Laboratory Technician Position

We (A-LIFE & AIMMS, VU Amsterdam) are recruiting a part-time technician to join the team. You will contribute to the development of a robust NAD+ fluorescent biosensor to visualize glycolytic oscillations in diabetes.

Your function

Diabetes mellitus affects ~600 million adults worldwide and, despite symptom management, no cure exists. Preventing or reversing the disease requires understanding how pancreatic β-cells regulate insulin secretion. Glycolytic oscillations, essential for insulin release, are traditionally measured by NAD+ autofluorescence in extracts or pooled cultures, but not in living single cells due to cytotoxic light exposure. In this project, we will develop robust, pH-stable NAD+ biosensors based on fluorescent proteins using an optimized high-throughput yeast screening pipeline, enabling detailed single-cell studies with broad biomedical relevance.

Your Duties

• Generate large fluorescent biosensors library through molecular cloning
• Develop, optimize and use screening methods to identify robust sensor variants from the libraries
• Maintain a detailed digital lab journal to record experiments and results.

Your profile

• A recent HLO graduate (or expected to graduate shortly after project commencement) or equivalent laboratory experience.
• Strong experimental skills; experience with molecular cloning and yeast physiology is a plus
• Proficiency in English, both written and spoken.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

What do we offer?

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world.

• A position for at least 0.7 FTE. Your employment contract will initially last 1 year.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• Group insured for partial disability with employer contribution of 50% of the premium
• Contribution to commuting expenses
• A wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge

About us

Faculty of Science

Working at the Faculty of Science means collaborating with students, lecturers and researchers who are focused on their field, yet have a broad view of the world. We are proud of a positive and inclusive workplace culture within the faculty, where we work together with great energy and a pragmatic attitude to tackle social challenges. At the Faculty of Science, scientists and students work on fundamental and complex societal issues for a sustainable, healthy and just future.

Our academic education and research are highly experimental, technical and interdisciplinary in nature. That is why we collaborate extensively with leading scientific institutes and industry.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research.