Do you work in a laboratory but do you feel that you could also use your analysis skills in a place where you can really make a difference? We are looking for an enthusiastic research assistant who would like to make an important contribution to the insights into enteroviruses, poliovirus, in samples of human and animal origin, but also in sewage water, for example! Read on to find out why we need you.
Research assistant polio / enterovirus
National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM)
- 32-36 hours a week
- Location: Bilthoven
- Respond before March 6
- Apply here
This is where you end up
At RIVM, more than 2300 colleagues work together every day on the possible concerns of tomorrow. You will end up in our Virology department of the Vaccination Program. We work here with about 21 colleagues on diagnostics, laboratory surveillance and specific research into the important infections against which vaccination is carried out in the National Immunization Programme. This often happens in collaboration with epidemiologists, immunologists and clinicians in the Netherlands and abroad.
The department is working on a molecular and immunological level on measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, human papillomavirus and poliovirus. Researchers from the department are involved in discussions about current and future vaccination policy, and in supporting research, including during outbreaks.
This is your challenge
We are looking for an enthusiastic colleague for the position of research assistant. As a research assistant, you work for reference and specialized diagnostics for, among other things, enteroviruses, poliovirus, in samples of human and animal origin, but also in sewage water. You also perform serological and immunological determinations for the polio virus.
Your activities include:
- You are jointly responsible for planning and carrying out cell and virus culture, sewage water surveillance and virus neutralization tests;
- You do this with sample reception and sample processing;
- You process and assess the data and report on the results obtained;
- Your work will take place within our accredited laboratory (ISO15189 accreditation). Work for our quality system also falls within your task package;
- Part of your work will take place within the WHO Specialized Reference Laboratory for Polio.
Unique to this job
At our labs you come into contact with many different techniques. The work of RIVM is dynamic and constantly changing. There are always developments in the field of medical research and that requires some flexibility from you, but also makes the work varied and always up-to-date. RIVM has to deal with innovative and challenging research questions that you will not encounter anywhere else, which also applies to this position. In addition, due to its independent, scientific position, RIVM is an important player in social discussions. Many of our end products are part of political and policy decision-making. It is an interesting time to work at RIVM.
You work in a team with a mix of experience. The team is working hard to perform diagnostics properly and quickly, as well as to deploy new techniques to make detection methods faster, more robust or, for example, more precise. We work a lot as a team and our department is a cozy club, with a lot of interaction. We also regularly have international guests, which brings with it the necessary dynamics. However, you also have the opportunity to do a lot of work independently, you have your own set of tasks. Our lab is a structured environment, with clear frameworks, roles and tasks.
The care of tomorrow starts today
Are you interested in this position, but have some questions first? Feel free to call RIVM department head Audrey King on 06-55 73 73 38.
Job requirements
This is what you bring:
We are looking for a colleague who can work well independently, but also in a team. Like us, you are pragmatic and like to act proactively and efficiently. You have good communication skills and it is important that you work accurately and that you can plan and organize well. In addition, you have:
- A completed MLO training in medical microbiology;
- You have demonstrable experience in the field of general virological diagnostic techniques, such as cell and virus culture and serological techniques;
- You have experience and affinity with working under a quality system (ISO 15189);
- You have good knowledge of the Dutch and English language, in word and writing.
Terms of employment
Salary level: scale 7
Monthly salary: Min €2,615 – Max. €3.376 (gross)
Employment: Fixed-term contract
Contract duration: 12 months
Minimum number of hours per week: 32
Maximum number of hours per week: 36
Other employment conditions
In addition to the salary, you will receive an Individual Choice Budget (IKB). The SCV consists of money (16.37% of your gross annual salary) and time. With the IKB you make the choices that suit you and you can put together part of your employment conditions yourself. For example, you can choose to have part of your monthly income paid out whenever you wish. You can also convert this budget into leave and vice versa or spend it on tax-friendly goals. The national government attaches great importance to personal growth and career development and offers numerous opportunities for this. The fringe benefits include various study facilities, company fitness, full reimbursement of your public transport travel costs, commuting and partially paid parental leave.
Particularities
This position is related to a number of research projects, which will run for at least 12 months. Chances are that this will continue. RIVM therefore likes to get in touch with candidates who want to commit themselves to RIVM for a longer period of time. At the moment, however, RIVM cannot guarantee this. You will of course be informed in good time about the (im)possibility to extend the employment contract.
We are curious about your motivation for this position, and would therefore like to see an explanation of this in your application letter. In addition, we ask you to describe your activities in detail in your CV, so that we can make a correct assessment of your experience.
The recruitment and selection process is as follows:
- When we see a match, we invite you for a first interview.
- Is that positive on both sides? Then we will contact you for a second interview.
- Do we both like it? Then we conclude with an employment conditions interview.
- Because working at RIVM entails a social responsibility, we will ask you for a Certificate of Good Behavior (VOG).
Are you already employed by the government? We encourage new career steps within the national government. If you are applying as a “job-to-work candidate” or a “reassignment candidate”, please include a copy of your designation letter. If you now work for the national government through a temporary employment agency, please state this in your letter.
RIVM is committed to employing employees who fall under the target group of the Job Agreement Act. Do you fall into this target group and are you listed in the target group register? Then we also invite you to respond! Knowing more? Then click here! Together with you, we will see if and how you can possibly fill this position. At RIVM you are welcome as you are. We are convinced that diversity in a team makes collaboration and outcome stronger.
Good to know: This vacancy will go offline after the closing date. Would you like to read it again later, for example before your job interview? Don’t forget to download and save the text.
Apply?
National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) invites you to apply on their site via the link below. The government values a diverse and inclusive organisation. Working in diverse teams makes us more effective, more innovative and the work more fun. Everyone is therefore invited to apply.
Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.
Keywords: Vacancy, Research assistant, Medical Microbiology, Research assistant, Laboratory research, Laboratory technology, Analyst, Laboratory assistant, MLO, part-time, full-time, Bilthoven, Utrecht
