Project Manager of Economics

We are searching for an excellent project manager in the newly defined multidisciplinary field of Urban-Rural Interactions in a Circular Economy (URC). You have knowledge of the transition process towards a more circular economy and society and affinity with multi- and transdisciplinary research. Acting as a driving force in further developing our URC theme, you will support our researchers in articulating innovative project ideas and help them in building up and strengthening a strong network within our EWUU alliance home institutes, and bridging this to relevant societal partners. On top of this, you are determined in tracking and stimulating actual progress in terms of deliverables and impact of our URC theme, hereby contributing to the visibility and appreciation of the work of all staff and partners involved. Inherent part of your work is the continuous spotting of opportunities for external research funding or business contracts, bringing this to life in actual development of consortia and research proposals wherein EWUU researchers participate.

• Drawing up (parts of) URC research lines, addressing regional circular water management, the agrotransition and digital twinning/serious gaming;
• Further identifying and connecting researchers of all four EWUU institutions who might contribute to these research lines;
• Initiating and managing joint platform activities, such as workshops, sandpit sessions, symposia and conferences;
• Initiating and managing internal seed funding calls that EWUU provides as to spark new cross disciplinary cooperations and community building within our home institutes;
• Exploring new research ideas and supporting researchers in clearly articulating research questions, approaches, solutions and impact in project proposals or business contracts;
• Identifying promising funding opportunities and specific calls for proposals - both national and international. The project manager scouts for possibilities in relevant (NL and EU) networks (Public Private Partnerships, Associations and thematic working groups) related to the transition to a circular economy and more specific to the URC theme;
• Consortium formation connecting EWUU researchers as well as public and private partners outside EWUU to respond to such calls;
• Managing the proposal development process of (typically) complex multi- or transdisciplinary projects, in good cooperation with researchers involved, aligning this with relevant decentralized departmental support staff within our home institutes;
• Contributing to the building of longer-lasting communities and partnerships that will form a basis for applying to specific calls for proposals; 
• Bringing the activities and outcomes of URC to the attention of the academic community and societal parties.

• A MSc or PhD degree level in a relevant field (e.g. sustainable transition processes, circular economy);
• A deep understanding of thematic programmes and relevant rules and regulations of both the national and European funding landscape and the ability to match the opportunities to the expertise and research interests of researchers of the EWUU partners;
• A proven track record in defining and attracting innovative research projects and funding in national or international consortia;
• Over 2 years of comparable work experience, working for industry, a research institute or an academic or applied science university;
• Excellent networking skills with a demonstrable external network in sustainability transitions, preferably the transition to a more circular economy and society, and ability to maintain and pro-actively develop this further;
• Ability to build longer-term partnerships between academics and (inter)national external networks as a basis for well balanced consortia for successful research proposals;
• Affinity with the CE transition and its challenges;
• Excellent communication skills (both written and oral);
• Strong analytical, organizational and negotiation skills
• Fluent proficiency in both Dutch and English;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, team player;
• Well-organized, autonomous, flexible, service- and result oriented; deadline-driven, proactive, driving force in cooperations.  

We offer a temporary position (0,5 - 0,8 FTE) for one year in an international working environment. After positive evaluation, this can be turned into a permanent position. The gross salary - depending on previous qualifications and experience - ranges between €4,332 and €6,737 (scale 11 or 12 according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities) per month for a full-time employment. Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3% per year.

In addition, Utrecht University offers excellent secondary conditions, including an attractive retirement scheme, professional development, (partly paid) parental leave, sports and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). For more information, please visit working at Utrecht University.