Are you an enthusiastic, independent, communicative and proactive project manager? Then we are looking for you to strengthen our Research Support Office (RSO) team at the Faculty of Geosciences at Utrecht University!

Utrecht University has received two grants on delta research for national consortia, financed by the Dutch Research Council NWO. As our new project manager, you will support participating researchers and manage the non-scientific aspects of both projects, thus contributing to the overall success of the consortia coordinated by the Faculty of Geosciences. You will work closely with the Scientific Coordinators of the two projects, with whom you will form the central management team. The consortia mainly consist of academic and societal partners in the Netherlands. You will be responsible for the administrative processes of the two projects, including (financial) planning and reporting, monitoring and management of project implementation, contract management and compliance, archive management, and the organisation of project meetings. Communication and organisational skills are crucial for this position. You will also be involved in exploring new funding opportunities and supporting the preparation of new grant applications. Organisationally, you will be embedded in the RSO of the faculty, closely working together with an experienced group of project managers.

Delta-ENIGMA (2023-2033) is a 10-year NWO-funded Large-Scale Research Infrastructure project with 7 scientific partners. It will provide infrastructure for intensive observational and experimental research of the Dutch delta in order to improve our understanding how organisms, currents, waves, water and sediment shape the delta landscape. This so-called biogeomorphology lies at the heart of Delta-ENIGMA. Delta-ENIGMA will transform the Dutch delta into a supersite for biogeomorphological field measurements. The key innovation is a delta-wide set of instruments for long-term data collection as well as for extreme events to capture slow trends and sudden disruptions. This supersite will closely interact with upgraded and new laboratory facilities that study physical processes in isolation to test biotic response to conditions that may not currently exist but will become realistic under climate change. To maximize societal impact, Delta-ENIGMA will establish a facility aimed at the production and communication of societally relevant science. Delta-ENIGMA is the Dutch contribution to the pan-European Research Infrastructure Danubius-RI.

Most Delta-ENIGMA partners also collaborate in the second project: the 5-year NWO-Perspectief project WadSED (2023-2028), which will create knowledge in system dynamics and sediment management under climate change in the Wadden Sea and Western Scheldt. This consortium aims for co-created impact with 17 societal partners. As one step in the science building on existing data and on new infrastructure (from Delta-ENIGMA), the WadSED project will develop tools for big data analyses and numerical modelling of biogeomorphology and sediment management.

Once these projects are completed, there are several opportunities to support new projects, building on our successful project acquisition experience.

• For the two NWO projects (in the Department of Physical Geography), of which our faculty is the coordinator, you will be in charge of assuring smooth operations of the project processes and organization and will work hand-in-hand with the Scientific Coordinators.
• You will monitor the progress and quality of project activities and results, including reporting to NWO, identify bottlenecks and suggest improvements when relevant.
• You will maintain project-central administration and archiving, inform partners of NWO regulations, and collect information from the partners for activities and reporting.
• You will act as an intermediary between various parties involved and will be responsible for both the internal and external communication, as well as the organisation of dissemination activities such as scientific workshops and the projects’ websites.
• You are actively embedded in the consortium activities, which also include participating in project meetings.
• During the lifecycle of the projects, you will be responsible for monitoring and anticipating complex or sensitive issues (risks) that might arise. You will keep a close eye on such issues and develop a plan on how to deal with them.
• Additionally, you will take part in RSO team activities and share your experiences with the RSO team to enhance skills and knowledge of team members.

We are looking for a colleague with the following competences:

• strong organisational skills and experienced with managing multi-partner and multi-disciplinary research projects;
• educated at academic level, preferably in Earth or Environmental Sciences;
• proactive, service-oriented with a can-do mentality, flexible and able to deal with (tight) deadlines and complex situations;
• excellent writing and communication skills in English; an understanding of the Dutch language is an advantage;
• knowledge of the funding landscape (national and/or European) including financial aspects;
• research experience and/or other experience that helps you to connect to our researchers is a plus.

We offer a temporary position (0.8 - 1.0 FTE) for one year in an international working environment. After positive evaluation, this can be turned into a permanent position. The gross salary - depending on previous qualifications and experience - ranges between €2,960 and €4,670 (scale 10 according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities) per month for a full-time employment. Depending on qualification and experience, salary scale 11 (ranges between €3,974 and €5,439) is negotiable for this position. Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3% per year.


In addition, Utrecht University offers excellent secondary conditions, including an attractive retirement scheme, professional development, (partly paid) parental leave, sports and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). For more information, please visit working at Utrecht University.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability.

The Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth's core to its surface, including man's spatial and material utilisation of the Earth - always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.