Business Developer for NEUR-o-AIMS

1 - Working at the VUB

For more than 50 years, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel has stood for freedom, equality and solidarity, and this is very much alive on our campuses among students and staff alike. 

At the VUB, you will find a diverse collection of personalities: innovators pur sang, but above all people who are 100% their authentic selves. With some 4,000 employees, we are the largest Dutch-speaking employer, in the private sector, in Brussels; an international city with which we are only too happy to connect and where (around) our 4 campuses are located. 

Add to this our principle of free research - in which self-reflection, a critical attitude and an open, creative mind around scientific and social issues are central - and you have a university that is fundamentally groundbreaking and pioneering in education and research. In short: the VUB all over again. 

Moreover, the VUB is a member of EUTOPIA, an alliance of like-minded European universities, all ready to reinvent themselves.

2 - Position description

The Faculteit Geneeskunde en Farmacie, Department Observerende Klinische wetenschappen, research group NEUR, is looking for a postdoctoral researcher. 

More concretely your work package contains: 

Are you passionate about bridging the gap between research and industry? Do you have a talent for identifying funding opportunities and building strategic collaborations? The NEUR-o-AIMS consortium is seeking a dedicated Business Developer to help drive our mission forward by securing funding, fostering industry partnerships, and contributing to impactful and high-quality research projects.

Key responsibilities:
•    Funding Acquisition: Identify and secure funding from a variety of sources, including National, European and International grants (e.g., IOF, Horizon Europe), industrial funding, and other applied research opportunities.
•    Proof-of-concept: Research towards proof-of-concepts. You will help the consortium to reach proof-of-concept results to strengthen grant applications.
•    Project Development: Write project proposals. You will work closely with researchers to translate innovative ideas into successful funding applications.
•    Industry Engagement and Outreach: Proactively engage with companies, fostering collaborations that align with our research priorities and industry needs. Attend business development events and represent the consortium, building and maintaining relationships with key industry stakeholders.
•    Monitoring & Strategy: Stay up to date and ensuring compliance with funding guidelines. Tracking the performance of secured grants and collaborations.
 

For this function, our Brussels Health Campus (Jette) will serve as your home base. 

3 - Profile

What do we expect from you?

•    PhD in biomedical sciences, engineering or computer science preferred.

•    Strong understanding of academic (National, European, International) and/or industrial funding mechanisms and project proposal writing. 
•    Industry experience and/or business skills. Experience in building partnerships between academia and industry, with an existing network of industry contacts would be highly advantageous.
•    Ability to operationalize ideas, from concept to funded project.
•    Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to present complex ideas and proposals clearly to diverse audiences.
 

The VUB wants to be a reflection of the society where everyone's talent is valued, regardless of gender, age, religion, skin color, migration background, disability and neurodiversity.

4 - Offer

Are you going to be our new colleague?

You’ll be offered a contract, for an assignment of 1 FTE, for 12 months (extendable, on condition of the positive evaluation of the research activities), with planned starting date 01/03/2025. 

We offer a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment within a leading research group consortium and opportunities to shape impactful research projects and initiatives.

You’ll receive a salary linked to one of the scales set by the government.

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 will also enjoy various other benefits:

• Extensive homeworking options, a telework allowance of 50 euros per month OR an internet fee of 20 euros per month;
• An open and informal working environment where attention is paid to work-life balance, and exceptional holiday arrangements with 35 days of leave (based on a fulltime contract), closure between Christmas and New Year and 3 extra leave days;
• Cost-free hospitalisation insurance;
• Full reimbursement of your home-to-work commute with public transport according to VUB-policy, and/or compensation if you come by bike; 
• A wide selection of meals in our campus restaurants at attractive prices;
• Excellent and affordable facilities for sport and exercise, a range of discounts via Benefits@Work (in  all kinds of shops, on flights, in petrol stations, amusement parks...) and Ecocheques; 
• Nursery near campus, discount on holiday camps; 
• The space to form your job content and to continuously learn through our VUB learning platforms and training courses;
• And finally: great colleagues with a healthy drive.

5 - Interested?

Is this the job you’ve been dreaming of?

Then apply, at the latest on 15/01/2025, via jobs.vub.be, and upload the following documents:

• your CV;
• your motivation letter outlining your relevant experience and why you are a good fit for this role;
• your diploma (not applicable for VUB alumni).

Do you have questions about the job content? Contact Prof. Sebastiaan Engelborghs, Prof. Guy Nagels, Prof. Jeroen Van Schependom, Paloma Diaz Gutierrez at Sebastiaan.Engelborghs@vub.be; Guy.Nagels@vub.be; Jeroen.Van.Schependom@vub.be or on +32 2 477 62 03.

Would you like to know what it’s like to work at the VUB? Go to jobs.vub.be, and find all there is to know about our campuses, benefits, strategic goals and your future colleagues.

Would you like more information about EUTOPIA? Go to eutopia-university.eu, and read more about the role of the VUB in the development of the EUTOPIA alliance.