Eindhoven University of Technology - Where innovation starts and people matter

Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) is a research university specializing in engineering science & technology. Our education, research and knowledge valorization contribute to: 

Science for society: solving the major societal issues and boosting prosperity and welfare by focusing on the Strategic Areas of Energy, Health and Smart Mobility

Science for industry: the development of technological innovation in cooperation with industry

Science for science: progress in engineering sciences through excellence in key research cores and innovation in education 

We see it as our duty to train engineers to possess a sound scientific basis and scientific depth. They also have the necessary skills to successfully flourish in social sectors and functions. With a view to the future, TU/e has begun a major educational reform. The Bachelor's and Master's programs remain but are being incorporated in a Bachelor College and Graduate School respectively. Students will be given more freedom and can even choose to follow a broad-based program with society-oriented subjects or opt for a very specialized science program. With advanced quality research, the university contributes to the progress of technical sciences and thus the development of technological innovations. 

We focus on areas in which we participate in the international scientific community. This can play an important role. The TU/e wants to give significant impetus to the knowledge-intensive industries and other social sectors with a high or rapidly evolving technology-intensity. The TU/e puts emphasis on knowledge valorisation: research results are translated into successful innovations and serve as a basis for creating new products, processes and enterprises. We encourage students and staff to opt for entrepreneurship. 

With this profile, the TU/e profiles itself as a leading, international, in engineering science & technology specialized university. We offer excellent teaching and research and thereby contribute to the advancement of technical sciences and research to the developing of technological innovations and the growth of wealth and prosperity both in its own region (technology & innovation hotspot Eindhoven) and beyond. In short, the TU/e profiles itself as the university where innovation starts'. 

 

Future Everyday is a 35-strong research cluster in the faculty of Industrial Design. Future Everyday aims at bridging the gap between emerging technologies and people's everyday life: how to deal with uncertainties that come naturally with new and still evolving technologies, and how to translate them into meaningful products, systems and services that seamlessly blend into everyday life.  

The cluster Future Everyday conducts research to understand, explore, and shape the everyday life of individuals and small groups. This encompasses the new reality of living, commuting, and working, with routines, rituals, and many nuances, in spaces that are becoming more continuous, dynamic, experiential, and responsive in the future with emerging technologies. We design and analyze the touch-points where humans and technologies meet and extend into each other - the permeable membrane between a system of technologies and a system of people. In the cluster Future Everyday, we aim to be in the forefront of experimenting with emerging technologies such as theinternet of things, wearables and soft things, additive manufacturing, small and local data, artificial intelligence and machine learning, smart materials and bio- materials.  

Aligning with the focus areas of TU/e and the EuroTech universities, we focus on the contexts of the Smart Home, Mobility, and Workplace, Health and Wellbeing, and Energy and Sustainability. To enable innovation and to achieve impact, we also conduct research on design management, corporate innovation strategies and design entrepreneurship. We have strong collaborations with enterprises such as Philips, IKEA, NXP, Océ, Toyota, SMEs, hospitals, research institutes as well as design studios such as VanBerlo Studios and Philips Design.  

 

The project officer will be responsible for supporting, in a broad sense the development of the research program in FE by supporting project acquisition and coordination, developing research roadmaps and networks.  The project officer will be placed within the Faculty of Industrial Design, but will also work together with the TU-wide Innovation Lab, where he or she will form a group with other project officers to exchange experiences and build up knowledge.  

It is important that the project officer plays a group-wide role, which includes both strategic planning and actual support for project applications concerning the acquisition of income from NWO calls and other research funds. 

The function will include, among other things, the following tasks:

Supporting the research group to develop a strategic roadmap. This is motivated by internal expertise and potential as well as by an analysis of what is expected from developments in funding programmes in the coming years. Where necessary, external experts (such as prominent scientists) may be involved as advisors, or in the context of strategic workshops.

Tracking and actively searching suitable opportunities for research funding, providing tailored information to scientists about calls that fit their expertise, and proactively initiating proposals together with scientists.

Actively supporting scientists in writing research proposals, at various levels (advising, reviewing, and where possible 'co-writing' sections on subjects such as finance, research relevance and exploitation).

Where appropriate, the implementation of project management in the case of successfully acquired projects.

Managing the portfolio of projects (keeping track of all subsidy applications and evaluating their outcome in order to inform future bids.

Building and maintaining networks with (1) potential research partners/consortia, (2) funding institutions, (3) scientists within the faculty and (4) scientists within the TU/e.

Participation in national and international meetings about research programmes; general (interest) representation of our university on this subject at, among others, the NWO, the national science agenda, etc.

In addition to the organisational embedding in the faculty, it is also part of the Innovation Lab, and within that context it builds up knowledge and experience together.

Regular meetings (e.g. monthly) with the group leaders concerned to discuss the state of affairs, develop new activities, etc.

To fill this position, we are looking for a candidate with:

Affinity with the research programme (in-depth knowledge is not a strict requirement, however; it is also contributed by the scientists at the faculty),

Some years' professional experience, for example in industry, a research consultancy, a research institute or a university,

Experience in writing (successful) project applications,

Experience in research and innovation project management will be highly valued

Knowledge of the formal/administrative elements of calls and programmes, Knowledge of the programmes of relevant Dutch (NWO, RFO, STW) and European funding agencies,

Excellent writing skills,

Team spirit, proactive and enthusiastic attitude, and a network.

Someone who is not afraid of failure, but learns from it.

This is a temporary job of two years for 0.6 - 1.0 FTEs. Depending on the study programme and experience, the maximum salary is € 4,757 (scale 11) for a large degree of seniority, a salary of a maximum of € 5,405 (scale 12) is possible during full-time employment. This is exclusive of 8% holiday pay and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. In addition to an attractive salary, the TU/e has excellent fringe benefits such as training and development opportunities and excellent sports facilities. The employment conditions selection model offers flexibility in terms of working time and leave, among other things.