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Working at CHILL: Maxima visiting as a bonus
All the students are on vacation, so it's quiet at the CHILL Lab on the Brightlands Chemelot Campus in Geleen. As a junior researcher, Sam's task for this academic year is over. Well, almost then. His students have all graduated, but he is making sure everything at the lab is in order for next year. That, too, is part of his work for CHILL. In this series the word: young talent at CHILL. For this interview, we speak with Sam Castermans, junior researcher.
Sam Castermans is 26 years old, junior researcher at CHILL and responsible for the Synthesis Lab. He graduated last year from Radboud University in Nijmegen with a specialization in Molecular Chemistry and has been working for CHILL since September 2023. About that choice, he says, "In the beginning it took some getting used to, that transition from 'pure' research to supervising students. It really is a completely different branch of sport.' In the process, he also has to make sure the lab is in order, and that is, at times, quite a lot.
'You see the students grow tremendously in the 20 weeks they are here. The problem-solving ability really skyrockets'
Next academic year, he will fortunately have a colleague who will take over the lab's facilities management. Then Sam can focus on what he enjoys most about his job: guiding students. 'You see the students grow enormously in the 20 weeks they are here. The problem-solving skills really skyrocket," he says. 'When my students walk out with an eight, or maybe even a nine, part of that feels like my accomplishment, too.'
Personalia
- Who: Sam Castermans
- Age: 26 years old
- Birthplace: Sittard-Geleen
- Position: junior researcher in Organic Chemistry
- CHILLer since: 2023
It's like cooking spaghetti!
Sam is responsible for the projects in the Synthesis Lab. Here new types of "substances" (molecules) are developed, for example by combining other substances or treating substances at high or low temperatures. Among other things, his students are working on a project for a rubber manufacturer. They are preserving car tires. Car tires now contain a substance that starts the rubber's production process but does little else. By modifying this molecule and making sure it performs multiple functions, the idea is to make more wear-resistant tires. That sounds very complicated, but according to Sam, it's "actually" just cooking. 'Hard spaghetti you can't eat, but if you cook it for 10 minutes, it's a different substance. Then you have to pour it off to clean the 'molecule'. What remains is usable.'
A day as a junior researcher at CHILL
When I ask Sam what a normal day as a junior researcher looks like, he finds it a difficult question. 'No day is the same. For example, right now it's very quiet, it's vacation season. Last week I was in the office a lot and in meetings to assess students. In other weeks I am more in the lab, helping students with their research.'Â
'No day is the same. This past week I was in the office a lot and in meetings grading students. In other weeks, I'm at the lab more, helping students with their research.'Â
He talks about the various research projects in which he is involved. As a junior researcher, he supervises students in various research groups. At CHILL, these are called Communities for Development. As a result, he learns a lot about different topics, rather than one research, as is the case with regular research or laboratory work. Currently, he supervises about 20 students. They are divided into six different projects. The students work in groups of two to five people. Each group consults weekly in their Community and so sometimes Sam may spend the entire day in consultation.
Hard work, great reward
'It does sound a bit negative,' he says, but according to Sam, it's also 'pretty tough' as a junior researcher. 'You have to want to work seriously. Wanting to contribute something is very important. At CHILL we are working on important solutions in the field of sustainability and innovation, you have to want to go for that. And I really need a vacation here for the first time in my life," he jokes.
On the other hand, through the CHILL network you get to know many companies that can be of value for your later career and there is much appreciation for what you do: 'I am very enthusiastic about my work, and that is seen by others. As a result, I am often asked for extra things.' Last year, in one week, Queen Máxima visited his lab and he got to present CHILL at the TEFAF in Maastricht. Sam: 'I never thought in my life that I would get to experience that up close and personal!'