Chemical Analyst (Nutrient Laboratories)

Do you have a strong background in analytical chemistry and are you interested in working as a Chemical Analyst (research assistant) in ocean research? Then the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ) has an interesting job on offer for you. Full-time appointment with prospect of a permanent contract.

THE INSTITUTE

NIOZ is the national oceanographic institute of the Netherlands. Its principal mission is to perform high-quality, multidisciplinary marine research and education addressing important scientific and societal questions pertaining to the functioning of oceans, seas and deltas. NIOZ advances fundamental understanding of marine systems, the way they change, the role they play in climate and biodiversity, and how they may contribute to a sustainable future. NIOZ serves as national marine research facilitator for the scientific community in The Netherlands. In addition to its research and education, NIOZ supports the development of marine policy within the national and international context.

THE DEPARTMENT

The department of Ocean Systems (OCS) studies the role of the ocean in a changing climate, from equator to pole, from the continental shelf to the deep ocean and from the past to the present. The ocean is Earth’s largest reservoir of CO₂ and heat; circulation, mixing, biogeochemistry and other processes strongly impact global climate; advanced ocean observations allow us to decipher the current and future functioning of the ocean. Furthermore, seafloor sediments have recorded past changes in conditions on land and in the ocean, in the form of biological residues or physical and chemical signals, which allow us to reconstruct feedbacks between oceanic processes and climate in the (ancient) past. Today, the ocean is changing rapidly because of (human) stressors such as pollution, warming, overexploitation and eutrophication. This impacts on the strongly linked but poorly understood ocean processes that control marine ecosystem functioning and thereby climate. The OCS department investigates ocean functioning by means of sea-going expeditions, during which data and samples are collected from the water column and the seafloor. The samples are analyzed in on-board and on-shore laboratories and we have collected a large information and sample repository over past decades, which serves as the basis of our ocean research.

THE VACANCY

At OCS, we are looking for a Chemical Analyst (research assistant) to join the analytical team working in our Nutrient Laboratories. The work mostly takes place in the OCS laboratories, but you may also be deployed for short periods of time to collect and analyze samples during sea-going expeditions. This dynamic and diverse job requires you to:

• Execute and manage various experimental techniques, including nutrient analyses and isotope analyses (spectrophotometry, isotope ratio mass spectrometry, liquid water isotope analysis);
• Show the ability, flexibility and enthusiasm to learn new techniques;
• Facilitate frontier research by improving existing analytical techniques and contribute to quality control and innovation, both within OCS and in (inter)national consortia (for instance by participating in intercalibration efforts);
• Support students and scientists in planning and executing experiments and analyses;
• Maintain and trouble-shoot analytical equipment, coordinating servicing by specialized engineers;
• Process and archive (raw) data using NIOZ’ Data Archiving System.

THE CANDIDATE

For this position, we are looking for a candidate with a strong profile in analytical chemistry and the capabilities and flexibility to master several challenging analytical techniques. We want to find an enthusiastic and proactive colleague who is eager to work in a diverse and multi-disciplinary team of technicians and scientists, always with a sharp eye on data quality. You respect and contribute to the safe and inclusive work environment of NIOZ.

The candidate has:

• Completed a Bachelor/HBO education in laboratory techniques or equivalent, preferably analytical chemistry.
• Affinity and preferably experience with nutrient and/or isotope analyses.
• Strong organizing skills with flexibility to work in dynamic projects.
• A proactive and critical attitude to ensure optimal results.
• Experience or interest in ocean sciences.
• Strong communication skills in Dutch and English

NIOZ wants to be a transparent institute with a healthy working climate and an inclusive culture, where people with diverse backgrounds bring their talents and further develop these talents. We aim for inclusive decision-making processes and expect our leadership to show visible commitment, awareness of bias, and cultural intelligence.

Please note that non-EU citizen can only apply for this position when they have a valid work permit for working in the Netherlands as it is not regarded as a scientific position.

THE CONDITIONS

• Employment of this full-time position at Royal NIOZ is by NWO-I for a duration of 1 year. With mutual agreement, this will be converted to a permanent position.
• Salary compliant with CAO-WVOI (Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Research Institutes) scale 8/9, depending on the candidate's education and relevant experience. 
• The freedom to fulfill your role and space and opportunities for your personal (talent) development with the help of the NIOZ Academy.
• 338 annualized holiday hours for a full-time 40-hour work week.
• Pension scheme via ABP, 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.33%. 
• 2nd class public transportation travel is reimbursed 100%.
• Employment benefits plan to exchange a portion of your salary for days off or vice versa or can be used to purchase a bicycle with tax benefits.
• Please note that non-EU citizen can only apply for this position when they have a valid work permit for working in the Netherlands as it is not regarded as a scientific position.

MORE INFORMATION
For additional information about this vacancy, please contact Gert-Jan Reichart (Head of OCS Department) or Peter Kraal (Chair of the selection committee). For more information about the hiring procedure, please send an e-mail to working@nioz.nl.