The lndustrial Research Fund (lOF) of KU Leuven Association acts as a dynamic conduit between strategic basic research, technological innovations and industrial partnerships. Leveraging collaborations with KU Leuven’s research units, the University Hospital, and diverse industry and societal stakeholders, our objective is to expand KU Leuven’s valorization portfolio while enhancing knowledge transfer. Our team comprises over 40 experienced innovation managers who specialize in converting the research teams’ expertise and infrastructure at KU Leuven/UZ Leuven into practical, cutting-edge technological solutions.
We seek an Innovation Manager to initiate, develop and support a valorization strategy in resource recovery. This role supports an interdisciplinary consortium of two KU Leuven research teams, experts in key enabling technologies in (bio)chemical process engineering and chemical analysis, particularly focused on environmental applications. The scope of valorization spans advanced wastewater treatment, conversion of organic waste into renewable chemicals and energy carriers, and advanced analytical chemistry, with particular emphasis on chromatographic methods.
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Responsibilities
- Business development: active involvement in identifying new industrial contacts and shaping joint development collaborations.
- Project coordination: lead the management and support of a varied range of valorization projects, originating from the consortium’s scientific research;
- Opportunity exploration and matchmaking: actively seek new project opportunities and align consortium technologies with specific industrial needs;
- Proposal coordination: actively participate in proposal writing, focusing particularly on the valorization aspects;
- Strategic research and tech transfer planning: contribute to the strategic planning of the consortium’s research and technology transfer agenda;
- Funding identification and consortium formation: proactively identify funding sources, develop project consortia, and establish collaborations;
- Visibility enhancement and promotion: boost visibility and promote the consortium’s research and valorization program to generate business opportunities;
- Industry collaboration and IP management: facilitate consortium-industry cooperation, oversee intellectual property management and assist in spin-off company creation, in liaison with KU Leuven Research and Development;
- Exploitation trajectory support: guide researchers from project inception to identifying the most effective exploitation trajectory for their research outcomes, including collaboration agreements, patent, licensing and spin-offs.
Profile
- You possess a PhD or minimum 5 years of experience in strategic research in a relevant field such as chemical engineering, bioscience engineering or analytical chemistry, or have equivalent experience in industry. A track record in research and successful grant writing, particularly in EU proposals, is highly valued;
- You have profound knowledge in one or more areas pertinent to the program, including waste(water) treatment, environmental technology, environmental analysis and analytical chemistry;
- You are well-versed in intellectual property and regulatory matters, or keen to develop such expertise;
- You are skilled in the transfer and commercial exploitation of research findings, with e.g. demonstrated proactivity in developing commercially viable propositions, experience in bilateral research with industry;
- You are proficient in managing scientific, financial, and human resource aspects of projects, including reporting;
- You are familiar with major funding channels in Flanders and Europe;
- You have an entrepreneurial mindset and strong negotiation capabilities;
- You are able to identify and preferably have existing contacts with key industrial players in Flanders and Europe;
- You have proven experience in working with academic and industrial consortia;
- You are fluent in English, both spoken and written. Dutch fluency is a significant advantage.
Offer
We offer a dynamic and inspiring job as an Industrial Research Manager at KU Leuven. This permanent position promises an engaging journey through continuous innovation and development, situated within a transdisciplinary and international environment. Embrace the opportunity to valorize groundbreaking research initiatives, contributing significantly to the advancement of various fields.
More information
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Interested?
For more information please contact Mrs. Elke Herinckx, mail: [email protected] or Prof. dr. ir. Raf Dewil, mail: [email protected].
KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.
