welcoming students and staff from a wide variety of backgrounds enhances the quality of our education and research. We are always looking for people who can enrich our world with their own unique perspectives and experiences.

The Faculty of Science

The Faculty of Science inspires researchers and students to find sustainable solutions for complex societal issues. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to medicines and from molecules to the moon: our teaching and research programmes cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. We share knowledge and experience with leading research institutes and industries, both here in the Netherlands and abroad.

Working at the Faculty of Science means working with students, PhD candidates and researchers, all with a clear focus on their field and a broad view of the world. We employ more than 1,250 staff members, and we are home to around 6,000 students.

About the department

The Department of Earth Sciences is part of the Faculty of Science and has approximately 35 permanent staff members organized in twelve research groups. Research in the department is focused on two general areas: Geology & Geochemistry and Earth & Climate.

The Geology and Geochemistry section (https://vu.nl/en/about-vu/more-about/geology-and-geochemistry-earth-sciences) is a world-leading research group that develops state-of-the-art research methods and instrumentation for application to geochemistry, petrology, planetology, tectonics and sedimentology. A major focus is on the use of isotopes and trace-elements to decipher surface and interior processes of Earth and terrestrial planets. The isotope geochemistry laboratories operate as a national facility and hence also apply newly developed techniques across the sciences and social sciences, including for example novel applications in ecology, archaeology, forensics and art history.

The national facility will move into a new building in early 2024 that includes state-of-the-art purpose built clean and mass spectrometry laboratories. This move will be in conjunction with major investment (~3.5M) in new instrumentation expanding the facility to four multi-collector mass spectrometers and all the required support infrastructure: see https://vu.nl/en/about-vu/more-about/element-analysis-and-mass-spectrometry-laboratory-earth-sciences.

Application

Are you interested in this position? Please apply via the application button and upload your curriculum vitae and letter of motivation before May 13, 2022. The job interviews are planned for the week of 27th June.

Applications received by e-mail will not be processed.

Vacancy questions

If you have any questions regarding this vacancy, you may contact:

Name: Prof. dr. Gareth Davies
Position: Professor
E-mail: g.r.davies@vu.nl