Research Technician Biomaterials and Biomedical Technology

We are currently looking for a research technician for the chemistry-oriented activities in our department to strengthen our team.

Research Technician Biomaterials and Biomedical Technology

Job description

As a research technician you will support physicochemical characterisation methods, and assist in the mechanical and chemical analytical approaches, which includes maintenance, running and instructing on the characterisation and analytical systems. At the same time, you will perform weekly assigned lab jobs (e.g. maintaining inventory, equipment maintenance, data entry, etc.), diligently and accurately keep records and report results to team leads, supervisors, as necessary. The work may also involve in-house development of new equipment. Finally, you will contribute to writing, amending, and reviewing SOPs, lab worksheets, equipment methodologies, and validation reports. You will be part of a vibrant and enthusiastic group that works closely with clinically oriented research and collaborate with researchers from the Faculty of Science & Engineering.

Working environment

At the department of Biomaterials & Biomedical Technology (BBT) at the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) research focuses on the advancement of human health care, from diagnosis to treatment. The mission of BBT is to conduct research and to provide training on the application of engineering and biomaterials in the human body. Our focus is on pre-clinical research, but also clinically oriented research and education are conducted in collaboration with clinical departments. We aim to restore function in patients with irreversible loss of function, which cannot be achieved by natural bodily processes using biomaterials, or to prevent potential loss of function by developing improved diagnostic methods, and imaging techniques.

BBT is part of the central UMCG campus in the vibrant university city of Groningen, in the north of the Netherlands and offers a highly international environment with more than half of the employees being non-Dutch.

What do we need

We are looking for a technically oriented Research Technician. Someone who brings creativity and inventiveness when it comes to equipment and technical solutions. Ideally, you enjoy mastering laboratory equipment and are willing to repair and maintain it when needed. You will be a key point of contact within the team for the more technical aspects of the work. A technical educational background or a strong technical affinity is therefore important, while you will of course also work hands-on in the laboratory. You think out of the box and can develop and implement solutions when a research group encounters a technical challenge. In addition, you can explain technical concepts clearly and calmly to colleagues.

Besides the more technical part, the position requires the knowledge and skills normally acquired through completion of a BSc (University or University of Applied Sciences) or MSc in Chemistry (Analytical, Organic, Inorganic, Polymer, Physical). It would be an advantage if you have experience with, or interest in, some of the following techniques, which you will eventually take over and help supervise:

• Mechanical testing of materials, using techniques such as: Ultimate Tensile Testing (UTS), Texture Analysis, Universal Mechanical Testing (UMT), Low Load Compression Testing (LLCT) (both legacy and newer systems)
• 3D printing and bioprinting
• Rheometry
• Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation monitoring (QCM-D)
• Ellipsometry
• Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS)
• Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS)
• Quantum sensing/optics maintenance
• Atomic Force Microscopy
• X-ray Photoelectro Spectroscopy

You can work independently but can also function well in dynamic teams, you are flexible (also with respect to working hours) and not afraid to troubleshoot and you do not mind carrying out routine tasks from time to time and ensure that the lab is safe and managed adequately. Finally, as you interact with various researchers with different levels of chemical knowledge and different research focus and systems ranging from polymeric systems, bioconjugation, microfluidics, and molecular synthesis, you have excellent communication skills (in both Dutch and English) as well as a goal-oriented attitude. We seek someone who is immediately available.

What do we offer

We offer a position for 1 year for 36 hours a week, with a possibility for extension. The starting salary is dependent on your qualifications and relevant experience in scale 7M (max gross salary € 4.340,- based on a full-time position). In addition, the UMCG will offer you 8% holiday pay, and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. The conditions of employment comply with the Collective Labour Agreement for Medical Centres (CAO-UMC).