Hybrid Innovation Officer Manufacturing, Transportation and Twin Transition (Zwijnaarde, 9052) bei Ghent University

ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY

Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 15,000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, as well as technical and social service provision on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities. With its 11 faculties and more than 80 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.

Ghent University is seeking a motivated staff member to support the commercialization of innovative technologies within the domain of Manufacturing, Transportation and Twin Transition. Your role will consist of supporting the set up industrial cooperations in an international context with a strong local anchoring.
Ghent University is committed to stimulating the commercialization of innovative knowledge and technology. For its liaison with industry, Ghent University has a network of specialized business development centers, funded by the Industrial Research Fund (IOF) and backed by a central Technology Transfer Office.
The business development centers group research teams by application domain or research expertise and are headed by a Business Developer. Key activities of the Business Developer include setting-up industrial partnerships, building patent portfolios for license purposes and creating spin-off companies. Due to the success of this business model, Ghent University is looking for Innovation Officers to support the further development of the business development centers (Metals, DuraBUILDmaterials, EnerGhentIC and Machineries & Factories) within several research areas.
The Innovation Officer will more specifically be active in the area of Manufacturing, Transportation and Twin Transition.

YOUR TASKS

•     The Innovation Officer will have a key role in shaping application-oriented research collaboration with industry and acquiring funding for innovative technologies that could have major economical and societal impact. These projects will allow to bring these technologies to a level (proof-of-concept, pilot, demonstration, …) at which they can be transferred to industry, or will support industry in their innovations e.g., leveraging our internationally relevant infrastructure.
•    As an Innovation Officer, you will:
-    Analyze the impact potential of innovative technologies and internationally relevant testing infrastructure at UGent within the business development centers. Screen the competitive landscape of innovative technologies and infrastructure by performing literature studies, patent screenings and/or market analysis within the business development centers.
-    Coordinate the process of compiling project funding proposals in close collaboration with the scientists and the Business Developers. You will actively contribute to the grant writing of innovative research projects that are centered on industrial collaboration, with a focus on the path to market, the socio-economic impact and the fit with the project call.
-    Proactively identify and network with strategic partners and industry partners in view of shaping the application oriented collaborations.
-    Be pro-active to the participating Business Development clusters with regard to new opportunities for innovation, identify appropriate funding channels and inform scientists on specific project calls, both on a local and international level to allow to strengthen the cooperation with (Flemish) companies.
-     Follow up the project portfolio w.r.t. reporting of deliverables and tangible results with the explicit goal to identify follow up initiatives with companies.
-     Have close collaborations with Ghent University’s Tech Transfer Office and EU-granting office in order to provide maximal support in the process of acquiring innovation projects for the scientist involved.
On the longer term, this position will enable you to build an extensive network of academic and business partners in a number of research areas; to obtain a deep understanding of the challenges in the research area and get insights in the value chain of the corresponding industries and markets.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Background:
· Holds an engineering or scientific degree, preferably with a PhD that included interactions with industry and/or min 3 years of industrial experience. Preferably our candidate has a strong background in electromechanics, materials, physics, ….
Expertise:
· Experience in initiating and setting up initiatives in an industrial-academic collaboration setting.
· Proficient project writing skills in both Dutch and English (preferably innovative research projects)
· Basic knowledge of aspects of business development/valorization, such as IP/patents and contractual arrangements can be an important asset.
· Affinity with the industrial world and experience with industrial-academic collaboration.
· Initial experience with European networks is a plus.
Characteristics:
· Entrepreneurial mindset, diplomatic and result-oriented.
· Excellent communication skills and team player
· Well-organized, being able to work accurately and to meet deadlines
· Inspiring, proactive, and service-oriented.
· Special interest in applied research and in the maturation of technologies towards industrial applications/products
· Feeling with servicing high-end testing infrastructure to a wider group of stakeholders
· A strategic networker who thrives in a complex environment with many stakeholders.
· A generalist who can distill the essence from complex information streams and quickly immerse in new subjects.
Location: Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde, 9052 Zwijnaarde.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

•    We offer you a contract of indefinite duration.
•    Your contract will start as soon as possible.
•    Your remuneration will be determined by salary scale WM1 to WM4 (if you hold a Master’s degree) or salary scale PD1 to PD4 (if you hold a doctorate).  Click here for more information about our salary scales.
•    All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, a bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits.
•    We offer you solid career prospects in the context of a stimulating employment status, which will largely depend on your knowledge and experience.

INTERESTED?

Apply online through the e-recruitment system before the application deadline (see above). We do not accept late applications or applications that are not submitted through the online system.

Applications for this position should be written in English and include:

•    In the field ‘CV’: your CV and a transcript of your academic record (merged into one pdf file) - A 1-2 page CV, summarizing your career, and contact information for three referees
•    In the field ‘Cover letter’: your application letter in pdf format - A 1-page cover letter
•    In the field ‘Diploma’: a transcript of the required degree (if already in your possession). If you have a foreign diploma in a language other than our national languages (Dutch, French or German) or English, please add a translation in one of the mentioned languages.

Note that the maximum file size for each field is 10 MB.

As Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy, everyone is encouraged to apply for this position.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information on IOF innovation officers at UGent, you can contact [email protected] and visit: https://techtransfer.ugent.be/en/about/industrial-liaison-network
For more information on the specifics of this vacancy, please contact Jeroen De Maeyer, +32 471 58 88 32 or via [email protected]
Important: do NOT send your application by email, but apply online.

Do you have a question regarding the online application process? Please read the FAQ or contact us via [email protected] or +32 9 264 34 36