Innovation Officer Cure & Prevention (20996) - Pharmaceutics

Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 8,000 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 an experienced project manager for the support of innovation activities (funding, valorisation) for the development of innovative drugs and vaccines for humans and animals.

Ghent University is committed to stimulate the commercialization of innovative knowledge and technology. For its liaison with industry, Ghent University has a network of industry-specific business development centers (BDC), funded by the Industrial Research Fund (IOF), and backed by a central Technology Transfer Office. Key activities of the BD centers include building strategic technology portfolios, setting-up industrial partnerships, and creating spin-off companies.

In recent years, the field of health care has seen remarkable discoveries and rapid progress. New gene, protein and cell-based medicines are under development that change the way we will cure and prevent diseases in humans and animals in the near future.

The development of innovative drugs and vaccines is a challenging area with high-risk and financially demanding incubation tracks before such assets become attractive for industrial partners, investors and/or innovation accelerators.

The Innovation Officer will assist in the preparation and submission of innovation oriented grant applications, such as IOF, VLAIO, EU, FWO and patient organisation funds. She/he will be responsible for the project management of valorisation aspects of key innovation programmes and will directly support business development manages in on-going valorisation activities (e.g. IP/market analysis, business planning). Priority will be given to projects and programmes for which Ghent University presents critical mass in developing highly innovative product/technology concepts (small molecules, biologics, ATMPs, vaccines, alternatives to antibiotics, drug delivery systems) or have an impact on public health and animal welfare. The innovation officer will directly report to a business development manager and will work in close collaboration with a variety of research and valorisation profiles within and outside Ghent University and Ghent University Hospital.

As an Innovation Officer, you will:

• take the lead and/or actively contribute to the writing of innovation oriented grant proposals, with a focus on the path to market, the socio-economic impact and the involvement of industry partners or other relevant stakeholders.
• Build expertise/insight in EU and VLAIO/FWO programs and become a reference within the cure&prevention team;
• Be responsible for the project management of valorisation aspects of selected key innovation programs (valorisation asset monitoring, reporting, contract & IP management, preliminary IP/market analysis);
• Assist in portfolio management and marketing of innovation assets in the cure & prevention field (support in trade fairs);

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• PhD in the (bio)medical, pharmaceutical or bio-engineering field , or at least 5 years of equivalent experience in industrial R&D in the pharma/biotech sector;
• Scientific knowledge and expertise in (bio)medicine or veterinary medicine, preferably with a good understanding and insight into molecular biology;
• Masters and enjoys the art of project writing (English);
• Basic knowledge of aspects of industrial drug development and valorisation management (contract, IP, market analysis);
• Preferably knowledge of regional, National and European research funding; schemes;
• Experience with project management of large R&D projects, preferably with; affinity of business oriented development and valorisation activities;
• Able to work independent, accurately and to meet deadlines;
• Good communication and interpersonal skills;
• Enthusiastic can-do mentality;

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• We offer you a contract of indefinite duration.

• Your contract will start on Select the date in the drop-down menu at the earliest.

• 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 (in Dutch).

• Career prospects are multiple in the context of a stimulating employment status, which will largely depend on your knowledge and experience. Many opportunities for personal development to grow insights and experience in the valorisation of academic research and in particular the development of tomorrow’s drugs and vaccines in collaboration with industry partners.