Junior Researcher Lab Support

Location

Zwijnaarde

Working hours

Full-time

Contract Type

Permanent

Working area

R&D

Join the team

Agriculture plays a fundamental role in fulfilling many of humanity’s basic needs: food, feed, energy. To support growers and those who take care of our environment, BASF develops innovative solutions for farming, pest- disease- and weed- control and landscape. Within BASF Seed and Traits R&D Innovation Center in Gent, the Lab Support group in Trait Research provides support to all research laboratories by delivering qualitative media and solutions (including GLP), managing purchase orders, managing washing services, sterilization and maintenance of lab equipment, in an operational organization aimed at minimal cost and timelines while ensuring required quality and traceability.

We are seeking a Junior Researcher for the Lab Support group who is pragmatic, enthusiastic, and inspiring. The ideal candidate will be confident in taking Lab Support to the next level by embracing digital advancements and prioritizing customer satisfaction.

Responsibilities

As a Jr. Researcher, we expect you to implement independently and design under supervision experimental approaches to achieve critical milestones for an assigned subset of tasks within a research program.
You, as a Lab Support group member, will be hands-on involved in the execution and organization of supporting activities such as delivering of media, solutions, purchase orders, washing and sterilization, maintenance of lab equipment, etc.
You will be responsible for coordinating the translation of our customer needs. Your digital mindset will be instrumental in ensuring the continuous improvement of traceability and the integrated use of various applications.
As part of your responsibilities for our new media preparation tool, you will actively participate in user acceptance testing, training sessions, and the creation of training materials. This collaborative effort will involve working closely with the producer of the tool and other internal users.
You will optimize protocols and familiarize with the existing ones, identify and propose workflow improvements and you will troubleshoot where needed.
You will think along with Lab Support customers on their technology and workflow-based questions.
You will contribute to automation and optimization of lab support activities.
You will perform scientific literature studies when relevant.
You will act as a role model with respect to ensuring compliance with the relevant company standards (Quality, Health, Safety, Environment, Biosafety, Stewardship, 5S…).

Qualifications

You have a Master’s degree Life Sciences (or equivalent through experience) with a minimum of 3 years lab experience and a huge interest in lab technics.
You are a team player with a high sense of responsibility.
Hands-on experience in relevant aspects of lab supporting activities is a plus as well as experience in experiment planning and prioritization.
You have a natural curiosity for digital technology and a strong desire to leverage your skills to elevate Lab Support to a more digital and customer-focused level.
You can work accurately and independently and you are self-organized, aligned with your colleagues. You have strong logistic competencies.
You can convert new developments into technical innovation plans and expertise innovation strategy contributions.
You can advise the Lab Support group and customers providing technical and literature-based input.
You are positive, enthusiastic and known for your pragmatism, ‘getting-things done’ mentality and coaching skills.
You are an innovative and digital thinker in process & efficiency improvement and you have an eye for process automation opportunities.
You have strong networking skills and you are able to interact and cooperate with stakeholders on different levels in the organization.
You have strong communication skills and you are fluent in Dutch and English, both orally as well as in writing.

Benefits

Responsibility from day one in a challenging work environment and “on-the-job” training as part of a committed team.
Competitive compensation including attractive benefits.

Come join us in bringing the lab to the field

About BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division

Everything we do, we do for the love of farming. Farming is fundamental to provide enough healthy and affordable food for a rapidly growing population, while reducing environmental impacts. That’s why we are working with partners and experts to integrate sustainability criteria into all business decisions. We invest in a strong R&D pipeline, combining innovative thinking with practical action in the field. Our solutions are purpose-designed for different crop systems. Connecting seeds and traits, crop protection products, digital tools and sustainability approaches, to help deliver the best possible outcomes for farmers, growers and our other stakeholders along the value chain. With teams in the lab, field, office and in production, we do everything in our power to build a sustainable future for agriculture. In 2023, our division generated sales of €10.1 billion.

For more information, please visit www.agriculture.basf.com or our social media channels.

Application process

1. Application

You found the job you like on our website. Time to hit that ‘apply’-button and let us know who you are through the application form.

2. First encounter

We are intrigued by your application and call you immediately. At this point you can expect questions like: What motivates you? And what are your skills?

3. Interview

The call went great! So here you are, ready for your interview with HR and a hiring manager. We want to know more of your story and of course, you can ask about our story as well.

4. Contract

Welcome to our team. When can you start? So we can everything ready for your first day. You know, computer, paperwork, cake, balloons …

5. Onboarding

We welcome you with open arms and get you up and running. Including our eye-opening bootscamp, from the lab to the field.