PhD Position in Chemistry

Faculty:
Faculty of Science

Department:
Department of Chemistry

Hours per week:
32 to 40

Application deadline:
30 April 2026

Position Overview

The Netherlands Centre for Electron Nanoscopy (NeCEN) at Utrecht University will host a Krios 5 microscope (with Selectris & Falcon 4i) and a plasma focused ion beam (pFIB) microscope. This advanced facility will support molecular research ranging from biochemically purified molecules to tissue analysis and is embedded within the EM Centre that also serves non-life science users. You will assist users, providing expert advice, setting up acquisition sessions, and ensuring optimal microscope performance.

Your job

You play an important role in ensuring our diverse user community has the best possible experience at our facility. Your focus will be on delivering high quality data and sample preparation assistance, primarily on the Krios microscope, while also optimizing the operation of the pFIB. In a collaborative, cross-disciplinary environment, your work will enable high-impact discoveries in the life sciences and impact health and sustainability.

You can expect a varied range of responsibilities:

• Performing data collection, including monitoring of data quality for single particle analysis (SPA) and tomography projects;
• Conducting regular equipment benchmarking to ensure all microscope components are functioning as needed;
• Exploring and implementing improved data collection and sample preparation strategies, including testing new (open source) software on both the Krios and pFIB on varied samples;
• Providing customized training to users from a wide range of life science disciplines and with varying levels of experience with EM;
• Communicating experimental details to users and assisting with data analysis within collaborative projects
• Consulting with other cryo-EM experts in the region and internationally, participating in cryo-EM meetings and workshops, and staying up-to-date with best practices;
• Collaborating with colleagues to ensure the smooth operation of ancillary cryo-EM equipment (cryo-plunger, high pressure freezer, glow discharger, etc).

Your qualities

We are looking for a collaborative, knowledgeable and service-minded colleague with a background in academic research. You meet many of the following criteria:

• MSc or PhD in the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, or a related field;
• Experience in maintaining and using cryo-electron microscopy equipment;
• Experience in cryo-EM single particle analysis and cryo-electron tomography;
• Good communication skills;
• Fluency in written and spoken English.

Our offer

• a position for one year. After a positive evaluation, the position will be made permanent;
• a working week of 32 - 40 hours and a gross monthly salary between € 3.708 and €5.538 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 9 - 10 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.

About us

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

Working at the Faculty of Science means bringing together inspiring people across disciplines and with a variety of perspectives and backgrounds. The Faculty has six departments: Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Information & Computing Sciences, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Together, we work on excellent research and inspiring education. We do so, driven by curiosity and supported by outstanding infrastructure. Visit us on LinkedIn and discover how you can become part of our community.

NeCEN at Utrecht University was established in 2026 to expand imaging capacity to the growing Dutch life science cryo-EM community, as part of the EMPower Large-Scale Research Infrastructure supported by NWO. Working closely with NeCEN at Leiden University, we operate as a unified, two-site national facility for Cryo-EM. Beyond this, the position offers a unique opportunity to work with other expert electron microscopists across diverse disciplines, including geology and materials science, within our interfaculty, multidisciplinary EM Centre.

More information

For more information, please contact Stuart Howes at s.c.howes@uu.nl.

Do you have a question about the application procedure? Please send an email to science.recruitment@uu.nl.

Apply now

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.

If you are enthusiastic about this position, apply via the "Apply now" button! Please enclose:

• your letter of motivation;
• your Curriculum vitae;
• the names, telephone numbers, and email addresses of at least two references.

If this specific opportunity isn’t for you, but you know someone else who may be interested, please forward this vacancy to them.

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Application deadline: 30 April 2026