Join us in developing the analytical technology needed to make nanoplastics measurable
The STREAMLINED project is looking for three PhD candidates who will work together on one integrated challenge: developing robust methods to detect, characterize and understand nanoplastics in aquatic environments. The project combines sampling and sample preparation, advanced separation and molecular characterization, and chemometric data analysis and optimization. You will become part of an interdisciplinary team at the University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, working closely with partners from industry, water analysis, environmental science and analytical instrumentation. Together, we aim to provide the missing analytical link needed for better environmental monitoring, safer and better polymeric materials and more-informed decisions on nanoplastics.
This is what you are going to do
As one of three PhD candidates in the STREAMLINED project, you will be appointed within an interdisciplinary consortium working on the development of new analytical technology for nanoplastics. Together, the three PhD candidates will build an integrated workflow that connects representative sampling, sample preparation, multidimensional characterization, automated method development and chemometric data analysis. Each candidate will take ownership of one work package, while collaborating closely with the other PhD candidates, academic supervisors and consortium partners.
PhD 1 (appointed at UvA): Sampling and sample preparation for nanoplastics in aquatic environments
- Develop and evaluate sampling and sample-preparation strategies for nanoplastics in aquatic matrices, including the use of reference materials, filtration, ultrafiltration, cloud-point extraction, digestion strategies and preconcentration workflows.
- Assess recoveries, matrix effects and method robustness in relevant water samples, and contribute to the development and validation of sampling protocols that are compatible with downstream separation and characterization methods.
PhD 2 (appointed at VU): Multidimensional characterization of nanoplastics
- Develop size-based separation methods for nanoplastics, using techniques such as hydrodynamic chromatography and field-flow fractionation, with a focus on robustness, resolving power and compatibility with molecular characterization.
- Design and implement an interface that couples liquid-phase nanoplastic separations to Py-GC/MS, enabling the correlation of nanoplastic size distributions with molecular composition in a single analytical workflow.
PhD 3 (appointed at UvA): Chemometric data analysis and automated method optimization
- Develop chemometric and computational strategies to extract meaningful chemical information from complex multidimensional datasets generated by the STREAMLINED analytical workflow.
- Create and apply automated method-development strategies, including Bayesian-optimization approaches, to optimize separation, modulation and data-processing conditions and improve the robustness and accessibility of the methods.
Across the project, you will collaborate intensively with academic researchers and public and private partners, contribute to validation and implementation of the developed methods, publish your work in peer-reviewed journals, present your results at scientific and consortium meetings, participate in relevant secondments, and contribute to teaching activities within the department. The three work packages follow the STREAMLINED structure on sampling strategies, structural characterization, and data-analysis algorithms and optimization.
This is what we ask of you
- A degree at MSc level in a field relevant to STREAMLINED, such as analytical chemistry, separation science, mass spectrometry, chemometrics or data science;
- Excellent communication skills in oral and written English;
- Candidates with demonstrated experience with sampling strategies (PhD1), (multi-dimensional ) separation science methods such as PyGC-MS, FFF and/or LC-MS (PhD2), data analysis strategies, machine learning and optimization methods such as Bayesian optimization strategies (PhD3) are strongly preferred.
- Ability to use theoretical concepts relevant for the above-mentioned techniques to design your work, interpret results and propose next steps and/or ability to develop these.
- Motivation to take ownership of your topic and independently tackle scientific challenges.;
- Willingness to work with researchers from different disciplines and with public and private consortium partners.
In your application letter, please specify how your experience in the relevant field adds value to the STREAMLINED project and the analysis of nanoplastics to advance material development and environmental analysis.
This is what we offer you
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). The preferred starting date is ultimately between 1 August and 1 September 2026. 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 undergraduates and master students.
The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and ranges between €3,059 (1st year) to €3,881, 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 Universitiesis applicable.
Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at both Science Park (UvA) and the O2 building on the VU campus we offer you multiple fringe benefits:
- 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime);
- multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
- multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
- partly paid parental leave;
- the possibility to set up a workplace at home;
- a pension at ABP for which UvA/VU 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 or here VU employment conditions.
This is where you will work
You will work in the highly interdisciplinary, state-of-the-art laboratories of the University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit of Amsterdam. The self-driving analytical AI lab of the Chemometrics and Advanced Separations Technology group of Bob Pirok and Alina Astefanei at the van ‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS) of the University of Amsterdam develops advanced separation methods, chemometrics and automated method-development strategies for complex analytical challenges. The Chemistry for Environment & Health group of Marja Lamoree and Frederic Béen at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is known to be a leading thought leader in environmental analytical chemistry, water analysis, micro- and nanoplastics, emerging contaminants and data-science-based contaminant detection.
Through the Centre for Analytical Sciences Amsterdam, you will benefit from the combined strengths of the UvA and VU analytical-chemistry groups. CASA brings together strong analytical-science expertise in Amsterdam and connects with industrial partners and wider societal applications.
You will also have the opportunity to work closely with partners from industry, water analysis, environmental science and analytical instrumentation. This means that your research will not stop at method development, but will contribute to analytical technology that can help make nanoplastics measurable, support cleaner water, and enable better-informed decisions on safer and more sustainable materials.
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 of the University of Amsterdam 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 mission of the Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment (A-LIFE) is to advance the fundamental understanding of the interplay between life and its environment through innovative and curiosity-driven science. A-LIFE connects properties and emergent behaviors from micro to global scales, from molecules to ecosystems, including human populations. The Chemistry for Environment & Health (CEH) section within A-LIFE conducts world-leading research developing analytical chemistry and computational methods to identify and prioritize emerging environmental and health concerns. Core activities span targeted analysis of contaminants (including PFAS, microplastics, and flame retardants), suspect screening, and non-target screening (NTS), supported by advanced modelling and data pipelines for exposure assessment, human biomonitoring, and effect-directed analysis. The section operates a state-of-the-art laboratory with high-end LC and GC systems, multiple mass spectrometry platforms, complemented by machine learning and cheminformatics capabilities.
Are you excited to develop the next generation of analytical technology for one of today’s most challenging societal questions? Do you want to help make nanoplastics measurable by combining smart sampling, advanced separation science, molecular characterization and chemometric data analysis? In the STREAMLINED project, we are looking for three PhD candidates. Together you will build new methods to detect, characterize and understand nanoplastics. Your work will provide the missing analytical link needed for safer, more durable and sustainable materials as well as cleaner water and better-informed material-development and environmental decisions.
Join us in developing the analytical technology needed to make nanoplastics measurable
The STREAMLINED project is looking for three PhD candidates who will work together on one integrated challenge: developing robust methods to detect, characterize and understand nanoplastics in aquatic environments. The project combines sampling and sample preparation, advanced separation and molecular characterization, and chemometric data analysis and optimization. You will become part of an interdisciplinary team at the University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, working closely with partners from industry, water analysis, environmental science and analytical instrumentation. Together, we aim to provide the missing analytical link needed for better environmental monitoring, safer and better polymeric materials and more-informed decisions on nanoplastics.
This is what you are going to do
As one of three PhD candidates in the STREAMLINED project, you will be appointed within an interdisciplinary consortium working on the development of new analytical technology for nanoplastics. Together, the three PhD candidates will build an integrated workflow that connects representative sampling, sample preparation, multidimensional characterization, automated method development and chemometric data analysis. Each candidate will take ownership of one work package, while collaborating closely with the other PhD candidates, academic supervisors and consortium partners.
PhD 1 (appointed at UvA): Sampling and sample preparation for nanoplastics in aquatic environments
- Develop and evaluate sampling and sample-preparation strategies for nanoplastics in aquatic matrices, including the use of reference materials, filtration, ultrafiltration, cloud-point extraction, digestion strategies and preconcentration workflows.
- Assess recoveries, matrix effects and method robustness in relevant water samples, and contribute to the development and validation of sampling protocols that are compatible with downstream separation and characterization methods.
PhD 2 (appointed at VU): Multidimensional characterization of nanoplastics
- Develop size-based separation methods for nanoplastics, using techniques such as hydrodynamic chromatography and field-flow fractionation, with a focus on robustness, resolving power and compatibility with molecular characterization.
- Design and implement an interface that couples liquid-phase nanoplastic separations to Py-GC/MS, enabling the correlation of nanoplastic size distributions with molecular composition in a single analytical workflow.
PhD 3 (appointed at UvA): Chemometric data analysis and automated method optimization
- Develop chemometric and computational strategies to extract meaningful chemical information from complex multidimensional datasets generated by the STREAMLINED analytical workflow.
- Create and apply automated method-development strategies, including Bayesian-optimization approaches, to optimize separation, modulation and data-processing conditions and improve the robustness and accessibility of the methods.
Across the project, you will collaborate intensively with academic researchers and public and private partners, contribute to validation and implementation of the developed methods, publish your work in peer-reviewed journals, present your results at scientific and consortium meetings, participate in relevant secondments, and contribute to teaching activities within the department. The three work packages follow the STREAMLINED structure on sampling strategies, structural characterization, and data-analysis algorithms and optimization.
This is what we ask of you
- A degree at MSc level in a field relevant to STREAMLINED, such as analytical chemistry, separation science, mass spectrometry, chemometrics or data science;
- Excellent communication skills in oral and written English;
- Candidates with demonstrated experience with sampling strategies (PhD1), (multi-dimensional ) separation science methods such as PyGC-MS, FFF and/or LC-MS (PhD2), data analysis strategies, machine learning and optimization methods such as Bayesian optimization strategies (PhD3) are strongly preferred.
- Ability to use theoretical concepts relevant for the above-mentioned techniques to design your work, interpret results and propose next steps and/or ability to develop these.
- Motivation to take ownership of your topic and independently tackle scientific challenges.;
- Willingness to work with researchers from different disciplines and with public and private consortium partners.
In your application letter, please specify how your experience in the relevant field adds value to the STREAMLINED project and the analysis of nanoplastics to advance material development and environmental analysis.
This is what we offer you
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). The preferred starting date is ultimately between 1 August and 1 September 2026. 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 undergraduates and master students.
The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and ranges between €3,059 (1st year) to €3,881, 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 Universitiesis applicable.
Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at both Science Park (UvA) and the O2 building on the VU campus we offer you multiple fringe benefits:
- 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime);
- multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
- multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
- partly paid parental leave;
- the possibility to set up a workplace at home;
- a pension at ABP for which UvA/VU 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 or here VU employment conditions.
This is where you will work
You will work in the highly interdisciplinary, state-of-the-art laboratories of the University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit of Amsterdam. The self-driving analytical AI lab of the Chemometrics and Advanced Separations Technology group of Bob Pirok and Alina Astefanei at the van ‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS) of the University of Amsterdam develops advanced separation methods, chemometrics and automated method-development strategies for complex analytical challenges. The Chemistry for Environment & Health group of Marja Lamoree and Frederic Béen at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is known to be a leading thought leader in environmental analytical chemistry, water analysis, micro- and nanoplastics, emerging contaminants and data-science-based contaminant detection.
Through the Centre for Analytical Sciences Amsterdam, you will benefit from the combined strengths of the UvA and VU analytical-chemistry groups. CASA brings together strong analytical-science expertise in Amsterdam and connects with industrial partners and wider societal applications.
You will also have the opportunity to work closely with partners from industry, water analysis, environmental science and analytical instrumentation. This means that your research will not stop at method development, but will contribute to analytical technology that can help make nanoplastics measurable, support cleaner water, and enable better-informed decisions on safer and more sustainable materials.
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 of the University of Amsterdam 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 mission of the Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment (A-LIFE) is to advance the fundamental understanding of the interplay between life and its environment through innovative and curiosity-driven science. A-LIFE connects properties and emergent behaviors from micro to global scales, from molecules to ecosystems, including human populations. The Chemistry for Environment & Health (CEH) section within A-LIFE conducts world-leading research developing analytical chemistry and computational methods to identify and prioritize emerging environmental and health concerns. Core activities span targeted analysis of contaminants (including PFAS, microplastics, and flame retardants), suspect screening, and non-target screening (NTS), supported by advanced modelling and data pipelines for exposure assessment, human biomonitoring, and effect-directed analysis. The section operates a state-of-the-art laboratory with high-end LC and GC systems, multiple mass spectrometry platforms, complemented by machine learning and cheminformatics capabilities.
If you recognize yourself in the profile and are interested in the position, we look forward to receiving your motivation letter and CV. You can respond via the red button up to and including 15 June 2026.
Please include the following documents in your application (as PDF files):
- A motivation letter (max. 2 pages A4) in which you clearly explain with specific examples how your expertise or ideas contribute to one of the three work packages. Specify a preference for one of the three PhDs and explain your choice.
- Your CV, including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience, including a list of publications
- Contact details of at least one academic reference
The first interviews will be scheduled between 9 July and 17 July.
A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure (for details: national knowledge security guidelines). If you receive an error message while applying from abroad, please try again later or contact us for assistance.
For questions about the position, please contact:
Dr. Bob Pirok
b.w.j.pirok@uva.nl
+31 (0)20 525 6531
