EU Program Expert

TU/e

The Technical University of Eindhoven (TU/e) is an internationally renowned technical university specializing in Engineering Science & Technology. The TU/e organization comprises nine faculties, four Institutes and ten central services that support the primary processes of education, research, and valorization. Through these high-quality activities, TU/e drives advancements in technical sciences and the development of technological innovations. In doing so, TU/e contributes to the growth of prosperity and well-being in the Brainport region and beyond. At the heart of TU/e are its people: the campus is home to a growing community of approximately 13,000 students and 3,500 staff members who live, work, and engage in recreational activities on campus.

Research Support Office

The Research Support Office (RSO) consists of a close-knit team of professionals who support the academic staff in both pre- and post-award phases of European, national, and regional research & innovation grants. The RSO team includes research funding advisors / program experts, program managers, project leaders, and a team of legal experts.

Research Support Network

The TU/e Research Support Network (RSN) is a comprehensive knowledge network on campus that supports researchers throughout all phases of their research & innovation projects. The RSN is organized into two tiers: the first tier consists of Departmental Project Development Offices (PDOs) and Institute Program Managers (PMs) that provide initial support and guidance. The second tier, that includes the RSO, consists of experts at central services who offer specialized support to both the first tier support and to researchers directly..

TU/e EU Action Plan

On the request of the Executive Board and as a deliverable of the TU/e 2030 Strategy, a new EU-strategy has been developed by a campus-wide working group, in cocreation with stakeholders at TU/e: the TU/e EU Action Plan.

Goal of the plan is to improve the way TU/e is engaging in EU-research & innovation programmes (e.g. Horizon Europe), and to have an integral and coherent approach in which we closely cooperate on campus and where we learn and grow further together. In doing so, we will be compliant with all existing and new EC-regulations and requirements. 

The EU Action Plan, which has broad support on all levels within TU/e, is a dedicated and balanced improvement program in which needed new instruments (like info sessions, trainings, workshops, etc.) will be developed. The overall aim is that TU/e and its researchers and support staff will have a high return on effort and optimal visibility, participation and impact in EU R&I programmes.

To this end, amongst others, staff in 4 central services will be extended, including in the current grant support team of the RSO. This new RSO-colleague will work within the new EU Action Plan-team. This EU-team will closely collaborate with other RSO staff, staff in central services, and first tier support support staff inthe Departments & Institutes  in various sub-projects towards achieving the goals of the EU Action Plan. 

Job description

We are seeking an enthusiastic colleague to contribute to the successful execution of TU/e's EU Action Plan. As one of the EU Program experts you will support academic staff and project development officers in the entire process of call-selection, proposal-ideation, feasibility analyses, writing, reviewing and submitting proposals for European collaborative grants (such as Horizon Europe pillar 2, Digital Europe, European Defence fund, etc.). You will help setting up and running infosession and a structured training programme for researchers, as well as a training programme for 1st tier support staff (train the trainer). You will help in extending well aligned external relations & cooperation of the RSN with our strategic partners (such as the EuroTech Universities Alliance) and our key industry partners.
Importantly, you will also help in the development of improved procedures, toolkits and templates, etc. that are to be developed in the context of the EU Action Plan.  

You will be hierarchically positioned in the Grant Support team of the Research Support Office, but content-wise be part of the EU Action Plan. This role offers a high degree of diversity and autonomy within the team and the university.

Tasks

Specific tasks include:

• Identify and communicate (e.g. through information sessions) relevant EU funding opportunities, including background information, to the TU/e community.
• Help create high potential project ideas/summaries, and perform feasibility analyses of project ideas.
• Coordinate proposal-initiatives on campus.
• Answer questions and provide support in the proposal writing process.
• Provide 2nd line support for departments and institutes.
• Provide constructive feedback on research proposals to improve the quality of the proposal.
• Stimulate and support researchers to develop a personal EU-growth strategy and network (a.o. through the EuroTech Universities Alliance).
• Develope and provide structured training for researchers and support staff.
• Collaborate with colleagues in the TU/e Research Support Network and Research Support Office, colleagues from other central services and stakeholders on campus (e.g. department- and institute directors).

Requirements:

For this role, we are looking for a colleague who:

• Possesses an academic level of thinking and working.
• Hs skilled in communication and proficient in conveying and sharing knowledge.
• has experience in supporting researchers in applying for grants, preferably EU / Horizon Europe grants.
• Is familiar with the European R&I programmes & institutions and has a relevant network.
• Has experience in delivering presentations/workshops.
• Is capable of motivating professionals and coordinating their activities.
• Has strong written and verbal proficiency in English.
• Is proactive, customer-oriented, analytical, results-driven, and a networker.
• Works independently and flexibly.
• Collaborates effectively with colleagues both within and outside the EU Action Plan team.

Salary Benefits:

We offer a position for 32 - 40 hours. You will start in this function with a one-year contract. If you perform well, this will be converted into a permanent contract.

• A monthly salary of, depending on your knowledge and experience, up to € 6.209,- (scale 11 Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities) or € 7.056,-
  (scale 12 Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities) for a full-time position;
• In addition to holiday pay, a structural end-of-year bonus of 8.3%;
• A favorable arrangement for extra days of leave or a sabbatical;
• A choice model for additional secondary employment conditions;
• Working hours in consultation for an optimal work-life balance;
• Opportunities for your talent and personal growth and excellent development opportunities, such as mentoring , workshops and coaching;
• Partly paid parental leave and compensation for travel expenses, commuting, working from home and internet;
• A generous employer contribution to the favorable ABP pension scheme.

30.4 hours per week

De Rondom 70