Your job
Are you interested in the bio-based economy and biomanufacturing? Do you have a biotechnological background but would like to keep contributing to the field from a more conceptual, managerial, and administrative perspective? If you want to bring your career to the next level by building up and handling the research projects of our Biomanufacturing and Digital Twins group, we would like to invite you to apply for this Research Manager position within our team!
The Research Manager we are looking for, will be part of the Biomanufacturing and Digital Twins Research Theme of the Bioprocess Engineering chair group (). The aims of our team encompass the exploration, development, and implementation of pioneering technologies. We focus on research fields such as synthetic biology, information technology, and industrial biotechnology. Our goal is to facilitate bio-based production, covering a wide range of biomanufacturing applications. These applications include bioplastics and pharmaceuticals. To assist us in our endeavors, we employ digital twins that have access to historical data and present process conditions. These digital twins simulate the future based on effective models.This position is new and thus offers a lot of room for your own input and your professional development.
Specifically, your main tasks as Research Manager will be:
- Contribute to the writing of new project proposals at different levels (national, international, in collaboration, etc.).
- Preparation, setting up, organization and coordination of research projects, including financial management.
- Support with internal and external reporting of research results (progress, milestones, deliverables) and financial realization to WU financial support staff and funding organizations.
- Identify research funding opportunities in the Netherlands, the EU, and beyond and advise about suitable collaboration partners.
- Management of funded projects related to research infrastructures as well as those aspects concerning business models, financial plans, and frameworks.
- Negotiate contracts and collaboration agreements with industry, other universities and societal partners.
- Represent Professor Martins dos Santos or his research group at project meetings.
We are looking for a Research Manager with a background in Industrial Biotechnology, Bioprocess Engineering and/or Data Science who is keen to keep contributing and shaping this research field, but from a more conceptual and organisational, and less experimental perspective. The Manager is expected to work closely with the senior members of the group, but must also communicate well with the junior members as well as across disciplines, with project partners, and with different stakeholders.
Your qualities
You have:
- a successfully completed MSc or PhD degree in Biotechnology, Bioengineering, Bioprocess Engineering, Data Science or in a relevant related field, or an MSc degree in the same areas + >2 years of relevant experience.
You also possess:
- Demonstrable experience writing reports and research proposals.
- High interest in the following research topics: Design-Build-Test-Learn cycle, autonomous biomanufacturing, synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, data Science.
- Problem solving capacities and excellent communication skills (spoken and written).
- Strong organizational qualities.
- Good communication skills (English, preferably also in Dutch).
- Familiar with basic project management skills like budgeting, presentation, market analysis, etc.
- Experience with impact assessment and Life Cycle Assessment development is a plus.
In our international working environment there is an increasing amount of communication in English. For this position it is about language level C1. If you do not yet have this level, we will of course help you and you can go to our language center Wageningen in’to Languages.
You can see that there are plenty of challenges ahead of you. These challenges can also be seen as development opportunities. So if you do not yet have the track-record required in the vacancy, but do have solid work experience, we would also like to invite you to apply.
You will work here
Biomanufacturing and Digital Twins
Our aims encompass the exploration, development and implementation of pioneering technologies in all these research fields in order to facilitate bio-based production, spanning a wide range of biomanufacturing, from bioplastics to pharmaceuticals, while being assisted by digital twins with access to historical data and present process conditions which can simulate the future based on effective models.
Our mission is to carry out excellent multidisciplinary research and education underpinning biomanufacturing and digital twins.
We specialize in applying microbial systems, advanced bioengineering and modelling technologies to real-world challenges. We approach the field of biomanufacturing in a holistic manner, considering the optimization of the bioconversion process from different viewpoints including the microbial platform, the conditions within and their remote control, the biotransformation itself, and the implications beyond.
We offer you
Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:
- sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
- working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
- the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
- there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
- a fixed December bonus of 8.3%;
- excellent pension scheme.
In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. Depending on your experience, we offer a competitive gross salary of between €2960,- and €4670,- for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 10). Initially, we offer you a one-year contract, which will then be extended to an open-ended contract if there is mutual enthusiasm. Of course, we would be happy to discuss this with you if you have any questions.
Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.
You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the “Best University” in the Netherlands for the 18th consecutive time.
Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.
Our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.
Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research’s International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling. For instance under the “30% rule”, certain categories of international staff can receive tax exemption on approximately 30% of their gross salary.
Do you want more information?
For more information about this position, please contact Vitor Martins dos Santos, Professor of Biomanufacturing and Digital Twins, +31 317 482865, by e-mail; vitor.martinsdossantos@wur.nl For more information about the procedure, please contact Rutger Voorrips, Recruiter, by e-mail; rutger.voorrips@wur.nl
Do you want to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.
This vacancy will be listed up to and including July 3rd, 2023. We hope to schedule the first job interviews on Mid July 2023.
Equal opportunities
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) employs a large number of people with very different backgrounds and qualities, who inspire and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organisation and be offered the same career opportunities. We therefore especially welcome applications from people who are underrepresented at WUR. A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment.
We are
Wageningen University & Research
The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,200 employees (6,400 fte) and 13,200 students and over 150.000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.
Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video to get an idea of our green campus!
We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.