Project Development Officer (0.5-0.6 fte)

Job description

The electro-optical communications (ECO) group in the faculty of electrical engineering has been leading the scientific and applied research into the use of light for communication systems for more than 40 years, in the Netherlands, Europe and the world. With deep connection with industry and academia around the globe, the ECO group offers new members an opportunity to become the next leaders in optical communications and networks research including both classical and quantum technologies. The core competence of the ECO staff members is making the link between different technologies and different requirements being raised by the industry. We apply the knowledge gained by collaborators and other scientists in the TU/e and more recently in the Eindhoven Hendrik Casimir Institute (EHCI) to develop the required solution for many of the most burning problems in classical and quantum communication. For that sake, the group includes expertise spanning the fundamentals of photonic integrated circuits (PICs) design and manufacturing to the higher layers of communication networks including quantum communications and Terahertz systems.

The ECO group is housed in the FLUX building on the TU/e Campus overlooking a state-of-the-art cleanroom and supported by more than 300m^2 of labs for conducting experimental work. With 11 tenured scientists and as many as 70 PhD and PostDocs the ECO group is a vibrant and exciting research group perfectly suited to embed talented and ambitious scientists.

The group has successfully increased it research portfolio with the recently granted projects- withing Horizon Europe NWO, and furthermore the continuation of Growth fund projects line KAT2 project of the Quantum Delta Netherlands. Therefore, we are looking for a Project Development Officer for immediate incorporation. The candidate is expected to have experience in project support for research and/or technical projects, especially in the framework of the European Commission HE or past Horizo2020 or have affinity and willingness to learn it quickly. Knowledge of EU funding financial rules, organizational, communication and negotiation skills, and excellent English are a pre-requisite.

As a Project Development Officer, you will be responsible for supporting the principal investigator and become the first point of contact with the external projects’ partners and stakeholders as well as within the TU/e organization.

Responsibilities:

• Administrative support to the principal investigators (PIs) – the senior researchers and academics who are responsible for individual research projects – enabling them to focus on the technical and strategic aspects of their research.
• Administrative leadership for a portfolio of EU and National project activities and additionally providing group level portfolio overviews with activities spanning academic research and valorisation.
• Legal and financial management for new collaborations, proposals and projects, ensuring the timely completion and delivery of contracts.
• Administrative trouble-shooting, providing a single point of contact for PIs in need of support with research administration and finding remedies for unexpected events by providing and executing full-scope solutions.
• Protocol development and management for repetitive work processes by supporting and improving administrative systems for group-level information management.
• Supports the leadership with smooth running of management meetings.
• Financial planning and reporting support, pro-actively identifying risks and solutions together with financial controllers and principle investigators.
•  Responsible for timely reporting on a small number of selected projects. This includes compiling and editing project reports, checking financial reports, and ensuring the timely completion of reporting. 
• Networking within the university administration to disseminate group strategy with key university stakeholders, working groups, institutes and faculties, engaging principal investigators whenever specialist subject knowledge is required. 

Job requirements

• Experience in project assistant/management of complex or international projects
• Expertise in photonics, telecommunications and/or engineering is not an advantage: Curiosity and enthusiasm for the research topics of group members is a must.
• A good level of English and Dutch (spoken and written)
• Pro-active attitude
• Legally aware, able to prepare the groundwork for multiparty agreements without obvious precedents and proactively and efficiently navigate legal processes.
• Ability to analyse and re-optimise administrative interfaces from the researcher perspective.
• Active listener able to develop good working relations with academics, senior researchers and administrative support.
• Analytical skills.
• High degree of organizational sensitivity and environmental awareness.
• High level of efficiency and excellent social skills.
• Enjoys working in an international multicultural environment.

Conditions of employment

An exciting position within an international yet personal university. You are right in the middle of the students, on a green campus within walking distance of the central station. Besides beautiful architecture, you will find varied workplaces and excellent sports facilities. We also offer you:

• An appointment of 0.5-0.6 FTE for the period of one year with a view to permanent employment with good performance and equal financial circumstances.
• The salary is depending on education and experience in scale 11 with possibility for future growth and further development, or scale 12 with proven and relevant work experience and seniority. The salary range for scale 11 is  € 4.537,- to € 6.209,- gross per month based on full-time employment.
• In addition to vacation pay, a structural end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.
• A favorable arrangement for more holidays or a sabbatical.
• A selection model for additional fringe benefits.
• Working hours in consultation for an optimal work-life balance.
• Scope for your talent with advancement prospects and excellent development opportunities such as mentoring, workshops and coaching.
• Partially paid parental leave and reimbursement for commuting expenses, working from home and the internet.
• A generous employer contribution to the favorable ABP pension plan.

Here you can discover even more information about our conditions of employment. Build on your career at TU/e!

Information and application

About TU/e

TU/e is a leading international university that educates engineers of the future and pushes the boundaries of science and technology for a better world. An international community of over 7,000 employees and more than 13,000 students work and study on the vibrant and inspiring campus.

More information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to have more information about the position, please contact the hiring managers prof.dr.ir Idelfonso Tafur Monroy (i.tafur.monroy@tue.nl)  and/or Dr. Chigo Okonkwo (cokonkwo@tue.nl).

For questions about the application process or the conditions of employment, please contact HR Services, hrservices.flux@tue.nl.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application

If you are interested, please use the ‘apply’ button to send us your CV and letter of application with your motivation and a description of your qualifications.

Screening of candidates begins as soon as applications are received and continues until the position is filled. Where applicable, internal candidates will be given priority over external candidates where they are equally suitable.

We look forward to receiving your application!