Are you passionate about scientific research and technology? Do you thrive in an innovative environment, surrounded by experts who share your enthusiasm? Are you excited about navigating the intricate world of funding and helping researchers achieve their goals? Do you possess strategic thinking skills and love empowering researchers to turn their visions into reality? Do you enjoy fostering connections between academia and industry, and acting as a content-driven leader? If your answer is a resounding "yes" to these questions, we want to hear from you! Let's connect and explore how we can collaborate to make a difference in the world of research.

Job Description

As a Project Officer, you will be engaged in a diverse range of activities related to research funding acquisition, proposal and project development, strategic thinking to meet industrial needs, and providing support to a wide variety of researchers. In your role as a project officer, you will assist researchers in identifying attractive funding opportunities, refining their research ideas, and funding strategy, coordinating (inter-)national consortia, linking researchers' competencies with industry needs, and articulating their research vision with clarity and precision. You will collaborate closely with researchers from the Mechanical Engineering department and other departments involved in the High-tech Systems Center - HTSC, as well as industrial fellows, other project officers in the department and the center and colleagues in supporting roles such as finance, legal, and HR.

It is important to mention that the project officers fulfil an important linking role between the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the High-tech Systems Center - HTSC. The POs will work 50% at this center and 50% at the Department of ME.

You will work closely with the relevant sections of the Mechanical Engineering department that are involved in the design of mechatronic systems, high-tech equipment (wafer scanners, printers, electron microscopes, wire bonders, pick-and-place machines, etc.) and cyber-physical systems. These sections include the Control Systems Technology (CST) section and the Dynamics & Control (DC) section and the Robotics (RBT) section of the ME department, but also other sections, see https://www.tue.nl/en/our-university/departments/mechanical-engineering/research. As a project officer, you play a crucial role in guiding researchers using a bottom-up approach to grow as professionals, connecting them with key stakeholders, and securing funding to support their research. This provides ample room, freedom, and opportunities for you to shape and mold your role, as well as space for personal development and growth. Your daily activities will include:

• You will be responsible for identifying funding opportunities and working closely with scientific staff to acquire external research funding from national and international (European) funding bodies or industry partners.
• Provide support in crafting persuasive proposals that maximize the chances of success while ensuring overall proposal quality.
• Monitor and analyze calls for projects, attend networking events, identify project opportunities, contribute to project proposals, manage proposal submission processes, and oversee contract negotiations.
• Identify the needs of researchers and connect them with relevant industry opportunities in the Eindhoven area, and beyond.
• Building and maintaining networks with (1) potential research partners/consortia, (2) funding institutions, (3) scientists within ME and other departments of TU/e.
• Support the relevant groups in the ME department, in particular the CST, RBT and DC sections, in building up researcher propositions.
• Forging consortia (involving both academic and industrial partners) for research proposals.
• Manage and organize meetings, ensuring effective communication and collaboration among stakeholders.

• Preferably a Master's degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering (or other relevant Engineering degree), with prior research experience or R&D engineering experience.
• Excellent networking, analytical, organizational, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work independently, with a focus on results, and a deadline-driven approach.
• Fluent in English (both oral and written), and preferably with knowledge of Dutch and/or other European languages.
• Keen interest and preferable also experience in cyber-physical systems, high-tech mechatronic equipment, systems and control, and the associated funding landscape, with experience or interest in grant writing.
• Preferably experience with Horizon Europe and national projects, particularly in dealing with (inter)national Project Officers (POs) or policy makers.
• Ability to plan, organize events and monitor progress, including establishing review procedures, risk monitoring, document archiving, progress reporting, and providing administrative support.
• Preferably in-depth knowledge of industrial and relevant stakeholders in the Eindhoven area.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with a willingness to work in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment as a team player.
• Proven experience in working with scientists in a research-intensive environment.
• Attention to detail.

An exciting position within an international yet personal university https://www.tue.nl/en/our-university . You are right at the frontier of research and innovation at TU/e, on a green and vibrant campus within walking distance of the central station. You will find varied workplaces and excellent sports facilities. We also offer you:

• A parttime position is also a possibility.
• The employment contract is for one year with the intention of converting it into a permanent position if performance is good and economic conditions remain unchanged.
• A monthly salary of minimum €3.226,- to maximum €5.929,- for full-time employment, depending on your knowledge and experience (scale 10 or 11 collective labour agreement for Dutch Universities).
• In addition to holiday allowance, a structural end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.
• A favorable arrangement for more holidays or a sabbatical.
• A selection model for additional fringe benefits.
• Working hours in consultation for an optimal work-life balance.
• Scope for your talent with advancement prospects and excellent development opportunities such as mentoring, workshops and coaching.
• Partially paid parental leave and reimbursement for commuting expenses, working from home and the internet.
• A generous employer contribution to the favorable ABP pension plan.

Here you can discover even more information about our conditions of employment. Build on your career at TU/e!