Position Overview:

TU/e innovation Space and Eindhoven Institute of Renewable Energy Systems (EIRES) seek a Boundary Spanner for Renewable Energy Systems. This unique position is central to our mission of bridging the gap between the transformative educational approaches of Challenge-Based Learning (CBL) and cutting-edge research in renewable energy. The Boundary Spanner will support interdisciplinary teams, engage in strategic partnerships, and drive innovation in renewable energy education and research. This position requires a balance of technical knowledge, strategic insight, and collaborative skills to transform educational and research outcomes in renewable energy.

Role Description:

As the Boundary Spanner at TU/e innovation Space and EIRES, you will be a real connector, taking initiative in formulating and facilitating research and education challenges based on insights from the field. Your role includes acquiring research assignments, disseminating knowledge, and supporting inter/multidisciplinary teams, considering the advantages and barriers of all parties. Participation in strategic consultations and responsibility for funding challenges are also key. You will maintain awareness of actualities in the professional, research, and TU/e student team domains, leveraging this to create meaningful connections. This role involves collaboration with various parties both within and outside TU/e, on large and complex projects.

1. Facilitating Integration: Develop and implement strategies to align CBL methodologies from TU/e innovation Space with EIRES's pioneering research, aligning hands-on education and theoretical innovation.
2. Collaborative Project Development: Stimulate and support collaborative projects that integrate the expertise of students, researchers, and industry partners, leading to groundbreaking advancements in renewable energy learning and research.
3. Building Community: Develop and strengthen multidisciplinary community that enhances collaboration and innovation by fostering a dynamic exchange of knowledge and resources.
4. Promoting Entrepreneurial Learning: Drive entrepreneurial thinking within the academic and research community, steering the development of sustainable energy solutions from groundbreaking ideas. Enhance this by identifying entrepreneurial (student) engineers and connect them to The Gate.
5. Mentorship and Leadership: Provide guidance and mentorship, enabling the translation of academic concepts into impactful real-world applications.

Thematic cross-over hub

EIRES is one of the institutes involved in a new experimentation hub for high-tech learning and application development at TU/e. This hub (a.k.a. The Gaslab Project, named after it's location on the TU/e campus) fosters collaboration within cross-over themes, connecting diverse technologies across participating institutes. With the vision of being an inspiring collaborative space, it brings together students, researchers, visitors, and external partners to innovate in high-tech application development. In this hub, curiosity is the driving force, enabling everyone in the ecosystem to explore the potential of new technology and its applications through hands-on experimentation. The essence lies in sparking unconventional collaborations and showcasing demonstrations, creating a unique experience that builds bridges between scientific challenges and practical solutions.

The activities of the boundary spanner in the development of this experimentation hub for high-tech learning and application development includes:

• Identifying suitable showcases for the hub.
• Improving the hub's visibility.
• Attracting events and visits to draw in visitors.
• Contributing to the development of cross-over themes between institutes.
• Facilitating connections between internal and external partners for cross-over challenges in CBL courses.

Position in the organization

Your formal position will land within TU/e innovation Space, as a member of the Cluster Business Collaboration. You will report to dr. Nathalie Kerstens (Cluster Lead Business Collaboration) and functionally to dr. Mark Boneschanscher, managing director of EIRES. The content of your activities will bring you everywhere in the communities of EIRES and TU/e innovation Space.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Proven experience in the valorisation of knowledge, particularly in (sustainable) energy/chemistry, transforming academic insights into practical, market-relevant applications.
• Affiliation with education innovation (e.g. CBL) and passion for facilitating students Affiliation with applications in the area of renewable energy.
• Strong networking and partnership development skills.

Additional Attributes:

• Passion for connecting education and research to foster innovation.
• Ability to motivate and guide students and researchers towards collaborative ventures.
• Expertise in organizing and promoting events that facilitate knowledge exchange.

We offer you a meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• 0,8 to 1,0 fte employment for initially 1 year with perspective on a permanent position.
• Salary following the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale 12 (min. € 5.247, max. € 6.737). UFO: Managing Coordinator.
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs on general skills, didactics and topics related to research and valorization.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• Partially paid parental leave and an allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team is available for international candidates, as are a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) and compensation for moving expenses.