We are looking for an Analytical Expert with experience in analytical chemistry, method development, and physicochemical characterization and who is eager to apply these skills in a dynamic research environment. In this role, you will leverage your technical expertise to provide and develop accurate analyses and quality assessments, maintain advanced instrumentation, and contribute to innovative biosurfactant product development in a collaborative research environment.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
The surfactant market is a highly dynamic environment, requiring continuous product improvements and short- to medium-term innovation projects. With several competing technologies entering the biosurfactant space, AmphiStar must keep differentiating itself.
As an
Analytical Expert
, you will play a key role in ensuring the quality and performance of our innovative biosurfactant solutions. This role calls for solid analytical expertise and the ability to tackle practical problems in a laboratory setting as well as to perform in depth data analysis. You will:
* Operate and maintain an
HPLC system and other analytical equipment,
ensuring continuous functionality and troubleshooting issues in collaboration with technicians;
* Develop and validate analytical methods
in compliance with SOPs;
* Perform
sample analysis for biosurfactant production and metabolic fingerprinting
and
process & interpret data
accurately;
* Support physico-chemical characterisation, e.g.
surface tension analysis
and work with characterization instruments for surfactant chemistry;
* Contribute to formulation development and provide analytical insights to
improve product performance
;
* Communicate effectively with
cross-functional teams
to ensure timely and accurate reporting.
* Maintain accurate documentation and ensure compliance with quality standards.
Our ideal candidate can identify themselves in the following qualifications:
* Master or bachelor degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, biotech, biochemistry, bio-engineering or equivalent. Bachelor degree with min. 2 years experience;
* Experience with analytical techniques and HPLC-systems, basic knowledge of LC-MS interpretation;
* Familiarity with characterisation tools for surfactants and formulation processes
(interfacial tension, contact angle,..);
* Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work hands-on in a laboratory environment;
* Demonstrated ability to manage projects in a matrix environment and strong in cross-team communication;
* Good knowledge of the surfactant market and especially on the Home & Personal Care market in its different applications area (detergent, ADW, body wash, shampoos, hard surface cleaner ….) is a plus.
* Technical background in formulating surfactants in different applications is a plus;
* You are a strong communicator and can easily build relations and grow partnerships with key internal and external stakeholders;
* You are an enthusiastic team player, but you can work independently and take initiative to get things done;
* You are fluent in English; other languages (French, German, Dutch) are an asset.
WHAT DO WE OFFER YOU?
We offer you the opportunity to take on a key role within one of the most innovative biosurfactant companies in the world, headquartered in Ghent (Zwijnaarde).
You will join a young, growing, and informal organization where initiative, engagement, and responsibility are truly valued.
* A varied position with room to grow and add your own personal touch.
* A close-knit and enthusiastic team of AmphiStars who support each other and have fun together.
* An open, multicultural, and inclusive work environment where respect, sustainability, and collaboration are central.
* A competitive salary package, complemented by:
* Meal vouchers
* Additional leave days (ADV)
* Hospitalization insurance
* Group insurance
* CAO90 bonus
* Bicycle allowance
* A safe and pleasant workplace in Zwijnaarde, easily accessible from Gent Sint-Pieters with a free shuttle service.
Are you excited to help build a more sustainable future and shape the bio-economy of tomorrow? Send us your motivation letter and CV today – we look forward to meeting you
AMPHISTAR - WHO WE ARE
AmphiStar
is a
young and dynamic spin-off company
(2021) of Ghent University and the Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant. We offer a portfolio of locally produced, fully waste-based
biosurfactants
for brand owners and their suppliers seeking to develop genuinely sustainable, performant and affordable surfactant substitutes.
Today,
98% of these surfactants are not sustainable
: they are mainly based on fossil- or palm oil feedstocks and typically produced using classical (harsh) chemical processes. AmphiStar has a flexible and scalable production technology that can convert
waste and industrial side streams
to a wide range of
biosurfactants
through
fermentation
. AmphiStar's biosurfactants are hence sustainable, local and circular, and moreover, they do not compete with feedstock for food production and are not associated with direct land use for their production.
AmphiStar has the mission to develop, scale up and produce biosurfactants at industrially relevant level
by building new local and distributed biosurfactant production facilities
at feedstock sites, reducing EU's dependency on imports. The developed process and products
are safe and sustainable by design