As a business developer you create and manage relationships between academics and their potential business- (including start-up and scale-up), governmental- and other academic partners. You do this with the aim of developing research projects and -programmes with impact and to attract funding for this. You look for opportunities in the EUR academic community, which can be further developed with companies and societal organizations you (pro)actively interact and negotiate with possible partners in the region, in the Netherlands and internationally.

Your focus areas will be Artificial Intelligence and Resilient Rotterdam Delta. Both themes are central in the convergence strategy of Erasmus University, Erasmus Medical Center and Delft University of Technology. We strongly believe that the interdisciplinary collaboration between the complementary research fields of these academic institutes will greatly enhance our impact mission. The three institutions have firm ambitions to build public private funded institutions in these fields. As a business developer you will play a central role in this.

Your main responsibilities will be to:

• To (pro)actively connect business and societal partners with researchers from Erasmus University, in the area of Artificial Intelligence and Resilient Rotterdam Delta;
• Help researchers and their potential partners from business and society to identify, explore and establish collaborative research trajectories, research projects and research programmes;
• Build and maintain a broad network within the university, with other academic institutes, societal partners, start-ups and corporates;
• Proactively connect EUR research with regional, national and international knowledge and innovation agenda’s;
• Actively search for funding opportunities from societal and business partners, where needed via strategic usage of regional, national, European or other subsidies;
• Support EUR researchers in the realization of public private partnership institutes in the areas of Artificial Intelligence and Resilient Rotterdam Delta within the framework of the convergence strategy of EUR, TU Delft and Erasmus Medical Center;
• Build, together with director Erasmus Research Services, on strategic business development strategies and services within Erasmus University and follow up on them.

Required experience and skills are:

• Academic education, at least Master degree
• Five years’ experience with creating and managing public private collaboration in an academic environment preferably in areas with involvement of social sciences and humanities;
• The capability to quickly identify the essence of research projects and research ideas and match them with the potential interest from businesses or societal partners;
• The capability to act as a trusted sparring partner for top scientists and decision makers from corporate and societal partners;
• A relevant network in private sector and public institutions and the ability to activate and expand this network for the purpose of building public private partnerships;
• Ability to connect people with different backgrounds and interests by focusing on research content, motivations of the partners and by carefully listing;
• Affinity with the themes of Artificial Intelligence and resilient cities and the capability to quickly acquire the essential basic scientific understanding of the EUR research in these areas;
• A proactive, entrepreneurial, hands-on, flexible and open attitude;
• A good set of people skills, a keen eye for different interests/motivations and you are at ease in organizations and on issues with a high level of complexity;
• Excellent communication skills (Dutch and English)

You will become a member of the department Erasmus Research Services, a team of approximately 17 people. You will report to the Director of the Erasmus Research Services.

Fixed-term contract: Initially for one year, in case of good performance the contract may be extended or changed to a permanent contract.

Internationally-oriented and varied work within an enthusiastic team. You have the opportunity to pioneer, set up and further develop an essential service.

We offer attractive fringe benefits in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU). We offer a contract initially for one year (1 fte, full-time appointment is 38 hours). Your remuneration will depend on the position, and within that your specific knowledge and experience, and will be calculated on the basis of full-time salary with a maximum of € 6.133,- gross per month (salary scale 13, CAO NU). Erasmus University Rotterdam offers attractive terms of employment, including a holiday allowance of 8%, a year-end payment of 8.3% and 41 holidays per year based on a full-time appointment. In addition, EUR takes part in the ABP pension scheme, and we also offer partially paid parental leave. Moreover, EUR staff members are allowed to make use of the EUR facilities, including the Erasmus Sports Centre and the University Library.

Erasmus University Rotterdam

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) is an internationally oriented university with a strong social orientation in its teaching and research. Our scientists and students work in close collaboration with internal and external parties to solve global, societal challenges, inspired by the always dynamic and cosmopolitan Rotterdam. Our mission is 'Creating positive societal impact, the Erasmian way'. Our academic education is intensive, active and application-oriented. Our research increasingly takes place in multidisciplinary teams, which are strongly interwoven with international networks. With our research impact and thanks to the high quality of education, the EUR can measure up to the top of European universities. The 'Erasmian values' act as our internal compass and make Erasmus University recognisable to the outside world: enterprising, socially involved, world citizen, open-minded and connecting.

We attach great value to diversity and believe that a diversity of talents contributes to our vision and strategy to excel in research and education as a university. That is why we are looking for a person who can complement our team from a diversity perspective.

Erasmus Research Services

The Erasmus Research Services (ERS) of the EUR provides support to individual researchers and research groups in the areas of grants, ethical reviews, legal advice, research data management, open science and research intelligence. 

The ERS service is for the benefit of all faculties and is located in a complex stakeholder landscape. Innovation, acquisition of financial (subsidy/sponsor) funds, connection with society, companies and (external) stakeholders are the most important tasks at its core.