Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) is an internationally oriented university specialized in engineering, science & technology. We are known for our great scientific impact and development of technological innovations. At the heart of the university (with nine departments and four major institutes), there is a central TU/e organisation to provide innovation support services in the fields of strategic partnerships, research support and knowledge valorisation. This highly contributes to our intensive strategic cooperation with industry, development and acquisition of innovative research projects and support and guidance of high-tech start-ups and spin-offs.

Function description:

The Research Support Office (RSO) consists of a close-knit team of professionals who support the scientific staff in applying for European and national grants for research. The RSO team consists of research funding advisors, grant consultants, corporate lawyers, and project managers. TU/e wants to extend the Project Management Office (PMO) to better support our researchers when coordinating large research project.

We are looking for a professional colleague who has the ambition to both provide excellent hands-on management of several running projects and shape the future post-award project management in our university. You will get the opportunity to manage projects in and across different departments and thereby get acquainted with a broad range of research topics at TU/e.

In the management of research project, the PM works closely together with the Principal Investigator (PI), who has the overall responsibility on the project (as determined by the funding agency). Key responsibility for the PM is to ensure the project delivers on the expected results and to mitigate project risks early. To this end, the PM collaborates with several other support professionals throughout the TU/e. Typical PM tasks include monitoring progress and defining corrective actions if needed, managing required progress reporting, financial management, organizing consortium meetings, act as central contact point for internal and external stakeholders, and many more. This allows the PI focus maximally on the scientific part of the project.

Projects can originate from several funding sources, each with their own rules and regulations. This includes Regional programs such as Interreg and OP Zuid, National programs like NWO Perspectief, Gravity, NWA-ORC, and National Growth Fund, and Horizon Europe programs like MSCA and CSA / IA / RIA. The PM has regular contact with the project officer from the funder, to ensure adequate reporting on progress and alignment of possible changes in the project.

Specific responsibilities of the RSO Project Manager:

• Act as operational manager of one or more externally funded projects, together with the Principal Investigator (PI).
• Act as (daily) sparring partner of the PI, who has the responsibility for the scientific content of the project. Ensure (s)he can focus on the scientific part by unburdening him/her with operational and managerial issues.
• Keep close contact with the Project Officers from the funding agencies and consortium partners, regarding adequate and timely reporting of the project's progress.
• Prepare, organize and (co-)lead project and consortium meetings.
• Ensure the project risks for the TU/e are mitigated. Focus on managing, checking and monitoring the implementation of the project as agreed in the funding scheme and consortium / grant agreements.
• Ensure the project budget is maximally used to cover all costs and obligations, in this you work closely together with colleagues from Finance and Control.
• Coordinate the support of other (research) support staff in the field like Legal, finance, HR, Ethics, Business Development and others. As PM you are the spider in the web.
• Maintain close contact with the university's project development officers (PDO) to ensure that sufficient budget is available for PM tasks and that project commitments (including timing and deliverables) can be met when projects are developed. Furthermore, since new project proposals often arise from ongoing and previous projects and consortia, the PM should close this loop with the PDOs.

• You have an academic level of work and thought, preferably with an exact sciences background. You have experience with the merits and challenges of academic research and are familiar with the basics of project management methods (planning, monitoring, communication, coaching, etc.).  You can easily adapt to changing circumstances and are organizational sensitive.
• You are a strong communicator and skilled in conveying messages in a coaching style while maintaining a good relationship. You have extensive experience and affinity with supporting and motivating research professionals.
• You are acquainted with academic research funding programs in general and know about the reporting challenges that can come with them.
• You like to work in an international context, cooperating with many project partners from diverse backgrounds (such as academia from other countries, SME and multinational companies, governments and others).
• You like to work in an independent and proactive manner, have a supportive mindset. You find your way in balancing the wishes and needs of the researchers with the demands of the funder.
• You have excellent written and oral command of the English language. You are well versed in a digital working environment. International cooperation has no secrets for you.

We offer you a position within a dynamic university with a strong focus on new forms of cooperation, both nationally and internationally. The function also offers a high degree of variety and independence within the team (including possibilities for working from home whenever appropriate). This vacancy concerns a full-time or 80% position (with an availability of at least 32 hours, preferably more).

Our university offers:

• Working at an inspiring campus where we work for the benefit of humanity and where you have plenty of room for personal development and growth (incl. training possibilities).
• Renumeration in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement of the Dutch Universities and depending on education and work experience, salary scale 11 or 12, depending on training, knowledge, and experience. (Salary in scale 11 is min. 3.746,- and max. € 5.127,-; salary in scale 12 is min. € 4.538,- and max. € 5.826,- (CAO-NU).
• A one-year contract, with the prospect of a permanent position.  
• An attractive package of fringe benefits, including excellent work facilities, extra holiday allowance 8% in May, end-of-year bonus of 8.3% in December and 41 holidays per year (in case of full-time appointment).

Depending on the CV and work experience, an appointment via EUFLEX (secondment office of the TU/e) is one of the possibilities. An assessment can be part of the application process.