The Circularity In Urban Regions project manager is responsible for leading research and innovation projects in the field of circular economy. You develop a vision for the projects and convert this into concrete results. You manage partners, monitor the planning and coordinate collaboration between different organizations and knowledge institutions (triple & quadruple helix). We are looking for someone who can manage uncertainties and respond to unexpected events, as is inherent in experimentation in living labs.

The AMS Circularity in Urban Regions program

AMS Institute approaches circularity from a social, technological and scientific point of view. The aim is to create a more inclusive and healthier living environment and to contribute to combating climate change. The focus of the program is – at the moment – on (1) biobased construction; (2) circular infrastructure & asset management; (3) circular consumer goods, especially electronics and plastics; (4) data, monitoring and decision support for policy making. There is a strong relationship and synergy with the Metropolitan Food Systems, Urban Energy and Climate Resilience programs of AMS Institute.

What will you work on?

Project managers are responsible for realizing multidisciplinary collaboration with social and economic impact in the Amsterdam region and scalable to cities worldwide. They do this by leading multi-year research and innovation projects in the field of Circularity In Urban Regions and coordinating Urban Living Labs in which circular innovations are tested with partners in practice.

You will be the driving force behind the following projects. You will also be involved in new initiatives.

• Circular Resource Planning for IT: How can we reduce the environmental impact of IT by radically extending the lifetime of equipment? We combine technical research (predictive maintenance) with behavioural research in real-life living labs.
• Logistics in the Circular Economy Living Labs: How do we organize logistics and supply chains to manage material flows in a circular manner? In seven field labs we are working on solutions for, among other things, the reuse of solar panels and plastics.
• Biobased cementrecycling: How can we make 100% circular concrete products with minimal emissions? We will test demo products in field labs in public space (streets, quay walls)

Other responsibilities

• Coordination with fellow program developers and project managers at AMS Institute to build the medium-term strategy and synergy between programs;
• Actively participate in the development of new research and innovation projects and the positioning of AMS Institute as an internationally leading institute on urban innovation;
• Give presentations and moderate stakeholder workshops

Position in the organisation

The project manager is part of the broad Research & Innovation team of the AMS Institute that works on the six themes of the institute.

Profile

The project manager loves to connect people and has a goal-oriented attitude. You want to achieve results in the field of sustainability and innovation. You easily switch back and forth between science, government and business. You bring together the divergent visions and interests of the partners and convert these into activities with a clear owner. You dare to make decisions.

Qualifications and experience

• University level with MSc/MA or PhD in relevant subject;
• 4-8 years’ work experience in developing, starting and managing R&D and innovation projects;
• Experience in collaborating with partners across the boundaries of the own organization; 
• Experience in the field of circular economy (or related themes)
• Excellent command of the English language and good command of the Dutch language.
• Knowledge and expertise in the projects’ subjects (IT, electronics, logistics – bonus)

Fixed-term contract: with prospect of extension.

Working conditions

• The employment contract is 1 year, with prospect of extension
• 32-40 hours per week
• A salary with a minimum of € 4.800,- and a maximum of € 5.500,- gross per month based on a full working week (40 hours)
• 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%
• An excellent pension scheme through the ABP
• 200 hours of leave per year (at 40 hours)

The Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions (AMS Institute) was founded in 2014 in Amsterdam as a partnership between Delft University of Technology and Wageningen University and Research Center, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute for Technology (MIT). AMS Institute is an internationally leading institute where talent is educated and engineers, designers and both natural and social scientists jointly develop and valorize integrated metropolitan solutions. Our research is characterized by the so-called Living Labs and Test Beds, in which we carry out research directly in practice, apply knowledge and interact with users and stakeholders. Our mission is to develop a deep understanding of the city - to feel the city - to design solutions to its challenges and integrate them into the city of Amsterdam.

We do this through three main activities: education, research & valorisation and entrepreneurship & collaboration. AMS Institute works to find interdisciplinary metropolitan solutions. In close collaboration with public & private partners as well as citizens, we valorise our research in practice, with the municipality of Amsterdam as the living lab.

AMS Institute is at the heart of our society and strives to reflect the diversity of our society in our organization.

The Research & Innovation team (20 people) is managed by the Director of Innovation. The Institute is led by a three-person board, a scientific director, a general director and a director of innovation. In this position you will work intensively with the Program Developers, Principal Investigators and Research Fellows of the AMS Institute, with the partners involved in the projects and with policy makers from the Municipality of Amsterdam and MRA.