PhD positions: Portable mass spectrometry for food toxin detection

Do you have a strong affinity for innovative mass spectrometry and delivering a positive impact on global food safety? Do you take joy in creative processes and are you driven by curiosity? Are you a go-getter? Do you excel at working in teams? Then we are looking for you!

We have a PhD position available at the laboratory of Organic Chemistry (Wageningen University) in close collaboration with Wageningen Food Safety Research. The PhD position is available in the NWO-funded VIDI project GPS4FoodSafety, which is focused on studying novel routes towards achieving molecular selectivity in ambient ionization for portable mass spectrometry – to detect natural toxins in crops and water at the point-of-need.

In this challenging project, you will work as a PhD student to develop novel approaches to impart chemical selectivity on easy-to-use sample probes that can be coupled to a portable mass spectrometer – and ultimately used outside the laboratory setting in food safety applications. The PhD project contributes to and collaborate on achieving this aim, yet have distinct focus. Please indicate whether you are interested in either or both PhD positions and in case of the latter specify preference:

You will focus on the chemical modification of cellulose paper to create highly selective solid-phase extraction devices to enrich targeted contaminants (plant toxins and cyanobacterial toxins). Moreover, 3D-printing and rapid prototyping will be applied to develop modular sample extraction and handling devices, as well as for integrating the selective probes with the portable mass spectrometer.

Relevant literature related to these positions can be found here:

• Interconnectable 3D-printed sample processing modules for portable mycotoxin screening of intact wheat - ScienceDirect
• Rapid analysis of Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, and cannabidiol in Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol edibles by Ag(I) paper spray mass spectrometry after simple extraction - ScienceDirect
• Bifunctional Ti4+-modified paper for selective extraction or removal of phospholipids and paper spray mass spectrometry for bioanalysis in urine and plasma - ScienceDirect

Your duties and responsibilities include:

• You will collaborate to achieve the analytical workflows for molecular identification of toxins using portable mass spectrometry, which will be demonstrated in pilot studies together with the project stakeholders.
• You will be expected to develop research questions, experimental approaches and execute the experiments in the lab, and during the pilot studies. You will report on your findings to the scientific community via peer-reviewed publication, and conference contributions.
• You will take part in the education of students through supervision of BSc and MSc students in laboratory courses and thesis projects.
• You will be registered with the graduate school and receive training in both field-specific, general scientific and soft skills to facilitate your professionalisation and development as independent scientist.

You will work here
The project is a part of an NWO Vidi grant, GPS4FoodSafety, awarded to Dr. Gert Salentijn, which will be executed in the Laboratory of Organic Chemistry (Organic Chemistry - WUR), which is headed by Prof. Han Zuilhof. You will be supervised by Dr. Gert Salentijn with support by the other team members Dr. Laura Righetti and Prof. Han Zuilhof. The PhD project is a collaboration with Wageningen Food Safety Research.

Researcher position in Catalysis Engineering Group- SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGIES

Join the Catalysis Engineering Group of the University of Amsterdam!
The Catalysis Engineering group is looking for a motivated researcher to be employed in a project for the recycling or treating different waste (solid, dissolved or gaseous). The project involves industrial partners and hence, collaborative work is important to reach the objective of this project. The candidate joining the project is expected to have experience in chemical engineering/applied chemistry with specialization in catalysis. Experience in operating high-temperature, high-pressure batch reactors and/or flow reactors is needed. You will join a collaborative team of chemists, engineers, and materials scientists working together to design and develop sustainable chemical processes. We offer a stimulating environment where curiosity, passion, and scientific rigor drive our research forward, and we ask for a strong passion for scientific research and for contributing to society through innovative technologies from you.

The position offers an inspiring research environment with access to advanced catalytic synthesis and reactor testing facilities, as well as opportunities for collaboration with industrial partners.

We are looking for a candidate with strong scientific curiosity, enthusiasm for research, and a passion for contributing to society through innovative and sustainable technologies.

This is what you are going to do

• Conduct experiments in flow/batch reactors for the recycling or treating different waste (solid, dissolved or gaseous).
• Carry out appropriate modifications of the reactors, as and when necessary, in collaboration with the in-house technical support team and partners.
• Synthesize novel, heat-stable materials/catalysts designed to convert low-value waste streams to useful products.
• Characterize materials using different techniques and link properties to performance.
• Optimize reaction conditions and explore scale-up potential.
• Document experiments systematically, publish results in relevant and reputed journals, and present findings at conferences.
• Collaborate with the Catalysis Engineering Group members and interdisciplinary teams/consortium partners to advance project goals.
• Help with educational and organisational activities, as needed by the group/institute.
• Participate in consortium meetings, workshops and meetings related to the project.
• Be up to date with the recent developments in the field by consulting with literature.
• Take own initiatives to plan the experiments creatively and safely as well as to meet the deadlines.
• Be available in the workplace at the core hours and plan the research systematically and well in advance in line with the project objectives.

This is what we ask of you

• Master’s degree in chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related fields.
• Experience in operating lab-scale batch/flow reactors.
• Research experience in heterogeneous catalysis or nanomaterials synthesis.
• Experience with material characterization techniques (e.g., XRD).
• Strong passion for scientific research and for contributing to society through innovative technologies.
• Good scientific writing and communication skills.
• Willingness to take initiative, manage time effectively, and meet deadlines.
• Experience in data analysis and documentation tools, and you use them to organize, analyze, and present experimental results effectively.
• Ability to work in interdisciplinary research teams, and willingness to learn from others.
• Creative and critical problem-solving approach to research and technical challenges.
• Proactive approach to learning, seek input from colleagues, and clearly communicate the experimental procedures and safety considerations.

This is what we offer you
We offer a temporary employment contract for 38 hours per week for a period of 12 months. An extension maybe possible based on available funding combined with adequate performance.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 3,057 - € 3,985 (scale 7). This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. The UFO profile Education/Research Officer 4 is applicable. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:

• 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
• multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
• multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;
• multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
• 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
• partly paid parental leave;
• the possibility to set up a workplace at home;
• a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
• the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;

Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here.

This is where you will work
The Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS) is one of eight institutes of the University of Amsterdam (UvA) Faculty of Science. HIMS performs internationally recognized chemistry and molecular research, curiosity driven as well as application driven. This is done in close cooperation with the chemical, flavor & food, medical and high-tech industries. Research is organized into four themes: Analytical Chemistry, Computational Chemistry, Synthesis & Catalysis and Molecular Photonics.

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

The candidate will work in the Catalysis Engineering group led by Dr. Shiju Raveendran in HIMS. The Catalysis Engineering Group aims to develop sustainable chemical processes/products. We combine knowledge from the fields of Chemical Science and Materials Science with expertise in the field of Reactor Engineering to achieve this target. We currently work on several societally relevant and industrially important topics such as chemical recycling of waste, CO2 conversion, sustainable fuels, renewable H2 etc.

Postdoc in Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis

Cochlear implants offer people with severe hearing loss the opportunity to hear better and participate more actively in daily life. There is growing evidence that cochlear implantation can have a positive effect on tinnitus (ringing in the ears), a condition that can significantly impact people’s quality of life, concentration, and well-being. In this research project, we aim to better understand for whom and under what circumstances cochlear implantation is effective for tinnitus. To this end, we are conducting an individual participant data meta-analysis (IPD-MA). Instead of analyzing summarized results from previous studies, we are working with the original data from individual participants in international studies. In doing so, we are investigating not only the effectiveness of cochlear implantation for tinnitus but also which factors may predict success.

In addition to the clinical research question, this project offers opportunities for methodological research. We are investigating how IPD meta-analyses can be optimally applied within the field of otolaryngology. In doing so, you will not only contribute to new insights for patients with tinnitus and hearing loss, but also to the further development of innovative research methods within otolaryngology.

This project combines clinical relevance, international collaboration, data analysis, and methodological innovation, thereby offering a challenging and socially meaningful research environment.

Do you hold a Ph.D. and want to work on improving the quality of research? Are you interested in both clinical and methodological research? Then this is your opportunity to build your own network and portfolio in this field, as a key player in our project. In this project, you will be responsible for supervising the student assistant, conducting quantitative analyses, and handling logistics. We also encourage you to contribute new ideas to broaden and deepen existing projects with your input and expertise.

PhD Transient Fischer–Tropsch Catalysis

Fischer–Tropsch synthesis is a key technology for converting synthesis gas into sustainable fuels and chemicals. However, in practical operation, feedstock composition can fluctuate, and impurities may be present, leading to transient catalyst behavior and deactivation. A fundamental understanding of these effects is currently lacking.

In this project, you will:

• Investigate the impact of feedstock composition - Conduct kinetic studies under varying CO/CO₂/H₂ ratios, in the presence of contaminants, and under transient operating conditions to quantify catalytic activity, product selectivity (e‑naphtha to e‑wax), and stability.
• Track catalyst state under realistic conditions - apply bulk operando and quasi-in situ techniques to monitor active phase evolution and structural changes during reaction.
• Link surface chemistry to catalytic performance - use advanced surface-sensitive methods, including near-ambient pressure XPS, DRIFTS, and SSITKA-DRIFTS-MS, to identify surface intermediates and correlate surface coverage with reaction kinetics.
• Develop advanced characterization workflows - establish robust methodologies for sampling, handling, and analyzing catalysts from long-term reactor operation without air exposure.

You will work closely with academic partners and industrial stakeholders to align experimental studies with realistic process conditions, feedstock variability, and application-driven objectives.

PhD Catalytic Upgrading of Lignin-Derived Phenolics to Aromatics

Lignin valorization is a key challenge in the transition towards a circular and sustainable chemical industry. Depolymerized lignin streams contain complex mixtures of phenolic compounds that can serve as valuable feedstocks for specialty chemicals, yet efficient catalytic upgrading routes are still underdeveloped.
In this project, you will develop catalytic processes to convert lignin-derived phenolics into valuable aromatics and chemical building blocks. The research focuses on the selective demethoxylation and trans-alkylation of alkylmethoxyphenols using bifunctional catalysts.
You will perform catalytic experiments in continuous-flow reactors to evaluate activity, selectivity, and stability under realistic process conditions, and analyze both liquid- and gas-phase products to understand reaction pathways and overall process efficiency. Using a combination of model compounds and real lignin-derived feeds, you will investigate the influence of feed composition and operating conditions and apply systematic optimization strategies to maximize yields of desired products.
A key aspect of the project is understanding and improving catalyst stability, including identifying deactivation mechanisms and developing strategies for regeneration or improved catalyst design. The work will be carried out in close collaboration with academic and industrial partners within the consortium, ensuring strong alignment with upstream lignin processing and downstream application of the produced chemicals.