Coordinator of Operations

Within the Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science, we are looking for an enthusiastic and committed Coordinator of Operations to support the Institute itself, as well as the Soft Condensed Matter & Biophysics (SCMB) and Nanophotonics (NP) groups within the institute. You will work closely with researchers, ensuring the smooth running of operational processes.

Your job
As coordinator of operations you oversee business operations in areas such as finance, HR, communication (outreach), and facilities. You give solicited and unsolicited advice to the Debye board, and to the staff of SCMB and NP groups, with a focus on personnel and financial matters. You take an active role in discussions and you think along proactively on a strategic level. Acting as a key link within the team and with your organisational talent, you will help shape our policies and ensure their effective implementation. You are able to view matters from the perspective of the scientists you facilitate, by working with and for them.

The range of tasks of the coordinator of operations is diverse and includes activities along the lines of:

• financial management: track financial allocations, plan and monitor expenditures, prepare internal budgets and contribute to financial reports;
• research funding: coordinating the process for budgeting for research proposals in consultation with the Research Support Office;
• coordinating progress reports to, for example, NWO and the EU (experience with funding agencies in the Dutch and EU landscape is considered a plus);
• ensuring a coherent communication strategy for internal and external groups (for example websites, announcements, newsletters, outreach);
• leadership: supervising the office assistants working for the SCMB group, the NP group, and the Debye Institute.

This role is a great fit for someone who enjoys collaboration, is eager to make an impact and does not shy away from a challenge. We would also like you to bring the following:

• a University of Applied Science (HBO) degree or higher;
• experience with financial processes and managing (complex) systems;
• strong organisational and communication skills;
• proficiency in English (spoken and written) and basic Dutch language skills, or willingness to learn Dutch;
• experience in a similar role at a scientific institute and/or university is considered a plus;
• knowledge or experience in the field of nanomaterial science is considered a plus.

We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every single requirement—your motivation and willingness to grow matter. Whether you’re an experienced operations professional or if you are ready for a new challenge, we look forward to your application.

• an employment contract for 12 months with the prospect of a permanent employment contract;
• a gross monthly salary ranging between €3,378 and €5,331 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 10 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

Working at the Faculty of Science means bringing together inspiring people across disciplines and with a variety of perspectives and backgrounds. The Faculty has six departments: Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Information & Computing Sciences, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Together, we work on excellent research and inspiring education. We do so, driven by curiosity and supported by outstanding infrastructure. Visit us on LinkedIn and discover how you can become part of our community.

Five research groups from the departments of Chemistry and Physics come together in the Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science. Within the institute, the properties of materials are manipulated and studied on a nanoscale. We focus specifically on three themes: Energy Materials & Catalysts, Soft matter & Biomaterials, and Quantum Materials & Nanophotonics. Two of the research groups within the Debye Institute are the Soft Condensed Matter & Biophysics (SCMB) group and the Nanophotonics (NP) group.

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.

To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation, via the ‘apply now’ button.

If this specific opportunity isn’t for you, but you know someone else who may be interested, please forward this vacancy to them.

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