Senior Strategy and Policy Advisor

Join us and shape the quantum devices of tomorrow!

Job description
Quantum Internet Alliance (QIA)’s mission is to build a global Quantum Internet by developing a full stack prototype quantum internet network that validates all key subsystems. As a pioneering community dedicated to advancing a groundbreaking technology, QIA combines world-class research with ecosystem building and policy engagement to position Europe at the forefront of quantum networking. QIA’s ambition extends beyond scientific leadership. The aim is to build an innovative European Quantum Internet ecosystem, capable of scaling all sub-systems to achieve world-leading European technology. In this regard QIA has launched the world’s first global quantum internet technology forum (QIATF) and is expanding its ecosystem further. Find out more about QIA at https://quantuminternetalliance.org/.

As Senior Strategy & Policy Advisor, you will play a central strategic advisory role, working closely with the QIA Director and senior decision-makers to shape and advance QIA’s long-term vision for the quantum internet in Europe. The role sits at the intersection of quantum R&D, European industrial and digital policy, economic security, and ecosystem development, with a clear mandate to translate Europe’s technological leadership into economic competitiveness, digital sovereignty, and global influence. As the Advisor, you will support the delivery of a “Global Quantum Internet Made in Europe” by aligning QIA’s Quantum Internet Initiative (QI²) with broader EU strategic frameworks such as the Digital Decade, industrial policy, open strategic autonomy, and relevant defence and security dimensions, while leading high-level policy engagement, anticipating future funding and programme developments, and positioning QIA as a recognised strategic actor with external visibility within the evolving European and global quantum ecosystem. In this role, you will work with a high degree of autonomy and influence, in close proximity to the QIA Director, senior governance structures, and external decision-makers, shaping European quantum internet strategy at senior political, institutional, and ecosystem levels.


IMPORTANT: In this role, you will need to be in Brussels at the EU Commission for most of your work. Therefore, living close to Brussels is preferred. You can come to QuTech once a week or every two weeks.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a strategic advisor to the QIA Director, providing policy analysis and strategic advice on QI² positioning, priorities, and long-term direction.
• Support and shape high-level engagement with political, institutional, and funding stakeholders at national, European, and international levels, including EU institutions, Member States, and international partners.
• Prepare executive-level strategic plans, policy papers, and briefing materials to inform internal decision-making and support senior-level external engagement.
• Position QIA/QI² within the broader European policy landscape, advising on policies that support European quantum internet leadership across the value chain, with particular focus on software, platforms, open infrastructures, and standardisation.
• Contribute to ecosystem and industry engagement strategies, including interaction with industry players, scale-ups, infrastructure providers, and standardisation bodies, to help translate R&D leadership into market uptake and economic impact.
• Monitor, analyse, and anticipate EU and national funding and programme developments (e.g. Horizon Europe, Digital Europe, defence-related instruments, future FP10), and support proactive positioning and influence for future calls and initiatives, beyond the management of current programmes.
• Work closely with innovation and technical teams to strategically translate between technology developments and policy priorities, ensuring coherence between research, ecosystem building, and policy positioning (without responsibility for technical oversight).
• Act as a key liaison between QIA/QI² and the wider policy and governance ecosystem, preparing briefings and follow-up actions for senior-level meetings

Qualifications

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Public Policy, Political Science, International Relations, Management, or a related field.
• At least 6 years of experience in senior strategic policy advisory, programme coordination, or strategic project management roles within research, innovation, or policy-driven environments.
• Proven experience with EU and/or national public funding instruments and programmes, including Horizon Europe and related initiatives; experience with EU-funded projects is a requirement.
• Strong understanding of European policy-making processes, institutional dynamics, and governance frameworks, with the ability to operate credibly at senior political and institutional levels.
• Experience working in large-scale, multi-actor, multidisciplinary R&D or innovation initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to operate independently and with discretion, managing sensitive information and providing trusted advice at senior level. • Excellent stakeholder engagement, networking, and relationship-building skills, including interaction with political, governmental, or funding institutions.
• Strong organisational and coordination skills, with the ability to connect technology, policy, industry, and innovation perspectives.
• Sufficient technical understanding of deep-tech and digital infrastructure domains (e.g. quantum technologies, advanced communications) to engage credibly with technical leaders, while maintaining a primary focus on strategic translation between technology and policy rather than technical execution.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; proficiency in Dutch is a strong plus.

TU Delft
Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

QuTech
QuTech is a mission-driven research institute of TU Delft. Together we are working on a radical new technology with world-changing potential. We are developing scalable prototypes of a quantum computer and a secure quantum internet.

We believe quantum technology will be a game changer in many social and economic sectors - including health, agriculture, climate, and security. To achieve our ambitious goals, we bring scientists, engineers, and industry together in an inspiring environment, with plenty of room for ambition, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

Have a look at our video and get a glimpse of QuTech.

Conditions of employment

• Duration of contract is 1 year Temporarily with a posibility for extension
• A job of 38-40 hours per week.
• A salary based on Scale 13 of the CAO for Dutch Universities with a salary between €6512 - €7904 gross per month based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.
• An excellent pension scheme via the ABP.
• The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year.
• Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages.
• Flexible working week.
• Every year, 232 leave hours (at 38 hours). You can also sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget.
• Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses.
• Partially paid parental leave
• Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.

Additional information
Additional information For more information about this position, you can contact Nico Seidler, Projet Manager at QIA at N.S.Seidler@tudelft.nl.
For questions concerning the procedure please contact Audrey Monje, Senior Talent Acquisition at QuTech at A.monje@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 29 March 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV
• Motivational letter

You can address your application to Stephanie Wehner, Full Professor.

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. The assessment is based on information provided by the candidates themselves, such as their motivation letter and CV, and takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed. The processing of personal data in the context of the risk assessment is carried out on the legal basis of the GDPR: performing a public task in the public interest. You can find more information about this assessment on our website about knowledge security.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.