Laboratory Technician Position

Do you have an HLO diploma or equivalent experience with an interest in microbiology, parasitology, and genome editing? Please apply at A-LIFE, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam!

Your function

Trypanosoma brucei causes the deadly African sleeping sickness. In humans, the parasite depends on sugar to grow, making sugar transport an important drug target.

We aim to develop an efficient screening platform to identify sugar transport inhibitors of T. brucei. Our approach involves expressing T. brucei sugar transporters in yeast strains lacking their own transporters. By adding inhibitors and monitoring yeast growth, we hope to identify effective lead compounds for drug development.

Your duties

  • Perform genome editing of baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) using CRISPR/Cas.
  • Conduct yeast growth assays to screen for new drugs.
  • Maintain a detailed digital lab journal to record experiments and results.

Your profile

  • A recent HLO graduate (or expected to graduate shortly after project commencement), or equivalent laboratory experience.
  • Strong experimental skills; experience with CRISPR/Cas is a plus.
  • Proficiency in English, both written and spoken.

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

What do we offer?

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

  • a salary of minimum € 3.218,00 (Scale 8.0) and maximum € 3.537,00 (Scale 8.2) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Education/Research Officer 3. The exact salary depends on your education and experience
  • a position for 0.6-0.8 FTE
  • your employment contract will initially last 9 months - 1 year (dependent on the FTE)
  • planned starting date: October 2025.   

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

  • a full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata
  • 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
  • discounts on collective insurances (healthcare- and car insurance)
  • contribution to commuting expenses
  • a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge.

About us

A-LIFE
This project will be carried out within the Systems Biology Lab that is part of the A-LIFE department and AIMMS at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. The Systems Biology Lab studies molecular networks inside cells that give rise to cell behaviour and fitness, in isolation and in interaction with other cells and their environment.

Faculty of Science
Researchers and students at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam's Faculty of Science tackle fundamental and complex scientific problems to help pave the way for a sustainable and healthy future. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, and from molecules to the moon: we cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. Our teaching and research have a strong experimentally technical, computational and interdisciplinary nature.

We work on new solutions guided by value-driven, interdisciplinary methodologies. We are committed to research, valorisation and training socially engaged citizens of the world who will make valuable contributions to a sustainable, healthy future.

Are you interested in joining the Faculty of Science? You will join undergraduate students, PhD candidates and researchers at the biggest sciences faculty in the Netherlands. You will combine a professional focus with a broad view of the world. We are proud of our collegial working climate, characterised by committed staff, a pragmatic attitude and engagement in the larger whole. The faculty is home to over 11,000 students enrolled in 40 study programmes. It employs over 1,600 professionals spread across 10 academic departments.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.

Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam community.

Interested

Are you interested in this position and do you believe that your experience will contribute to the excellence of our services? In that case, please respond before 23 June 2025 via the application button by uploading the following documents:

  • a short motivation letter describing your relevant experience
  • a detailed CV including two or three references
  • a diploma

Vacancy questions
For questions about the vacancy, you may contact:

Dr. Dennis Botman
Technician, Systems Biology Lab
[email protected]

Dr. Jurgen Haanstra
Assistant Professor, Systems Biology Lab
[email protected]

Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.

Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.

Your function

Trypanosoma brucei causes the deadly African sleeping sickness. In humans, the parasite depends on sugar to grow, making sugar transport an important drug target.

We aim to develop an efficient screening platform to identify sugar transport inhibitors of T. brucei. Our approach involves expressing T. brucei sugar transporters in yeast strains lacking their own transporters. By adding inhibitors and monitoring yeast growth, we hope to identify effective lead compounds for drug development.

Your duties

  • Perform genome editing of baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) using CRISPR/Cas.
  • Conduct yeast growth assays to screen for new drugs.
  • Maintain a detailed digital lab journal to record experiments and results.

Your profile

  • A recent HLO graduate (or expected to graduate shortly after project commencement), or equivalent laboratory experience.
  • Strong experimental skills; experience with CRISPR/Cas is a plus.
  • Proficiency in English, both written and spoken.

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

What do we offer?

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

  • a salary of minimum € 3.218,00 (Scale 8.0) and maximum € 3.537,00 (Scale 8.2) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Education/Research Officer 3. The exact salary depends on your education and experience
  • a position for 0.6-0.8 FTE
  • your employment contract will initially last 9 months - 1 year (dependent on the FTE)
  • planned starting date: October 2025.   

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

  • a full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata
  • 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
  • discounts on collective insurances (healthcare- and car insurance)
  • contribution to commuting expenses
  • a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge.

About us

A-LIFE
This project will be carried out within the Systems Biology Lab that is part of the A-LIFE department and AIMMS at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. The Systems Biology Lab studies molecular networks inside cells that give rise to cell behaviour and fitness, in isolation and in interaction with other cells and their environment.

Faculty of Science
Researchers and students at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam's Faculty of Science tackle fundamental and complex scientific problems to help pave the way for a sustainable and healthy future. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, and from molecules to the moon: we cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. Our teaching and research have a strong experimentally technical, computational and interdisciplinary nature.

We work on new solutions guided by value-driven, interdisciplinary methodologies. We are committed to research, valorisation and training socially engaged citizens of the world who will make valuable contributions to a sustainable, healthy future.

Are you interested in joining the Faculty of Science? You will join undergraduate students, PhD candidates and researchers at the biggest sciences faculty in the Netherlands. You will combine a professional focus with a broad view of the world. We are proud of our collegial working climate, characterised by committed staff, a pragmatic attitude and engagement in the larger whole. The faculty is home to over 11,000 students enrolled in 40 study programmes. It employs over 1,600 professionals spread across 10 academic departments.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.

Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam community.

Questions about the vacancy?

Please contact

Dr. Dennis Botman

Onderwijs- en Onderzoeksmedewerker

Interested

Are you interested in this position and do you believe that your experience will contribute to the excellence of our services? In that case, please respond before 23 June 2025 via the application button by uploading the following documents:

  • a short motivation letter describing your relevant experience
  • a detailed CV including two or three references
  • a diploma

Vacancy questions
For questions about the vacancy, you may contact:

Dr. Dennis Botman
Technician, Systems Biology Lab
[email protected]

Dr. Jurgen Haanstra
Assistant Professor, Systems Biology Lab
[email protected]

Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.

Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.

Questions about the vacancy?

Please contact

Dr. Dennis Botman

Onderwijs- en Onderzoeksmedewerker

Application procedure

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