PDoc Single Biomolecules Chemical Analysis in Physiological Liquid Conditions

We are looking for a talented Post-Doctoral Researcher for a 1- to 2-years position for the development of AFM-IR infrared nanospectroscopy in combination with microfluidics to achieve chemical analysis of protein and their assemblies in liquid physiological conditions.

As a post-doctoral researcher, you will contribute to push the boundaries of nano-chemical analysis, withing the Ruggeri’s lab at Wageningen University in the frame of the project Nano-Scope.

The Nano-Scope project focuses on the study of protein interactions and self-assembly in disease and drug formulations at the single-molecule level; and it runs in collaboration with dr. Ioana Ilie at Amsterdam University, as well as several industrial partners: Bruker Nano (USA); Digital Surf (France); Novo Nordisk (Denmark); Discoveric Bio Alpha (Switzerland).

Your duties and responsibilities include: 

• developing and applying nano-chemical imaging and spectroscopy via AFM-IR to study protein structure and chemical properties;
• developing the technical capabilities of AFM-IR in liquid environment leveraging microfluidics;
• preparing and pre-characterising protein-based samples for nano-analysis;
• writing manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals reporting on the results of your research;
• supervising MSc and PhD students.

Your team

You will work with dr Francesco Simone Ruggeri and his team of Nanoscale Imaging and Spectroscopy, which will include several PhDs and Post-Doctoral researchers. The group develops and applies advanced nanoscale imaging and spectroscopy approaches to investigate the chemical, structural, and physical properties of complex molecular systems.

You will work here

You will join the group of dr Francesco Simone Ruggeri, which is embedded within the department of Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter (PCC) at Wageningen University.

You are an ambitious, curiosity-driven and collaboration-oriented scientist, with:

• a strong academic record and PhD in physical chemistry, physics, chemistry, biophysics or a related topic;
• demonstrated hands-on experience using AFM in liquid;
• experience with microfluidics design and operation;
• demonstrated skills in the preparation, handling and characterization of protein or biomolecular samples;
• experience with, or knowledge of AFM-IR;
• excellent oral and written communications skills.

In our international working environment there is an increasing amount of communication in English. For this position it is about language level C1.

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed year-end bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. Depending on your experience, we offer a competitive gross salary of between € 3.706,- and € 5.760,- for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 10). As for your contract, we initially offer a one-year contract that can be extended, if possible within (company) organizational circumstances, on good performance, for the duration of the project. 

We encourage development and internal mobility within our organization. Our recruitment and selection policy sets out the conditions that apply specifically to you as a (former) employee. If you have any questions, we are happy to help.

You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment. 

Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees. 

Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family. 

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example housing, opening a bank account, dual career programs or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.

For more information about the position, please contact Dr. Francesco Simone Ruggeri, Associate Professor, via email: simone.ruggeri@wur.nl. 
Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Rutger Voorrips, Corporate Recruiter, via email: rutger.voorrips@wur.nl.

Ready to apply?
Click on the application button next to the vacancy on our website. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.

You can apply up to and including 15 November 2026. We will start the interviews as soon as we have suitable applications, so please don’t wait with your application till the deadline.

Internal candidates are preferred to apply before 8th of October 2026.

To apply, please send the following documents:

• complete and up-to-date curriculum vitae;
• motivation letter.

Additional files such as grades and transcripts are not required during this stage and will not be considered.

Procedure
As part of our selection process, an assessment may be incorporated within the procedure.

Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.

​The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus!

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.

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