Vacatures

You are a highly motivated researcher with a MSc degree in chemistry, holding skills in organic and polymer synthesis. You are willing to collaborate closely with both public and private partners on the development of crosslinked mycelium materials.

Job description 
This project is part of the FWO-SBO project MycoMatters (developing next-generation sustainable mycelium-based materials). The consortium partners in the MycoMatters project are Free University Brussels (VUB), Antwerp University, Ghent University and Maastricht University. 

Driven by the urgently needed shift towards a more sustainable economy, there is a rising interest in mycelium materials, of which vegetative fungal biomass is a main component. Recently, focus is placed on materials with leather- and textile-like appearance for applications in fashion, apparel, interior design and automotive sectors. Despite the great promise and global investments, there are still challenges pertaining to the development of a material that meets performance criteria while being fully biobased and biodegradable and to developing a scalable cost-efficient production process. These challenges are addressed in the project, which aims to develop a robust process for production of 100% biobased and biodegradable mycelium-based materials with improved properties, such as mechanical strength and flexibility, durability but also visual and sensory attributes. The project aims to develop a higher-throughput small-scale fermentation platform, based on liquid-state surface fermentation, accelerating the research by enabling a screening of various feedstocks and process conditions, in direct connection to material characteristics. Key innovations include the use of biobased additives, such as crosslinkers, to enhance material properties and the integration of a bacterial synthetic biology host in a co-cultivation approach to optimize cost-efficiency of the process and quality of the product. Collaboration with users will guide initial product development and help to determine optimal applications, thereby further orienting the research. An interdisciplinary research approach will be employed, combining expertise in microbiology, synthetic biology, materials science, chemistry, engineering and product development. Project results will contribute to the future development of new value chains that provide environmentally conscious consumers with a fully biobased and biodegradable new material aligned with the circular economy principles.

The task of Maastricht University is to improve the material properties of mycelium such as mechanical strength and flexibility, durability but also visual and sensory attributes. Crosslinking with biobased and biodegradable materials will be explored and the crosslinking chemistry will use dynamic chemical bonds resulting in covalent adaptable networks that bring e.g. self-healing properties to mycelium. 

This PhD project will result in a joint PhD between Maastricht University (UM, the Netherlands) and Free University Brussels (VUB, Belgium). The PhD student will be appointed at the Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials of Maastricht University, which is part of the Faculty of Science and Engineering. You will work in the Sustainable Polymer Synthesis group of Associate Professor Katrien Bernaerts, which focusses on the synthesis and design of polymer materials with tunable properties and recyclability exploiting the functionality of biobased building blocks. At VUB, you will work in the physical chemistry group of Prof. Niko Van den Brande. The chemical part of the work will be preformed at UM location Brightlands-Chemelot Campus in Geleen (Nl), while the physicochemical part of the work will be performed at VUB, Pleinlaan 2, Brussels (Be).

Requirements
The PhD candidate:

• holds a MSc degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or related fields;
• has skills in organic synthesis, polymer synthesis and chemical characterization;
• has interest in the material characterization of covalent adaptable networks (rheology, DMA, tensile test, …);
• has a strong interest to investigate structure-property relationships of the synthesized mycelium materials more specific from mechanical point of view;
• is open to scale up materials for application tests by companies of the advisory board;
• takes care of profound scientific publishing in peer review journals, if appropriate after patenting the work first;
• likes to interact with academic and industrial partners;
• is result driven, inventive, creative, counts with potential impact, works ‘accountable’ and works with ownership; 
• masters scientific English for speaking, reading, and writing. Knowledge of Dutch is not required.

What we offer
As a PhD candidate at the Faculty of Science & Engineering, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands, with worklocation Geleen. In addition, we offer you:

• Good employment conditions. The position is gradedaccording to UFO profile PhD, with corresponding salary from €2901,00 in the first year and €3707,00 gross per month in the fourth year (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.
• An employment contract for a period of 12 months with a scope of 1,0 FTE. Upon a positive evaluation, an extension of 3 years will follow. 
• At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model. 
• As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students. 
• Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as 'acknowledge and appreciate'. 

The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, click here.

Maastricht University
Why work at Maastricht University?

At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. The future of our students, as we work to equip them with a solid, broad-based foundation for the rest of their lives. And the future of society, as we seek solutions through our research to issues from all around the world. Our six faculties combined provide a comprehensive package of study programmes and research.

In our teaching, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Students work in small groups, looking for solutions to problems themselves. By discussing issues and working together to draw conclusions, formulate answers and present them to their peers, students develop essential skills for their future careers.

With over 22,300 students and more than 5,000 employees from all over the world, UM is home to a vibrant and inspiring international community.

Are you drawn to an international setting focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute however your skills and qualities allow? Our door is open to you! As a young European university, we value your talent and look forward to creating the future together.

Click here for more information about UM. 

Faculty of Science and Engineering  
At the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE), we focus on themes such as circularity and sustainability, future farming, digitisation and (scientific) instrument development.  FSE's leading projects, like the Einstein Telescope Pathfinder, are sure to grab anyone's attention.  The faculty is a vibrant hub of education and research in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS).  At FSE, over 450 staff members and 3700 students gather to explore e exciting interdisciplinary research and educational programmes. Feel welcome, be part of our team and put your brilliant mind to work!  
 

FSE at the Brightlands Campuses  
Maastricht, Sittard-Geleen, Heerlen, and Venlo, the home of four creative Brightlands campuses, are bustling with 30,000 entrepreneurs, researchers, and students working diligently to solve global challenges. The Faculty of Science and Engineering is active on all four Brightlands campuses, and this is where our impact reaches its peak. To give you an idea of what is happening at each campus: Sittard-Geleen is home to the largest chemical site in the Euregion, while Venlo is a large hub for agri-food innovation. Maastricht is the site of the Health Campus, and Heerlen is the place to be for Smart Services.  
 

Department 
The Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials (AMIBM) is a department of the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) at Maastricht University. AMIBM is a European cross-border research institute established by Maastricht University and RWTH Aachen University focusing on the development of advanced biobased materials. The mission of AMIBM is to replace traditional polymer building blocks with innovative and sustainable alternatives for the development of novel and environmentally-beneficial materials. AMIBM promotes world-class multidisciplinary research in the field of biobased materials, by training PhD students with the multiple skills needed to be future leaders in the field, and creating the research breakthroughs that will enable the utilization of sustainable and renewable materials for advanced materials applications. The multidisciplinary team draws together scientists with expertise in organic chemistry, biocatalysis, lead finding of new biobased blocks, polymer chemistry, polymer physics, polymer engineering, biobased and biomedical materials, tissue engineering, and industrial and medical applications. More information can be found via https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/research/institutes/amibm/research/biobased-polymers 

Research group Sustainable Polymer Synthesis 
Main research focus is on the design and synthesis of sustainable polymer materials with tuneable properties for the circular economy. Sustainability entails biobased building blocks (but no biorefinery) instead of fossil raw materials, green routes for polymer synthesis and processing, as well as chemical recycling/reprocessing methods (biodegradability, depolymerization, dynamic bonds) to make the end-of-life of polymers more sustainable. Structure-property relationships of the resulting polymers are evaluated in several fields of application e.g. stimuli-responsive polymers, coatings, fibres, engineering plastics and biomedical materials. Growing focus on the use of artificial intelligence techniques to support and accelerate the experimental work, e.g. data interpretation and prediction of structure-property relationships.

Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Katrien Bernaerts, Associate Professor Sustainable Polymer Synthesis Katrien Bernaerts at Katrien.bernaerts@maastrichtuniversity.nl or +31 43 388 2636 for more information. 

Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new PhD? Apply now and submit:

• Cover letter including your motivation, your relevant experience (referring to the “description of the candidate”, above).
• CV.
• Names and contact data of two people who could provide a reference.
• Diplomas/degrees including a grade transcript of previous education.

We will recruit until the position is filled. The selection process commences immediately, but will close when a suitable candidate has been found, even if this prior to the final date of the application window. 
 

The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.

Bij ons nieuwe Cloud team hoort natuurlijk ook een Cloud Architect. Sta jij graag aan het roer van nieuwe ontwikkelingen? Lees dan zeker verder! 

Functieomschrijving
Als Cloud Architect bij de Universiteit Maastricht ben jij de architect van de toekomst, verantwoordelijk voor het ontwerpen van slimme cloudoplossingen en het neerzetten van de technische architectuur voor onze Azure- en Microsoft 365 omgevingen. Jij hebt, samen met de Product Owner, de lead in het bepalen van de Cloud-strategie en zorgt ervoor dat we met de nieuwste tech de beste oplossingen bieden. Tot jouw werkzaamheden behoren:

• Definiëren en ontwerpen van cloudoplossingen op basis van de behoeften van de organisatie;
• Ontwikkelen van technische architectuurmodellen en het maken van ontwerpdocumentatie;
• Samenwerken met verschillende teams en stakeholders om de Cloud strategie uit te dragen en af te stemmen;
• Het vormgeven van de Cloud-strategie, in samenwerking met de collega-architecten van de domeinen technology, research, education en operations;
• Adviseren en begeleiden van ontwikkelingsteams bij het implementeren van cloudoplossingen;
• Vertalen van de roadmap (features) naar concrete werkpakketten (stories) met duidelijke acceptatiecriteria;
• Het identificeren van beveiligingsrisico’s en de afstemming zoeken met het UM-SOC;
• Volgen van trends en ontwikkelingen op het gebied van Cloud technologieën en best practices;
• Fungeren als een technisch aanspreekpunt binnen de Universiteit Maastricht, en het delen van kennis met teamleden en stakeholders.

Functie-eisen

• HBO- of WO-werk- en denkniveau;
• Minimaal 3 jaar ervaring in een vergelijkbare functie als Cloud Architect of als Solution Designer;
• Diepgaande kennis van Cloud computing, met een sterke focus op Azure en Microsoft 365;
• Ervaring met het ontwerpen en implementeren van cloudoplossingen op basis van best practices;
• Inzicht in beveiliging, compliance en governance in Cloud omgevingen;
• Ervaring met het werken in een Agile/Scrum-omgeving;
• Uitstekende communicatieve vaardigheden en het vermogen om technische concepten te vertalen naar niet-technische stakeholders;
• Certificeringen zoals Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert, AWS Certified Solutions Architect, of vergelijkbaar zijn een pluspunt.

Wat biedt de UM?
Als Cloud Architect bij ICT Service Centrum kom je in dienst bij de meest internationale universiteit van Nederland in het prachtige Maastricht. Verder bieden wij je:

• Goede arbeidsvoorwaarden. De functie is ingeschaald in schaal 12 conform UFO-profiel Architectuur/Informatiebeveligingsofficer met bijbehorende salarisinschaling op basis van ervaring tussen €5.495,00 en €7.056,00 bruto per maand (op basis van een fulltime dienstverband van 38 uur per week). In aanvulling op het maandsalaris zijn een 8,0% vakantie-uitkering en een 8,3% eindejaarsuitkering van toepassing.
• Een arbeidsovereenkomst voor een periode van 12 maanden met een omvang van 1.0 FTE. Bij gebleken geschiktheid zal de arbeidsovereenkomst omgezet worden in een dienstverband voor onbepaalde tijd.
• Bij de Universiteit Maastricht staat het welzijn van onze medewerkers hoog in het vaandel, zo hanteren we flexibele werktijden en de mogelijkheid om deels vanuit huis te werken indien de aard van je functie dit toelaat. Hiervoor ontvang je maandelijks een thuiswerk- en internetvergoeding. Kom je fulltime bij ons werken, dan heb je jaarlijks recht op 29 vakantiedagen en 4 extra feestdagen, te weten carnavals maandag, -dinsdag, Goede Vrijdag en Bevrijdingsdag. Maak je gebruik van de mogelijkheid om compensatie-uren op te bouwen, dan komen hier nog eens 12 dagen bij. Daarnaast kun jij jouw arbeidsvoorwaarden personaliseren aan de hand van een cao-keuzemodel.  
• Als Universiteit Maastricht hebben we diverse andere mooie secundaire arbeidsvoorwaarden, hierbij kun je denken aan een goede pensioenregeling bij het ABP en kun je als UM-medewerker meedoen aan bedrijfsfitness en gebruik maken van het zeer uitgebreide sportaanbod dat wij ook aan onze studenten aanbieden.  
• Tot slot maar zeker niet onbelangrijk de ruimte en faciliteiten om jezelf te ontwikkelen: persoonlijk en in jouw vakgebied. Dit faciliteren we door het bieden van een ruim opleidingsaanbod en ondersteunen we door diverse breed gedragen initiatieven zoals ‘erkennen en waarderen’.  

De arbeidsvoorwaarden van de Universiteit Maastricht zijn grotendeels vastgelegd in de CAO Nederlandse Universiteiten. Daarnaast gelden lokale bepalingen, specifiek voor de UM. Voor meer informatie klik hier.

Universiteit Maastricht
Waarom werken aan de Universiteit Maastricht? 

Aan de Universiteit Maastricht (UM) draait alles om de toekomst.  Die van onze studenten omdat we ze een stevige, brede basis geven voor de rest van hun leven. En die van ons allemaal door ons onderzoek naar oplossingen voor vraagstukken in de hele wereld. Met onze zes faculteiten zorgen we voor een veelomvattend aanbod aan onderwijs en onderzoek.  

In ons onderwijs werken we met de methode Probleemgestuurd Onderwijs (PGO). Dit betekent dat onze studenten in kleine groepen zélf op zoek gaan naar oplossingen voor problemen en vraagstukken. Ze discussiëren samen, trekken conclusies, formuleren een antwoord en presenteren dat aan de hele groep. Zo doen ze belangrijke vaardigheden op voor hun hele loopbaan. 

De UM heeft op dit moment meer dan 22.300 studenten en ruim 5.000 medewerkers uit alle windstreken. Dat zorgt voor een inspirerende en bruisende internationale gemeenschap.   

Spreekt deze internationale omgeving waarin de wetenschap centraal staat jou aan? En wil jij hier vanuit een wetenschappelijke of juist staffunctie een steentje aan bijdragen? Dan ben jij met jouw unieke bijdrage van harte welkom! Want als jonge Europese Universiteit van Maastricht bieden we perspectief dat we vertalen naar jouw talent. Je bent waardevol voor onze universiteit en de maatschappij en we inspireren je om met trots en plezier samen te groeien. 

Voor meer informatie over de UM klik hier. 

ICT Service Centre
Je komt binnen de UM te werken voor het ICT Service Centre. Zo’n 100 professionals van ICTS zorgen er dag in dag uit voor dat studenten en medewerkers zowel binnen de UM, thuis als ook onderweg aan de slag kunnen met innovatieve en gedegen systemen in een veilige omgeving. Dit doen we door altijd de volgende doelen na te streven:   
 

1. Meer toegevoegde waarde voor onderwijs, onderzoek en bedrijfsvoering.    

2. Meer efficiency en meer focus op innovatie.    

3. Voldoen aan regelgeving op gebied van security en privacy.   

4. Leveren van een kwalitatief hoogwaardige dienstverlening.   
 

Om dit te bereiken werken we volgens de Agile filosofie om snel en effectief in te kunnen spelen op veranderingen. Met een grote mate van zelfstandigheid en verantwoordelijkheid werken onze teams onderling en overstijgend samen in kleine ‘sprints’ aan één doel. Vervolgens leren we van de evaluatie en verbeteren we op die manier continue onze dienstverlening. Dit alles in een open cultuur waarin gelijkwaardigheid en plezier in het werk minimaal net zo belangrijk zijn.  
 

Wil jij meer weten over het werken binnen ICTS? Onze collega’s vertellen je graag meer. 

 
Nieuwsgierig?
Ben jij geïnteresseerd geraakt in deze mooie functie maar heb je nog vragen? Neem dan gerust contact op met Ivo Ruiters via ivo.ruiters@maastrichtuniversity.nl voor meer informatie.  Heb je vragen over de procedure neem dan contact op met Doriënne Plum (Corporate Recruiter) via dorienne.plum@maastrichtuniversity.nl of 06-14856785.

Solliciteren?
Of ben je al overtuigd en word jij onze nieuwe Cloud Architect? Solliciteer dan nu, uiterlijk 20 mei 2025, op deze functie. 
 

De vacature staat open voor interne- en externe kandidaten. Bij gelijke geschiktheid hebben interne kandidaten voorrang.

Universiteit Maastricht zet zich in voor het bevorderen en behouden van een diverse en inclusieve gemeenschap. Wij geloven dat diversiteit in onze medewerkers- en studentenpopulatie bijdraagt aan de kwaliteit van onderzoek en onderwijs aan de UM. Dit willen we mogelijk maken door middel van inclusief beleid en innovatieve projecten in samenwerking met studenten en medewerkers. We moedigen je aan om voor deze functie te solliciteren.

Ben jij een gedreven jurist met een scherp oog voor complexe privaatrechtelijke vraagstukken en een vleugje humor? Wil jij impact maken en een bijdrage leveren aan baanbrekend wetenschappelijk onderzoek en innovaties? Heb je zin om jouw juridische kennis in te zetten in een omgeving waar projecten variëren van regeneratieve geneeskunde tot de Einstein Telescoop? Dan zoeken wij jou als onze nieuwe privaatrechtjurist bij de Universiteit Maastricht (UM)!

Functieomschrijving
Als privaatrechtjurist bij onze afdeling Juridische Zaken (JZ) ben jij het juridische aanspreekpunt voor alles wat met privaatrecht te maken heeft. Samen met vijf andere privaatrechtjuristen vorm je een hecht team waar kennisdeling en sparren vanzelfsprekend zijn.

Waar kom je terecht?

De afdeling Juridische Zaken maakt deel uit van het Maastricht University Office (MUO) en telt 16 juristen. Samen behandelen we dossiers op het gebied van bestuursrecht, arbeidsrecht, onderwijsrecht, privacyrecht en privaatrecht. Je werkt in een professionele maar informele sfeer, waarin ruimte is voor humor en een persoonlijke benadering.

Wat ga je doen?

• Juridisch en strategisch ondersteunen en adviseren van het College van Bestuur en verschillende eenheden binnen UM.
• Opstellen, beoordelen en onderhandelen van complexe overeenkomsten (zoals bijv. samenwerkings-, onderzoeks- en consortium overeenkomsten) rondom baanbrekend onderzoek.
• Adviseren over juridische conflicten, aansprakelijkheidskwesties en complexe casussen.
• UM vertegenwoordigen in juridische kwesties. 
• Bijdragen aan en bewaken van de juridische kwaliteit bij beleidsontwikkeling op privaatrechtelijke gebieden.
• Up-to-date houden van templates voor veelvoorkomende overeenkomsten.

Functie-eisen

Wie ben jij?

• Een energieke en sociale jurist met een academische achtergrond in privaatrecht (contractenrecht en verbintenissenrecht is een must, ondernemingsrecht en intellectueel eigendomsrecht een pre).
• Je hebt minimaal enkele jaren ervaring in een advies- of procespraktijk.
• Je hebt sterke analytische vaardigheden en weet juridische risico’s helder te vertalen naar praktische oplossingen.
• Nieuwe (juridische) materie, zoals bijvoorbeeld intellectueel eigendomsrecht, maak je je snel eigen.
• Je hebt uitstekende communicatieve vaardigheden in Nederlands én Engels (minimaal C1-niveau).

Verder ben je iemand die snel schakelt, eenvoudig hoofdzaken van bijzaken onderscheidt, sterk is in prioriteiten stellen en moeiteloos de belangen van verschillende stakeholders doorgrondt. Met jouw pragmatische instelling, vernieuwende ideeën en overtuigingskracht creëer je draagvlak en zet je plannen om in actie.
 

Wat biedt de UM?
Als privaatrechtjurist bij Maastricht University Office kom je in dienst bij de meest internationale universiteit van Nederland in het prachtige Maastricht. Verder bieden wij je:

• Goede arbeidsvoorwaarden. De functie is ingeschaald in schaal 11 conform UFO-profiel Jurist met bijbehorende salarisinschaling op basis van ervaring tussen € 4.537,00 en € 6.209,00 bruto per maand (op basis van een fulltime dienstverband van 38 uur per week). In aanvulling op het maandsalaris zijn een 8,0% vakantie-uitkering en een 8,3% eindejaarsuitkering van toepassing.
• Een arbeidsovereenkomst voor een periode van 12 maanden met een omvang van 0.8 - 1.0 FTE. Bij gebleken geschiktheid zal de arbeidsovereenkomst omgezet worden in een dienstverband voor onbepaalde tijd.
• Bij de Universiteit Maastricht staat het welzijn van onze medewerkers hoog in het vaandel, zo hanteren we flexibele werktijden en de mogelijkheid om deels vanuit huis te werken indien de aard van je functie dit toelaat. Hiervoor ontvang je maandelijks een thuiswerk- en internetvergoeding. Kom je fulltime bij ons werken, dan heb je jaarlijks recht op 29 vakantiedagen en 4 extra feestdagen, te weten carnavals maandag, -dinsdag, Goede Vrijdag en Bevrijdingsdag. Maak je gebruik van de mogelijkheid om compensatie-uren op te bouwen, dan komen hier nog eens 12 dagen bij. Daarnaast kun jij jouw arbeidsvoorwaarden personaliseren aan de hand van een cao-keuzemodel.  
• Als Universiteit Maastricht hebben we diverse andere mooie secundaire arbeidsvoorwaarden, hierbij kun je denken aan een goede pensioenregeling bij het ABP en kun je als UM-medewerker meedoen aan bedrijfsfitness en gebruik maken van het zeer uitgebreide sportaanbod dat wij ook aan onze studenten aanbieden.  
• Tot slot maar zeker niet onbelangrijk de ruimte en faciliteiten om jezelf te ontwikkelen: persoonlijk en in jouw vakgebied. Dit faciliteren we door het bieden van een ruim opleidingsaanbod en ondersteunen we door diverse breed gedragen initiatieven zoals ‘erkennen en waarderen’.  

De arbeidsvoorwaarden van de Universiteit Maastricht zijn grotendeels vastgelegd in de CAO Nederlandse Universiteiten. Daarnaast gelden lokale bepalingen, specifiek voor de UM. Voor meer informatie klik hier.

Universiteit Maastricht
Waarom werken aan de Universiteit Maastricht? 

Aan de Universiteit Maastricht (UM) draait alles om de toekomst.  Die van onze studenten omdat we ze een stevige, brede basis geven voor de rest van hun leven. En die van ons allemaal door ons onderzoek naar oplossingen voor vraagstukken in de hele wereld. Met onze zes faculteiten zorgen we voor een veelomvattend aanbod aan onderwijs en onderzoek.  

In ons onderwijs werken we met de methode Probleemgestuurd Onderwijs (PGO). Dit betekent dat onze studenten in kleine groepen zélf op zoek gaan naar oplossingen voor problemen en vraagstukken. Ze discussiëren samen, trekken conclusies, formuleren een antwoord en presenteren dat aan de hele groep. Zo doen ze belangrijke vaardigheden op voor hun hele loopbaan. 

De UM heeft op dit moment meer dan 22.300 studenten en ruim 5.000 medewerkers uit alle windstreken. Dat zorgt voor een inspirerende en bruisende internationale gemeenschap.   

Spreekt deze internationale omgeving waarin de wetenschap centraal staat jou aan? En wil jij hier vanuit een wetenschappelijke of juist staffunctie een steentje aan bijdragen? Dan ben jij met jouw unieke bijdrage van harte welkom! Want als jonge Europese Universiteit van Maastricht bieden we perspectief dat we vertalen naar jouw talent. Je bent waardevol voor onze universiteit en de maatschappij en we inspireren je om met trots en plezier samen te groeien. 

Voor meer informatie over de UM klik hier. 

Maastricht University Office (MUO)
Maastricht University Office (MUO) is een netwerkorganisatie om gezamenlijke activiteiten van de UM zowel intern als naar buiten te faciliteren en te bevorderen. MUO bestaat uit 7 afdelingen en meerdere initiatieven en projecten. Zij werkt daarbij voor en nauw samen met het College van Bestuur, de faculteiten en servicecentra.

 
Nieuwsgierig?
Voor meer informatie over UM en onze arbeidsvoorwaarden kun je terecht op de website www.maastrichtuniversity.nl. Voor meer informatie over deze functie kan contact worden opgenomen met mw. mr. dr. Cenay Akin, directeur Bestuurlijk-Juridische Zaken via cenay.akin@maastrichtuniversity.nl.

Klaar voor een nieuwe uitdaging?
Zie jij jezelf als onze nieuwe privaatrechtjurist? Solliciteer dan nu, uiterlijk 10 juni 2025, op deze functie en maak deel uit van een toonaangevende universiteit met een innovatieve en internationale mindset.

Het oplossen van een casus en/of een assessment kan deel uitmaken van de sollicitatieprocedure.

De vacature staat open voor interne- en externe kandidaten. Bij gelijke geschiktheid hebben interne kandidaten voorrang.

Universiteit Maastricht zet zich in voor het bevorderen en behouden van een diverse en inclusieve gemeenschap. Wij geloven dat diversiteit in onze medewerkers- en studentenpopulatie bijdraagt aan de kwaliteit van onderzoek en onderwijs aan de UM. Dit willen we mogelijk maken door middel van inclusief beleid en innovatieve projecten in samenwerking met studenten en medewerkers. We moedigen je aan om voor deze functie te solliciteren.

Job Description
Our group is looking for a postdoctoral researcher to carry out research and development in the PlastiCycle 4.0 project. Conventional volume-based plastic recycling has reached its limitations, the agenda calls for a radical shift toward quality-focused recycling and high-functionality integration within the value chain. PlastiCycle 4.0 aims to explore the new potential of quality-based recycling via leading edge technologies in analytics, physical processing, and digitalization. By emphasizing quality considerations, the PlastiCycle 4.0 project positions Dutch industries for a competitive edge within the circular plastics ecosystem. This forward-looking approach promises not only economic growth and job creation but also heightened resource efficiency. Additionally, it significantly reduces environmental costs through the upcycling of plastics, contributing to both sustainability and resource management. The postdoctoral researcher within the PlastiCycle 4.0 project is expected to carry out material characterization (with focus on plastic additives and contaminant), then develop flow models using such characterization data subsequently, empowering the plastic value chain.

This is a 1 (one) year postdoctoral researcher position with direct possibility for contractual extension.

Requirements
You hold a relevant master’s degree, looking forward to collaborate with the professors and PhD students alike. You are very self-sufficient and feel comfortable carrying out independent research in dissolution-based techniques for plastic recycling. Then, the requirement for this position are as stated below.

Education requirement:

• A PhD degree in Chemistry/Chemometrics, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Chemistry/Engineering, Environmental Science, or a related field which relates.

Research Experience:

• Experience in a large variety of materials characterization technologies (especially for contaminants and low-concentration substances within polymers), chemometrics and sustainable system modelling skills are highly desirable.

Skills:

• Proficiency in laboratory techniques for analysing polymers, additives and contaminants (e.g. FTIR, UV-VIS, DSC, Raman spectroscopy, etc.).
• Strong computational skills for data analysis and modelling (e.g. Python for chemometrics, spectroscopy data analysis, system/flow modelling, etc.).
• Wider use of analytical techniques for other material properties (e.g. MS-based techniques, GPC, SEM, etc.).
• Interested or experience in the understanding practical problems in the plastic value chain.
• Good written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Willingness to manage research within a project independently

Do not apply if you do not meet the requirements.

What we offer
As Postdoc Using spectroscopy & laboratory analytics to drive system models for the plastic value chain at Faculty of Science & Engineering, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you:

• Good employment conditions. The position is graded in scale 10 - 11 according to UFO profile Researcher, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €3378,00 and €6209,00 gross per month (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.
• An employment contract for a period of 12 months with a scope of 1,0 FTE.
• At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model. 
• As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students. 
• Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as 'acknowledge and appreciate'. 

The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, click here.

Maastricht University
Why work at Maastricht University?

At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. The future of our students, as we work to equip them with a solid, broad-based foundation for the rest of their lives. And the future of society, as we seek solutions through our research to issues from all around the world. Our six faculties combined provide a comprehensive package of study programmes and research.

In our teaching, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Students work in small groups, looking for solutions to problems themselves. By discussing issues and working together to draw conclusions, formulate answers and present them to their peers, students develop essential skills for their future careers.

With over 22,300 students and more than 5,000 employees from all over the world, UM is home to a vibrant and inspiring international community.

Are you drawn to an international setting focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute however your skills and qualities allow? Our door is open to you! As a young European university, we value your talent and look forward to creating the future together.

Click here for more information about UM. 

Faculty of Science and Engineering  
At the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE), we focus on themes such as circularity and sustainability, future farming, digitisation and (scientific) instrument development.  FSE's leading projects, like the Einstein Telescope Pathfinder, are sure to grab anyone's attention.  The faculty is a vibrant hub of education and research in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS).  At FSE, over 450 staff members and 3700 students gather to explore e exciting interdisciplinary research and educational programmes. Feel welcome, be part of our team and put your brilliant mind to work!  
 

FSE at the Brightlands Campuses  
Maastricht, Sittard-Geleen, Heerlen, and Venlo, the home of four creative Brightlands campuses, are bustling with 30,000 entrepreneurs, researchers, and students working diligently to solve global challenges. The Faculty of Science and Engineering is active on all four Brightlands campuses, and this is where our impact reaches its peak. To give you an idea of what is happening at each campus: Sittard-Geleen is home to the largest chemical site in the Euregion, while Venlo is a large hub for agri-food innovation. Maastricht is the site of the Health Campus, and Heerlen is the place to be for Smart Services.  
 

The Chair of Circular Plastics 
Part of the Department of Circular Chemical Engineering, the Circular Plastics team is headed by internationally acclaimed plastic recycling expert prof. Kim Ragaert. We are an open, supportive and multidisciplinary team comprising several nationalities and scientific specialisms. Currently, we are an academic staff of 1 full professor, 2 associate professors and 4 assistant professors, working with a dozen PhD students. We focus on polymer and data science for (mechanical) recycling of plastics as well as the more systemic view.  
Our labs and offices or on Brightlands Chemelot Campus, in the middle of the largest chemical site of the Netherlands. As such, we are very well connected to industry. More information on https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/research/circular-chemical-engineering/research/circular-plastics 

Curious?

Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Dr. Sin Yong Teng at sinyong.teng@maastrichtuniversity.nl for more information.

Applying?

Are you already convinced and ready to become our new Postdoc: Using spectroscopy and laboratory analytics to drive system models for the plastic value chain? Apply now as soon as possible. This position will be open until a suitable candidate has been selected.

Applications are accepted via the online system only. Your application must include:

• A curriculum vitae, including at least two individuals who may be contacted for a reference
• Your two most relevant publications to this position (if any)
• A motivation letter (max 1 page), explaining clearly which of the above profiles you see yourself fitting to and why.

Candidates will be informed of the interviews if selected.

An orientation day can be part of the application procedure.

The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.

Are you an ethnographer curious about hospitals? Do you have experience working with materials as a designer or maker, professionally or as an amateur? Looking for great work-life balance in a friendly and vibrant community of interdisciplinary scholars doing creative cutting-edge research? 

Job Description

The Department of Society Studies is looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher to undertake exciting research about hospital practices. You will be part of a team doing research helping to address the escalating issue of clinical waste. The project is called The Upcycled Clinic: A global ethnography of material creativity in contemporary medicine. The focus of this European Research Council funded project is on hospitals and clinics, which have become sites of disposability in recent years. Attempts to address this can be top-down and technocratic, often still reliant on a mode of further production. The Upcycled Clinic takes a different route into the problem. It focuses on creative practices already happening in the clinic, involving making the most of existing materials. You will be part of a team conducting research around the world where such improvisations are highlighted due to different constraints.

The project focuses on the unexplored yet potentially insightful practices of material creativity where existing materials are being repurposed for another use. This post-doc will focus on creative spaces in or connected to hospitals, either formally or informally, such as makerspaces and design labs. Makerspaces have been studied critically and ethnographically by scholars (e.g. Richterich 2022) and the post-doc will build on such work to look specifically at hospital makerspaces and design labs, a yet to be explored site in social studies of medicine. 

The goal of this postdoc will be to examine what is happening in these experimental spaces, and the role of making and design spaces in/with hospitals more generally. One city has already been identified as a fruitful site for exploration: London where the Helix Centre at St Mary’s Hospital is situated, as well as important archives on material experimentation at the Wellcome and city makerspaces active during the pandemic. In your role you will design an ethnographic research project around this site and another of your choosing, depending on your own interests and contacts.

Relatedly, you will also work with the project team to develop making workshops to be co-designed in and for hospitals and other clinical environments. These workshops may relate to themes of upcycling, repurposing or other aspects of the project. In the social sciences, text and talk still takes priority over making (Jungnickel 2018). This project thus aims to expand social science methods, drawing inspiration from colleagues thinking otherwise with making, such as speculative sewing (Jungnickel 2023), design ethnography (Gunn, Otto and Smith 2013) and ethnographic experiments (Estalella and Sánchez Criado 2018). Thus one of the goals of the post-doc will be to help extend “making” as a guiding principle for a critical technoscientific engagement with medicine, one that considers radical reconfigurations that might result if the role of collaborators and the materials produced are thought about differently.

You will work in a team environment led by the Principle Investigator (PI) (Professor Anna Harris), along with three other post-docs, a project manager and research assistants. You will also receive guidance with your work by an external advisor and local advisors. Sharing research material and comparison with the other cases within this team environment will be part of the project, and there will be opportunities for visiting another research group for inspiration. 

As a postdoc on the project you will specifically be involved in:

• Designing your own research project within the scope of the larger study
• Conducting comparative ethnographic fieldwork in design labs and makerspaces in/connected to hospitals, in the UK and another site according to your own interests, contacts or networks, or working with the ideas we currently have for a second site (approx. 3 - 4 months each site)
• Publishing within 3.5 years with respect to the project, including academic articles, guidelines and training material (single and co-authored)
• Taking a leadership role in designing and documenting the making workshops, liaising with the Marketing and Communication team and other local colleagues as relevant
• Participating in and helping to organise group meetings, events and workshops
• Optional: teaching 0.1 - 0.2 fte such as tutoring in Bachelor courses and/or Bachelor or Masters theses supervision

Thus in this role you will have the opportunity to develop further in ethnographic skills, writing and teamwork and have access to further trainings as necessary and according to interest. In sum, you will be able to do a post-doc project with considerable scope for creativity, in an exciting team project with inspiring colleagues. You will be conducting research with the potential for significant societal impact in relation to sustainability in healthcare, while working on furthering and strengthening the role of creative methods in ethnographic research. 
 

What we are looking for
All team members hired in The Upcycled Clinic project will be chosen because they have evidence of the ability to carry out or be sensitive to qualitative research skills, especially ethnography, so that we can quickly build together the more innovative methodological elements of the team project. 

For this particular position we are looking for someone who is excited about doing research in a team and willing to engage in opening up ethnographic methods with design and/or making approaches. Specifically we are looking for someone who has:

• A completed PhD (or assessment concluded no later than end of November 2025) in relevant fields such as: anthropology; design ethnography; interactional design; industrial design; sustainable innovation; experience design; industrial design; design research; Human-Centred Design, Critical and Participatory Design, Public Engagement or in other related ethnographic and design fields. If your thesis is not completed yet, please include a letter from your supervisor confirming that it is on track to be completed no later than the end of November.
• Experience (professional or amateur) or engagement in design or making 
• Either ethnographic fieldwork experience or demonstration of an ethnographic sensibility 
• Experience organising and facilitating workshops (or related public engagement events) 
• English language competency, C1 level, academic English 
• Is willing to move to Maastricht or the nearby area 
• Is willing to help develop the creative methods used in the whole project, meet deadlines and work actively in the group towards shared goals 

Candidates should be available to start the position no later than 1st January 2026 and free to travel to do fieldwork in the Spring of 2026.
 

What we offer
As Post-Doc in Making and Design in Hospitals at Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you:

• Good employment conditions. The position is graded in scale 11 according to UFO profile Researcher, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €4537,00 and €6209,00 gross per month (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). The exact amount will depend on factors such as previous experience and time from PhD. In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.
• An employment contract for a period of 12 months with a scope of 0.8 FTE (with an option to make this 1.0 fte with teaching tasks). Upon a positive evaluation, an extension of a  further 2.0 – 2.5 years will follow.
• At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. As an inclusive employer UM offers the chance to substitute Good Friday for any other relevant religious, national, regional, or local holiday or memorial day. If you choose to ac-cumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model.
• As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students. 
• Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as 'acknowledge and appreciate'. 
   

The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, click here.

Maastricht University
Why work at Maastricht University?
At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. The future of our students, as we work to equip them with a solid, broad-based foundation for the rest of their lives. And the future of society, as we seek solutions through our research to issues from all around the world. Our six faculties combined provide a comprehensive package of study programmes and research.

In our teaching, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Students work in small groups, looking for solutions to problems themselves. By discussing issues and working together to draw conclusions, formulate answers and present them to their peers, students develop essential skills for their future careers.

With over 22,300 students and more than 5,000 employees from all over the world, UM is home to a vibrant and inspiring international community.

Are you drawn to an international setting focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute however your skills and qualities allow? Our door is open to you! As a young European university, we value your talent and look forward to creating the future together.

Click here for more information about UM. 

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences FASoS is a close-knit community of approximately 250 staff members and 2100 students. During breaks and before meetings, you can often find us at our favourite local coffee spot Bandito Espresso.  
 

Communication lines within our faculty are short and colleagues are always ready to assist each other. FASoS consists of a highly international student population and a significant part of our staff comes from abroad. Our faculty offers four bachelor programs, eight masters programs and two research master programs that are all characterized by their interdisciplinary approach.
 

Our research institute studies societies and cultures as they have developed in the modern and contemporary periods. We adopt a radically interdisciplinary approach, analysing the interconnections between Europeanization, globalization, scientific and technological advancement, political change, and cultural innovation. 
 

In addition to teaching and research, our colleagues enjoy expressing themselves creatively. They create podcasts, write poetry as well as fiction. 
 

Working at FASoS means working in a challenging yet informal environment. We believe in crafting your own career path and are always ready to help you in making the most of your job. For more information about FASoS, you can visit our website FASoS
 

Department
The PhD will be embedded in the Department of Society Studies at FASoS. This department brings together scholars with a social science and humanities profile. It plays a key role in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences as a provider of knowledge and expertise in the interdisciplinary fields of Science, Technology and Society studies (STS) and Globalisation, Transnationalism and Development research. Department members across these fields share an interest in sociological, anthropological and/or mixed-methods approaches, with a strong tendency towards ethnographic methodologies. You will also be a member of the Arts, Media and Culture (AMC) research group. Researchers in the AMC research program are interested in the dynamics of cultural change, both historically and contemporaneously. Researchers in this creative community work on material, digital, and bodily practices in which cultural artefacts are produced, distributed, and received.

Applying from abroad?
Maastricht is itself a warm and welcoming city. The city is known for its excellent food and shops, and cultural scene. The founding city of the EU is an international hub with inhabitants from around the world. English is widely spoken, as are other languages, creating a unique and vibrant international community. Thanks to Maastricht’s central position in Europe, it is only a short distance away from Belgium, Germany, France and the rest of the Netherlands with dense public transport networks. The city is family-friendly and possesses excellent schools. Candidates who need to relocate may be eligible for compensation and international candidates may be eligible for the 30% rule which reduces tax paid. Read more at: https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/faq-life-netherlands

Curious?

We encourage you to apply for this position! Are you interested but still have questions? Feel free to contact Anna Harris (content) at makedomedicine-fasos@maastrichtuniversity.nl or Manon Souren at recruitment@maastrichtuniversity.nl (application process) for more information. 

Applying?

Or are you already convinced to apply to become our new colleague? Apply now, no later than 2nd June 2025 for this position. 

Please upload:

1. A max. 2-page CV (no photo please) including publication details and the contact information of 2 referees 
2. A max. 2-page document clearly addressing each of the 4 questions below:
   • How does this particular post-doc position connect to your previous work, your interests and/or future career aspirations?
   • Please give one concrete example of something you have made/designed with materials and describe how that relates to the goals and themes of The Upcycled Clinic project.
   • What would you consider to be an interesting second site for your ethnographic project? 
   • What do you consider are the biggest challenges and opportunities of conducting and documenting making workshops in and with hospitals?
3. One published writing sample of the applicant’s choice (the length of an article or chapter)

The first round of interview will take place on the third week of June (16th -20th June) and a potential second interview on the fourth week of June (23th-27th June).

A further assignment and a reference check may be part of the application procedure.

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We have staff and student networks like Female Empowerment UM FEM, LGBTQ+ student and staff network UM Pride, Parents and Carers PAC network, and UnliMited Network for students and staff with a disability and/or chronic conditions, or who are neurodiverse. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. Please let us know if you have any accessibility needs and how/if we can facilitate the application process for you.