Innovation Officer Offshore Wind

1 - Working at the VUB

For almost 50 years, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel has stood for freedom, equality and connectedness. These values are strongly present on our campuses, in our students as well as our staff. At the VUB, you’ll find a diverse collection of personalities: pure innovators and especially people who are 100% their authentic selves. With about 4.000 employees, we are the largest Flemish-speaking employer in Brussels, an international city with which we are all too happy to be connected, and around which our four campuses are located.

2 - Position Description

The VUB Wind Research Group

Our AVRG research group is looking for a motivated candidate to strengthen our team in the field of data-driven modeling and smart monitoring, focusing on wind energy and 3D metal printing. We are experts in acquiring and processing large amounts of measurement and engineering data and are very successful in obtaining research funding. You will support professors Christof Devriendt and Jan Helsen in the field of offshore wind energy (OWI-lab) within a context of more than 25 research projects and numerous industrial collaborations, surrounded by a team of almost 40 employees.

The Innovation Officer

Do you want to contribute to the energy transition and innovations in offshore wind energy? The Innovation Officer plays a crucial role in the growth of the VUB wind research team. You will co-create an innovation portfolio and secure funding for innovative technologies with significant economic and societal impact. You will primarily work in offshore wind energy and new ocean energy, with innovations focused on monitoring, AI-based analysis, and Digital Twin technologies.

Additionally, you will be part of the OWI Lab consortium with Ghent University and Sirris, aiming to create a center of excellence in Offshore Wind in Belgium. You will support by assessing competencies of multiple labs and benchmarking them with global standards.

Location: Home office, VUB office in Brussels, and visits to research partners and industries.

3 - Profile

Knowledge & Experience

• Master's degree in mechanical engineering with at least 2 years of experience in a relevant industrial or academic R&D environment.
• Experience in writing innovation proposals and projects is a plus. Knowledge of IP and contractual agreements is an asset.
• Motivation for market intelligence and business development, and experience in wind energy, monitoring, structural analysis, big data integration, and IoT.
• Interest in applied research and technology development.
• Affinity with the energy transition and offshore wind sector.

Skills & Attitudes

• Proficient in writing projects in both Dutch and English.
• Defining the needs of the research group, structuring and professionalizing project proposals, and the writing process.
• Coordinating and developing research and innovation proposals up to the signing of the research agreement.
• Broad technical and interpersonal skills for collaboration between teams and contacts with stakeholders and industrial partners.
• Excellent communication skills and a team player.

4 - Offer

Are you going to be our new colleague? You’ll be offered a full-time contract at a monthly gross salary linked to grade 7 (min. € 3.689 gross), 8 (min. € 4.184 gross) or 9 (min. € 4.545 gross), depending on your competences and previous relevant work experience. All info on compensation and salary can be found here

At the VUB, you’re guaranteed an open, involved and diverse workplace where you are offered opportunities to (further) build on your career. As well as this, you’ll enjoy various benefits:

• Full reimbursement for your home-work commute with public transport according to VUB-policy, or compensation if you come by bike;
• Cost-free hospitalisation and group insurance with guaranteed income;
• The space to form your job content and continuously learn via VUB LRN;
• Excellent facilities for sport and exercise;
• Ecocheques;
• Delicious meals at attractive prices in our campus restaurants;
• An open, family-friendly work environment where attention is paid to work-life balance, and exceptional holiday arrangements with 35 days of leave (based on a fulltime contract), 3 days of extra leave and closure of 1 week between Christmas and New Year. 

5 - Interested?

Is this the job you’ve been dreaming of? Apply before 30/11/2024. Send us your CV, letter of motivation and the highest degree you’ve attained (not applicable for VUB alumni).

Do you have questions about the job content? Contact christof.devriendt@vub.be or +32 477 41 20 49.

Would you like to know what it’s like to work at the VUB?

Go to www.jobs.vub.be and find all there is to know about our campuses, benefits, strategic goals and your future colleagues.  

6 - For office use

Contract: indefinite

Head unit/faculty: Faculty of Engineering

FTE: fulltime

Function: Knowledge valorisation officer

Pay grade group: 7-8-9

Recrutement type: hiring