Chemical Analyst

Your job

We are looking for a Chemical Analyst who also wants to play a central role in the Dutch national monitoring network for measuring radioactivity in food.

Please note, fluency in Dutch is a must have for this position.

You enjoy performing radioactive analyses on food samples in the laboratory, contributing to the development of new analytical methods, supporting external operators of food monitoring stations across the country, and maintaining the database of measurement results. This also means visiting food monitoring stations throughout the Netherlands to perform activities such as calibrations. In addition, providing training to operators and organizing proficiency exercises are part of your responsibilities.

What will you do?

As a Chemical Analyst

• you will perform analytical methods for the measurement of alpha, beta, and gamma radiation according to established protocols and contribute to the development and validation of methods for the detection of various radioactive substances in food products;
• you will work closely with fellow researchers within WFSR and report to project leaders and the team leader.

In addition to your analytical work, you will manage the national network of food monitoring stations, maintain contact with operators throughout the country, organize proficiency testing schemes, and visit locations within the National Food Radioactivity Monitoring Network when required.

What is the National Food Radioactivity Monitoring Network?

The National Food Radioactivity Monitoring Network consists of approximately 50 food monitoring stations distributed throughout the Netherlands. These stations contribute to the monitoring of radioactivity in food products across the country.

In the event of a radiological emergency, such as the Chernobyl disaster, the network provides an immediate overview of the situation nationwide, enabling authorities to take appropriate measures based on the monitoring results.

As the coordinator of this network, you are responsible for ensuring the operational availability of the monitoring stations, training operators, providing technical support, and coordinating maintenance activities.

Within the Contaminants Team (process contaminants, heavy metals, and radioactivity), we develop and optimize a wide variety of chemical analytical techniques for the detection of inorganic compounds in food and feed. Once validated, these methods are applied to determine whether food and feed products comply with regulatory requirements concerning the presence of these substances.

Your qualities

• a completed Bachelor's degree (HBO) in Chemistry, or an MBO qualification in Chemistry combined with several years of relevant work experience;
• demonstrable experience with instrumental analytical techniques;
• experience with radioactivity measurements (alpha, beta, and/or gamma measurements) is an advantage;
• affinity with automation, computer networks, and databases;
• experience working in an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory is an advantage;
• a results-oriented professional with a strong focus on quality;
• strong communication skills, both written and verbal, combined with a proactive attitude.

In our international working environment there is an increasing amount of communication in English. For this position it is about language level B2.

Fluency in Dutch (C1 level) is a must have for this position.

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;
• 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 year-end bonus of 8,3%;