PhD in Organic Chemistry – Portable Mass Spectrometry for Food Safety – Wageningen University

Key details

• Host institution: Wageningen University & Research
• Location: Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg, Wageningen, Netherlands
• Application deadline: August 3, 2026

Funding

Not funded by a EU programme

Funding level (from listing): partial or not via EU framework — confirm on the official call.

How to apply

• Apply by email to [email protected] (subject line and attachments per the official instructions).
• Full vacancy text and updates: Euraxess listing.

About the position

We are seeking a PhD candidate to join the Laboratory of Organic Chemistry at Wageningen University & Research, in close collaboration with Wageningen Food Safety Research. This position is part of the NWO-funded VIDI project GPS4FoodSafety, which aims to develop novel routes for achieving molecular selectivity in ambient ionization for portable mass spectrometry, enabling the detection of natural toxins in crops and water at the point-of-need.

Project Focus

As a PhD student, you will develop innovative approaches to impart chemical selectivity on easy-to-use sample probes that can be coupled to a portable mass spectrometer for food safety applications outside the laboratory. Your work will focus on the chemical modification of cellulose paper to create highly selective solid-phase extraction devices for enriching targeted contaminants, including plant toxins and cyanobacterial toxins. You will also apply 3D-printing and rapid prototyping to develop modular sample extraction and handling devices, and integrate the selective probes with the portable mass spectrometer.

Your Duties and Responsibilities

• Collaborate to achieve analytical workflows for molecular identification of toxins using portable mass spectrometry, demonstrated in pilot studies with project stakeholders.
• Develop research questions, experimental approaches, and execute laboratory experiments and pilot studies.
• Report findings to the scientific community via peer-reviewed publications and conference contributions.
• Participate in education by supervising BSc and MSc students in laboratory courses and thesis projects.
• Register with the graduate school and receive training in field-specific, general scientific, and soft skills to support your professional development as an independent scientist.

Requirements

• Strong affinity for innovative mass spectrometry and a commitment to positive impact on global food safety.
• Enjoyment of creative processes and curiosity-driven research.
• Proactive and goal-oriented approach.
• Excellent teamwork skills.

Work Environment

This project is part of an NWO Vidi grant awarded to Dr. Gert Salentijn, executed in the Laboratory of Organic Chemistry (headed by Prof. Han Zuilhof). You will be supervised by Dr. Gert Salentijn, with support from Dr. Laura Righetti and Prof. Han Zuilhof. The PhD project is a collaboration with Wageningen Food Safety Research.