As a Intructor within the Living Station Lab, you will play an important role in supporting education and experimentation in a learning environment focused on ‘living’ and biological systems. You will be working as part of a small and dedicated technical team, you will help create an inspiring, safe and well-equipped environment where students, researchers and staff can explore new ideas and bring projects to life. With your technical expertise and hands-on mindset, you will support both educational activities and support individual research by our students working in the lab. You will work closely with students at all levels, helping them develop skills, experiment with biomaterials and realise their creative and research ambitions.
In addition, you will work on:
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Maintain the Living Station Lab, ensuring that facilities, tools, equipment and materials are safe, accessible and ready for educational activities;
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Support students, tutors, instructors and external experts in the development, production and execution of projects, experiments and research activities;
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Assist and support to the making practices for novel approaches to biomaterials experimentation and related processes. Contribute to the realisation of practical manuals that enable independent learning and research;
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Prepare and support workshops, demonstrations and skills-based lessons, working closely with tutors and instructors to align activities with the curriculum;
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Develop and maintain clear documentation, user instructions and guidance materials for equipment, facilities and laboratory processes;
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Support the operational organisation of the lab, administrative tasks and the creation of content for the Living Station website.
About the Living Station Lab
The Living Station Lab is a research and learning environment focused on ‘living’ and biological systems. It supports bio-art and bio-design practices by providing facilities and technologies for investigation, creation, and collaboration. Sitting at the intersection of art, design, and biology, the lab offers space for creative exploration and critical reflection on the relationship between ecology and technology.
We have microscopes, a sterile bio cabinet, incubators, an autoclave and all the materials to work safely in the lab. Students can conduct research and explore diverse living materials and ecosystems, such as plants, mycelium, soil, and waste streams.
The Living Station Lab serves two purposes. It is a place to experiment with techniques and create biomaterials, including bioplastics, fabrics from waste streams, and other innovative materials. On the other hand, it aims to be a learning environment in which research and collaboration is encouraged with living (eco)systems in and outside the school. We organize projects on the Rooftop Garden and collaborate with external organisations who provide a different environment and context than the lab.
You are an enthusiastic and curious maker or designer who is eager to contribute to the future of bio-art and design. You have an organised, result-oriented and proactive way of working. You enjoy collaborating with others and think beyond boundaries: boundaries between disciplines, and between materials. At the same time, you are reliable, take ownership of your work and contribute to a supportive and inclusive environment where students, colleagues and partners feel welcome, respected and encouraged to learn from one another.
You also bring:
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A completed Bachelor’s or Masters Design/Arts degree in a relevant field, combined with a strong interest in biodesign, biomaterials and material innovation;
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You have some practical experience that demonstrates your ability to quickly find your way around a lab environment. You have basic knowledge of at least one of the following areas: working with biomaterials such as bioplastics, mycelium-based materials, bacterial dyes, or bacterial cellulose, or working with other living organisms;
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Experience working in a laboratory environment, including the use of techniques such as microscopy, equipment such as heat presses, fiber-processing techniques, and other relevant tools and production methods; or a strong willingness to develop these skills;
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Strong communication and interpersonal skills, enabling you to work effectively with students, colleagues and external partners;
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An affinity with education, with the ability to explain concepts and transfer knowledge in an accessible way and the ability to create a stimulating learning environment;
- Strong communication skills in both Dutch and English;
- Knowledge of biology and knowledge of sterile working practices / safety protocols are a pré.
Willem de Kooning Academie
The Willem de Kooning Academy (WdKA) is a leading international academy for Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs in media, art, design, leisure and arts education. WdKA pays attention to ecology in the broadest sense: social, cultural, technological and economical. Students are being prepared to find their way as creative professionals within the arts and the cultural field and to contribute to social challenges such as climate change, migration and inequality. Within WdKA we work from a culture in which ingenuity is central and where learning takes place through making. We encourage an environment in which there is room for experimentation and new ideas. We work from mutual trust and confidence in one another’s expertise and actively seek collaboration with respect for diverse perspectives. Within the academy, we provide an inclusive and inspiring learning and working environment in which everyone feels seen and welcome.
The Stations
The stations are centres of knowledge and expertise. They are both physical and non-physical locations that cover traditional as well as innovative technologies. The stations are at the vanguard of the developments within the professional field and the processes of production that are relevant for the art and design practice. Stations are not only a space of execution and production, but also a space in which tutors, instructors and students question why we make, how we make and for whom we make.
- A one-year contract upon starting employment (D4 CAO HBO)
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Salary in scale 7: € 3.064,08 – €4.084,93 gross per month (based on full-time employment, depending on experience and qualifications)
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A contract of 16 hours per week
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8% holiday allowance + 8,3% year-end bonus
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Up to 9 weeks of vacation (based on full-time)
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45 sustainable employability hours (for your personal development and work-life balance)
- Possibility of paid parental leave
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Excellent pension scheme (ABP)
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Compensation for internet and commuting
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Laptop
Location
You will be working at the Blaak/Wijnhaven location of the Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam, which is easily accessible by public transport.
With over 39,000 students and 4,200 dedicated staff members, we are a vibrant knowledge institution offering practical, real-world solutions to today’s societal challenges. Our mission? To equip students with the skills and mindset needed for the careers of today and tomorrow. We guide (young) professionals in their development, always placing student success at the center of everything we do.
Do you have questions about this position or the selection process? Feel free to contact Aldje van Meer, senior lecturer of the stations and the Research Centre, [email protected]. We’d rather hear from you than have you miss out on this opportunity.
In the application process, internal candidates are given priority over external candidates.
Application deadline: 23 August 2026. Due to the holiday period, the application screening will take place during the week of 24 August. You can expect to receive a response to your application from that week onwards.
We only accept applications submitted via our website.
The selection procedure includes the following steps:
- First-round interview (In the week of 31 August 2026)
- Second-round interview
- Final discussion regarding employment terms
Please note: Being able to provide a Certificate of Good Conduct (Verklaring Omtrent het Gedrag (VOG)) is a condition of employment as well as a valid EU work permit if you are from outside the EU.
At Hogeschool Rotterdam, everyone is welcome. We see talent as a foundation and diversity as a strength. An inclusive working environment is essential for creating a positive learning environment for our students. Diverse teams perform better, and we value visible diversity in our team composition. We take this into account during the selection process.
Please note: We handle our recruitment internally. Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.
