At the VU Amsterdam we want the knowledge generated by our research and education to have a social and/or economic impact. As a result, collaboration with external public and private parties often takes place.

At IXA-GO, the knowledge transfer and grants office of VU Amsterdam, we support researchers to create impact with their research. Our team identifies grant opportunities, supports researchers to build a business case for a new start-up and introduces them to the right network. If an innovation requires it, we also offer support in IP protection and provide information on further funding opportunities.

Within our team, which is based at the dynamic VU Campus, we are looking for a Programme Manager Public Private Partnerships.

Your duties
As a Programme Manager Public Private Partnerships, you will be responsible for building and managing collaborative partnerships between our researchers, companies, other knowledge institutes and societal actors.

In The Netherlands the collaboration between knowledge institutes, companies and societal actors is strongly encouraged and organised and facilitated via e.g. the Topsectoren which each have their domain specific ‘knowledge & Innovation agenda’. The Topsectoren offer important networks, the Topconsortia voor Kennis en Innovatie (TKI’s), in which our researchers are active and support from a Programme Manager is required in order to utilise the relevant opportunities for collaboration.

You will…

• Explore collaboration opportunities for the researchers of VU Amsterdam and thanks to your network and experience, you know how to guide the researchers in the steps towards Public Private Partnerships (PPP)
• Facilitate external collaboration (PPP) of researchers and support in involving non-academic partners in consortia
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including academics, industry and public partners, and potential funding bodies
• Support the development of complex partnerships, including negotiating collaboration agreements (in close collaboration with our legal officers) and managing project administration and delivery
• Liaise with the management of the faculties and the different relevant institutes concerning the research strategy of the faculty
• Stay up to date with relevant developments in the field of among others the Topsectoren, monitor market trends and developments in the field and identify opportunities for VU Amsterdam to innovate and create social and economic impact.

• Have a Master/PhD in a relevant field and/or a MBA
• Have a proven experience with Public Private Partnerships
• Have several years of relevant working experience in project management and/or business development
• Are familiar with public procurement, state aid and IP procedures
• Are hands-on, with a strong ability to take ownership of projects and see them through to completion
• Are willing to learn and adapt to new situations, with a growth mindset and a desire to continue developing professionally
• Are pro-active, entrepreneurial and you have a service mentality
• Act as a natural connector between research, business and public organisations
• Have an excellent knowledge of Dutch and English in writing in speech and writing.

IXA-GO offers you a challenging position within a professional and motivated team for an initial period of one year. An extension of your employment contract is possible subject to good performance.

On full-time basis the remuneration amounts to a minimum gross monthly salary of €4,332 (scale 11) and a maximum €6,737 (scale 12), depending on your education and experience. The job profile is based on the university ranking system (UFO) of Knowledge Valorisation Officer (2/3) and is open for at least 0,8 fte.

Additionally, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers excellent fringe benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work/life balance, such as:

• a maximum of 41 days of annual leave based on full-time employment
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge
• space for personal development
• hybrid working enables a good work-life balance

And most importantly, due to the very nature of your work, you are involved in many different smart innovations that help society move forwards, you will develop yourself at a phenomenal rate and strengthen your network.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

The ambition of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is clear: to contribute to a better world through outstanding education and ground-breaking research. We strive to be a university where personal development and commitment to society play a leading role. A university where people from different disciplines and backgrounds collaborate to achieve innovations and to generate new knowledge. Our teaching and research encompass the entire spectrum of academic endeavor – from the humanities, the social sciences and the natural sciences through to the life sciences and the medical sciences.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is home to more than 31,000 students. We employ over 5,000 individuals. The VU campus is easily accessible and located in the heart of Amsterdam’s Zuidas district, a truly inspiring environment for teaching and research.

Diversity
We are an inclusive university community. Diversity is one of our most important values. We believe that engaging in international activities and welcoming students and staff from a wide variety of backgrounds enhances the quality of our education and research. We are always looking for people who can enrich our world with their own unique perspectives and experiences.

Institutional Affairs
The Administration Office provides strategic advice and integrated support to the Executive Board (CvB, idem) of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Moreover, we work closely with university faculties and the other VU service departments to implement the administrative agenda and to set institutional strategy. We are responsible for providing legal advice, setting the university’s research policy and for Public Affairs. We provide process-based support for policy and decision-making, and we are closely involved in a number of strategic dossiers. The Administration Office also promotes university-wide governance, control and compliance, and we are responsible for PhD defence ceremonies, professorial appointments and other academic functions.

Working at the Administration Office means being involved in the day-to-day management, strategy and policy of our university, together with an extensive network of internal and external stakeholders. We employ 66 individuals (59 FTE) in the departments of Policy and Administrative Support, Administrative and Legal Affairs, Secretarial Support, and Document Management and Archive.
At VU IXA-GO we support researchers at the VU in the process of acquiring external funding for their research, protecting and utilising the results of the research, up to the launch of a successful spin-off company. With our expertise, open mindedness, enterprising spirit and multidisciplinary approach, we work on developing sustainable solutions that impact society. Our growing team consists of Grants Officers, Business Developers, a Marketing & Communication team and we have set up the Biotech Booster Project Office based at the VU Starthub.

VU IXA-GO is part of the Pan-Amsterdam collaboration IXA, which is the Knowledge Transfer Office of VU Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, the University of Amsterdam and the Amsterdam University of Applied Science (https://www.ixa.nl).

Enthusiastic?
Then we kindly invite you to apply for this position via the application button and upload your curriculum vitae and cover letter by 22 November 2023. The job interviews are planned for early December, when possible please take that into account when applying for the position.

Applications received by e-mail will not be processed.