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, but especially people who are 100% their authentic selves. With about 3,500 employees, we are the largest Flemishspeaking employer in Brussels, an international city with which we are all too happy to be affiliated and around which our four campuses are located.
Our education and research are grounded in the principles of free research with an eye on human progress. We disapprove of every purely authoritative argument and guarantee the free formation of judgement that is necessary for this basic principle to be incorporated in the community.
The VUB is autonomous and managed democratically. As such, we guarantee fundamental freedoms within our university, as well as the right of the university community to be involved in making and checking university policy.
The mission of the university includes:
- the development, the transfer and the application of high-standing academic education and scientific research, free from any
- prejudice;
- community integration of this in a spirit of social compassion;
- critical development of everyone in light of the responsibilities borne in the community.
VACANCY
The Mobility, Logistics and Automotive Technology Research Centre (MOBI) at the VUB has very strong expertise in electro-mobility, sustainable energy and related business ecosystems. MOBI will continue to consolidate its growth in these domains thanks to its collaboration with industrial partners, national and international networks, unique portfolio of application-oriented knowledge, and thanks to its multidisciplinary approach, providing key assets on electric and autonomous vehicles, power electronics systems, drivetrains, battery systems and sustainable energy.
To achieve our valorization plans in the coming years, we are looking for a business developer who has strong background and skills
in business development, and a thorough insight in the execution of R&D at high level.
What do we expect from you for our multidisciplinary team?
- Organizing regular internal meetings with team leaders to better understand the needs of our multidisciplinary team and our valorization plans;
- Identifying and marketing valorizable research results.
- Developing and delivering business and valorization plans;
- Proactively participating in research networks at national and international events organized by EARPA, EGVIA, ERTRAC, EC on European funding programmes, EIT KIC InnoEnergy, VLAIO, Innoviris, FLUX50, FWO, etc.
- Stimulating cooperation with industrial partners; entering into bilateral research contracts or subcontracts;
- Identifying market opportunities and undertaking market insight evaluations to assure the
- feasibility and viability of identified opportunities;
- Screening of national public procurement calls;
- Developing new business opportunities through enterprise, commercial and/or knowledge
- exchanges;
- Identifying and informing researchers through various channels about the funding possibilities
- that exist for their research (one-to-one meetings, website, social media, workshops);
- Setting up and coordinating cross-domain and multidisciplinary structures;
- Collaborating with other business developers to create larger networks & projects and setting up
- strategic partnerships;
- Support in reviewing marketing materials (flyers, website, presentation slides, etc.);
- Writing reports on business achievements every 6 months
- Support to project proposal drafting
- Interaction with the VUB T echtransfer office
- Regular assessment and review of MOBI SWOT and impact on team activities
- Update of the projects acquisition funnel and review of related metrics
- Investigation of complementary funding opportunities for equipment
JOB PROFILE
- You have attained a PhD degree or the equivalent through experience (minimum 3 years in business development);
- You are a team player who can work independently;
- General knowledge on electro-mechanical engineering and sustainable energy;
- Strong communication skills in all formats;
- You can deal with stress and are able to deal with several projects (and deadlines) at the same time.
- Fluent in written and spoken English and Dutch (preferable).
OFFER
As an employee of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, you’ll work, every day, in a dynamic, diverse and multilingual environment. Our campuses are located in the middle of a green oasis at the edge of the capital city of Flanders, Belgium and Europe. That city centre, with all its opportunities and possibilities, is easily accessed by public transport in less than half an hour.
Depending on your experience and your academic merits, you’ll receive a salary in one of the grades that have been set by the government. Standard inclusions include hospitalisation insurance and the free use of public transport for your home–work commute.
And if you prefer to bike to work? There’s compensation for that too. On both campuses, there are extensive sport facilities available to you and childcare facilities within walking distance.
For more information on what it’s like to work at the VUB, go to www.vub.ac.be/en/jobs.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Duration of contract : 12 months
Preferred start date: 01/12/2021
Application Deadline: 01/11/2021
HOW TO APPLY
Send your application to Prof. Dr. Omar Hegazy at Omar.Hegazy@vub.be no later than 01/11/2021. Your application must include the following as a minimum:
- A concise CV;
- The academic dossier with all relevant elements;
- A brief statement of reasons for the candidature, including key achievements in business
- development activities;
- Degrees and diplomas.