• Design and build flow setups using 3D printer, pumps, valves operated by a computer and the corresponding software.
• Develop flow cells to connect various spectroscopic tools to the setup.
• Create and validate reproducible automated workflows for quantitative photophysical measurements to obtain optical spectra and quantum-yields.
• Implement AI methods to search in the parameter space that affects the measured data and translate the observations into mechanistic insight.
• Develop a controlled flow system for in situ ATR-UV–Vis spectroscopy including polarization and use it to monitor the formation, orientation, and evolution of porous or photoactive thin films.
• Turn the developed methods into robust, documented and transferable experimental workflows, analyse the resulting multidimensional datasets, publish the results and collaborate closely with the supervisory team and colleagues.

You enjoy experimental research and want to work at the interface of physical chemistry, spectroscopy, photochemistry and instrumentation. This is a heavily hands-on oriented position: you will not only measure samples, but also build, automate, troubleshoot and improve the setup and ensuing workflows.

• You have a Master's degree in chemical engineering, physical chemistry, materials science, or a closely related field.
• You have hands-on experience with building experimental setups, ideally involving experimental spectroscopy, and can prepare and handle molecular solutions and photosensitive samples accurately and reproducibly.
• You are comfortable working with optics, fluidics, detectors, light sources or related laboratory hardware.
• You are interested in instrument automation and quantitative data analysis. Experience with Python, LabVIEW, or Matlab for instrument control/data processing is required, but you do not need to be an expert at the start.
• You can document experiments carefully, work safely with chemical samples and solvents, and communicate results clearly with collaborators from different scientific backgrounds.
• Strong initiative and passion for science.
• Open to collaborate with students (BSc/MSc), PhDs and postdocs involved in related project and research groups within and outside the Netherlands.

You will work on a project in which building new experimental capability is itself a central scientific contribution. You will have room to develop expertise in quantitative photophysics, optical spectroscopy, laboratory automation, flow systems and functional thin-film materials, while working with supervisors who bring complementary expertise.

You will become part of supportive and collaborative research groups (Šolomek group, Baumgartner group, and Noël group) where curiosity and creativity are highly valued. We celebrate scientific progress—whether it’s a successful synthesis, a clever analysis, or a shared insight over coffee. You will have regular individual meetings with your supervisors with an open-door policy to ensure you have guidance when needed and space to grow independently.

You’ll have access to excellent facilities for state-of-the-art self-driving platforms and spectroscopy, and also organic and materials synthesis. We value personal development: you will receive training in flow chemistry and automation, advanced spectroscopy, data analysis (e.g., Python or MATLAB), and scientific communication. You’ll have the opportunity to attend conferences, contribute to publications, and co-supervise Bachelor’s and Master’s students—building both your research and mentoring skills.

The preferred starting date is from January 1, 2027. You will get a temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years). This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduate and master students.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and ranges between €3,204 (1st year) to €4,051 (last year), scale P. This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. The UFO profile Promovendus 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.