Utrecht University, Department of Earth Sciences

Utrecht University’s Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth’s core to its surface, including man’s spatial and material utilisation of the Earth – always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.

The Department of Earth Sciences conducts teaching and research across the full range of the solid Earth and environmental Earth sciences, with activities in almost all areas of geology, geochemistry, geophysics, biogeology and hydrogeology. Our key research themes are Earth & Planetary Processes, Sustainable Use of the Subsurface, Planetary Health & Environment, and Climate & Life. The department hosts a highly international tenured staff. We house or have access to a wide variety of world-class laboratories, among which are UU’s Electron Microscopy Centre, the Geolab, and the Earth Simulation Lab. We also have excellent High- Performance Computing facilities.

Homepage: https://www.uu.nl/geo/aw/

We are looking for an analytical chemistry analyst with an affinity for scientific research to strengthen our team in the PFAS laboratory. Our PFAS lab, which operates as a project-based laboratory within the Faculty of Geosciences, generates results that contribute to a broad range of PFAS research within the PFAS Living Lab UU. In the PFAS Living Lab UU, students and scientists from the Faculty of Geosciences and the Faculty of Science collaborate closely.

Your job

In this role, you will perform extractions and conduct measurements using LC–MS/MS. In addition, you will develop and validate methods for PFAS analyses, prepare reports, carry out minor maintenance, and supervise students and scientists in their research activities. Based on your knowledge and experience, you will advise users on appropriate approaches and analytical methods.

Within the PFAS laboratory, both experiments and sample preparation activities are carried out, such as extractions. Sample materials mainly consist of aqueous samples (e.g. groundwater or surface water) and soil samples. We aim not only to perform routine PFAS analyses, but also to develop methods for measuring ultra short-chain PFAS and to establish a method for direct injection on the LC–MS/MS.

You will carry out measurements, collaborate closely with other team members, manage the chemical inventory, and place orders when necessary. You are jointly responsible for the proper functioning of the equipment and the quality control of measurements, as well as for developing methods on both existing and new instruments. Together with involved scientists and colleagues, you will also develop new analytical methods.

Preferably, you already have experience as an emergency response officer (BHV), or you are willing to obtain BHV certification in order to strengthen our laboratory emergency response team.

Your qualities

We are looking for a motivated, proactive, and flexible analyst who enjoys working in a dynamic environment with diverse research questions. In addition, you meet the following requirements:

• You have at least a higher professional education (HBO) degree in analytical chemistry or an equivalent qualification;
• You have experience with LC–MS/MS;
• You are able to work independently and think analytically, and you actively support scientists and students by contributing ideas;
• You are curious about new developments within the field of PFAS research;
• You are ambitious and eager to explore whether new developments can be integrated into our analytical toolkit; experience in PFAS research and/or analyses is therefore an asset;
• You are willing, where necessary, to keep your knowledge up to date by attending seminars and/or courses related to PFAS developments and technologies;
• You are capable of performing daily instrument maintenance; technical insight and logical thinking are therefore advantageous;
• You are proficient in working with Excel;
• You work carefully, systematically, and independently, while also being a strong team player;
• You have excellent communication skills, enabling you to interact effectively with various stakeholders (scientists, students, and external clients) in both Dutch and English;
• You are willing to act as an emergency response officer in the event of a hazardous situation and to obtain and maintain the required certifications.

Terms of employment

We offer

• a position for 12 months with the prospect of an extension of 24 months, within the PFAS laboratory in the GeoLab;
• a working week of 32 - 40 hours and a gross monthly salary between € 3.057 and €4.484 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 7 or 8, depending on your level of education and experience, under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University also offers a range of its own schemes for employees. This includes arrangements for professional development, various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities. You can also tailor your employment conditions through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage you to keep investing in your personal and professional development. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

For informal information (not for application), please contact Dr Johan van Leeuwen via j.a.vanleeuwen@uu.nl.

To apply, please go to the advertisement on UU's own website. We aim to make a quick evaluation after the application deadline of February 8th, 2026. The start of the position can be a.s.a.p. thereafter.

Note that international candidates that need a visa/work permit for the Netherlands require at least four months processing time after selection and acceptance. This will be arranged with help of the International Service Desk (ISD) of our university. Finding appropriate housing in or near Utrecht is your own responsibility and, unfortunately, we must warn that it is a tight market at the moment. In case of general questions about working and living in The Netherlands, please consult the Dutch Mobility Portal.

Online screening may be part of the selection. Commercial response to this ad is not appreciated.