Research Support Staff: Citizen Science and Microplastics

at  Universiteit van Amsterdam

Research Support Staff: Citizen Science and Microplastics
Faculteit/Dienst: Faculteit der Natuurw., Wiskunde & Informatica
Opleidingsniveau: Universiteit
Functie type: Ondersteunend Beheer Personeel
Sluitingsdatum: 15 augustus 2024
Vacaturenummer: 13257
Are you passionate about sustainable textiles, (micro)plastic pollution and societal engagement?
The SISTEM-NL project is looking for a new colleague who is enthusiastic about research on microplastics in textiles and who is keen on guiding a broad community of citizen scientists in collaborating in this research. We seek someone who is open to doing practical work, organize different project activities, and is willing to work in close communication with the citizen scientists.

YOUR EXPERIENCE AND PROFILE:

• BSc or MSc in environmental sciences or related field, preferably with some laboratory experience;
• Good communicator in English and Dutch;
• Some affinity with and enthusiasm for scientific research;
• Readiness to participate in inter/transdisciplinary cooperation;
• Comfortable interacting with press, project partners, citizen scientists.

ABOUT US

The University of Amsterdam is the Netherlands’ largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 30,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.
The Faculty of Science 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 Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) is one of eight research institutes of the Faculty of Science at the University of Amsterdam. The research at IBED aims to unravel how ecosystems function in all their complexity, and how they change due to natural processes and human activities. At its core lies an integrated systems approach to study biodiversity, ecosystems and the environment. IBED adopts this systems approach to ecosystems, addressing abiotic and biotic factors, and the interplay between those. The IBED vision includes research encompassing experimental and theoretical approaches at a wide variety of temporal and spatial scales, i.e. from molecules and microorganisms to patterns and processes occurring at the global scale. The University of Amsterdam has excellent high performance computing facilities. Furthermore, IBED has a dedicated computational support team with specialized knowledge of bioinformatics, (geo)database management and scientific programming. IBED also works with non-academic partners to deliver transdisciplinary science for society.
The SISTEM-NL project investigates the release of synthetic microfibres (a form of microplastics) from textiles during everyday washing of clothing. Textiles are the 4th largest source of microplastics and better understanding the factors influencing microfibre release, as well as studying societal views on textiles as a source of microplastic pollution, is needed to design effective mitigation measures. In SISTEM-NL citizen scientists work together with an interdisciplinary team of scientists from the UvA’s Faculties of Science (FNWI) and of Social and Behavioural Sciences (FMG) to tackle this sustainability challenge.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

In this role, you will play a key part in the SISTEM-NL project, focusing on research related to microplastics released from textiles. Your main responsibilities will include:

• Community management for Citizen Scientists: You will actively communicate with a diverse group of citizen scientists, guiding and collaborating with them to ensure their contributions are valuable and that participants remain motivated through a direct link with the university;
• Gather input for and structure weekly progress meetings: You will be responsible for getting updates from the team (statistician, colleagues from the lab, students and external partners) and structuring weekly meetings according to the planning and the updates, ensuring that all participants are aligned and informed about the project’s progress and next steps;
• Project planning: Together with the project coordinator, you will keep track of the project timeline and milestones, ensuring that all activities are on schedule and any potential issues are addressed promptly. You also safeguard proper data and folder management;
• Collaboration with researchers and outside partners: You will communicate and collaborate with various researchers within the SISTEM-NL project, facilitating the exchange of ideas and ensuring a cohesive approach to the research goals. You are the first contact point for external communications;
• Lab Work: You will engage in some lab work for measuring microplastic release from washing textiles in a standard washing machine in our laboratories – together with research support staff of the ELD laboratory at IBED – to support our research.

TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Community Management for Citizen Scientists: provide guidance, instructions, feedback, … ;
• Facilitate project overview and coordination by gathering progress input from the various SISTEM-NL colleagues and structuring the weekly meetings;
• Act as a first contact point for external partners (researchers, societal actors, industry, press);
• Engage in some lab work alongside research support staff.