Grants Advisor

The Grants Advisor will work with VU Amsterdam researchers from all faculties on developing competitive project proposals for national and European funding programmes, with a focus on consortium grants.

As a Grants Advisor, you will guide researchers in structuring persuasive, competitive research proposals that align with funder and institutional priorities and in managing the development of complex, interdisciplinary, and multi-partner submissions. Depending on the project’s nature, you will work both independently and in a matrix team of grant advisors, programme managers, and project controllers. You will also deliver targeted communications and information sessions to keep researchers informed about relevant funding calls, deadlines, and strategic opportunities.

Your tasks

• Advice VU researchers on national and European grant applications, both individual and collaborative.
• Identify and promote funding schemes that align with VU and faculty strategies.
• Organize and deliver information sessions and workshops about funding schemes and procedures tailored to different disciplines or career stages.
• Work closely with grant advisors, business and impact developers, and programme managers at IXA-GO to deliver coordinated support for targeted funding programmes and calls.
• Collaborate with other VU support units (Project Control, Legal, Faculty research support offices, University Library, etc.) to ensure integrated support across the entire funding application process.
• Build and maintain deep expertise on national and European research funding landscape, current research activities at VU and funder priorities.
• Monitor project performance, identify bottlenecks and propose improvements.
• Contribute to team development by supporting and mentoring colleagues.

• Master or PhD degree, preferably in life sciences & health or in a discipline related to sustainability & climate or societal justice.
• Proven experience with the Dutch and European funding landscape, especially with collaborative grants.
• Understanding of academic research culture and the organizational context of a university, including governance structures and regulations.
• Excellent communication and advisory skills in English and Dutch (professional working proficiency or higher)
• Knowledge of the different stages of proposal development.
• Service-oriented mindset with the ability to anticipate researcher needs and support them in collaborating with non-academic partners.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative working environment.

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

• a salary of minimum € 4.728,00 (Scale 11) and maximum € 6.433,00 (Scale 11) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Knowledge Valorisation Officer 3. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
• a position for at least 0.8 FTE. Your employment contract will initially last 1 year, with the possibility of changing it to a permanent position after 12 months, subject to good performance.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

• A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• space for personal development, including through membership to professional associations such as ARMA-NL and EARMA
• the possibility to work partly from home
• possibility to save holiday hours, for sabbatical leave

IXA-GO (Innovation Exchange Amsterdam - Grants Office)
At IXA-GO, the knowledge transfer and grants office of VU Amsterdam, we help researchers turn knowledge into impact. Our team identifies funding opportunities, supports researchers in building a strong proposal, and if relevant introduces them to the right network and consortia. If an innovation requires it, we also offer support with IP protection and provide guidance on the various valorisation routes and opportunities. Our team includes grants officers, business and impact developers, programme managers, and communication specialists.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.

Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.

Are you interested in this position and do you believe that your experience will contribute to the excellence of our services? In that case, we encourage you to submit your application, even if you don't meet all requirements. This position will accept applications until 8 March 2026 23:59. First round of interviews will be held on the week of 16 March 2026. Second round of interviews including an assignment will be held on the week of 23 March 2026.

Submitting a diploma, a reference check and possibly an assessment are part of the application procedure.

Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.

Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.