Valorisation manager for the IOF consortium Q-INSPEX

Let’s shape the future - University of Antwerp

The University of Antwerp is a dynamic, forward-thinking, European university. We offer an innovative academic education to more than 20000 students, conduct pioneering scientific research and play an important service-providing role in society. We are one of the largest, most international and most innovative employers in the region. With more than 6000 employees from 100 different countries, we are helping to build tomorrow's world every day. Through top scientific research, we push back boundaries and set a course for the future – a future that you can help to shape. 

Within the framework of the Industrial Research Fund (IOF) and to support applied research, the Association University & Colleges of Antwerp (AUHA) is looking for a full-time valorisation manager for the IOF consortium Q-INSPEX.

The IOF Consortium Q-INSPEX consists of the following research groups: imec-Visionlab (VLAB), Antwerp X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Laboratory (AXIS), Industrial Vision Lab (InViLab), and Antwerp Cultural Heritage Sciences (ARCHES), all four affiliated with the Faculty of Science and Applied Engineering.

Q-INSPEX aims at the development of novel imaging and image processing protocols to non-invasively and quantitatively inspect objects and subjects. Core imaging technologies herein are X-ray, (near)-infrared, and TeraHertz imaging. These technologies are largely complementary to each other and can be used in different set-ups as (i) an R&D tool to measure specific characteristics of materials (e.g. food structures or polymers), (ii) as a quality control procedure implemented within an industrial setting (i.e. compatible with processing speeds) or (iii) in-field inspections of crops and infrastructure (e.g. corrosion). Furthermore, they can be applied in a wide variety of domains: additive manufacturing, composites, art objects, textiles, archaeology, crops, food, etc.

Q-INSPEX collaborates with many universities and research centers worldwide and develops cutting-edge technologies together with industry. We are looking for an IOF valorisation manager, who can bring Q-INSPEX's research to its partners through win-win collaborations.

Position

As an IOF valorisation manager, you will build partnerships with the R&D departments and managers of both national and international partners. In the valorisation team, you will work together with other valorisation managers, each with their own area of expertise.

Your core tasks are:

• You will consolidate and expand the research consortium from a valorisation management perspective with the aim of:
  • fostering cooperation with industry;
  • building a knowledge and IP portfolio of potential relevance to the industry;
  • exploring new opportunities for collaboration and valorisation.
• You build and maintain relationships with the Flemish and international ecosystem;
• You will capture the overall industry needs and be able to link them to the overall Q-INSPEX research strategy and activities;
• You follow up on collaboration opportunities and make them a success: you set up both national and international strategic collaborations with industry and international research centres, where you also assist in writing grant applications;
• In agreement with the researchers of the consortium, you will be responsible for initiating new initiatives, which have the potential for new promising collaborations in the industry;
• You are responsible for your valorisation project within the valorisation team of the UAntwerp and communicate with the valorisation team, legal IP departments and other experts from both the university and imec;
• You stimulate (interdisciplinary) collaboration with other faculties / departments / research groups of the university, as well as with the universities of applied sciences belonging to the association (AUHA), and create national and international cooperation networks;
• You will be responsible for creating and recognizing opportunities and portfolio management related to patents and spin-offs;
• You will help develop the consortium's strategy, roadmap and collaborations. You will become the Q-INSPEX consortium's point of contact for internal and external stakeholders.

More generally, your activities will always be focused on the industrial valorisation of new technologies and research results from the IOF consortium, with the aim of increasing the IOF parameters of the University of Antwerp and the AUHA colleges: PhDs (P1), A1 publications and citations (P2), industrial income (P3), income from EU programmes (P4), patents (P5) and spin-offs (P6),  whereby the valorisation manager's efforts are mainly situated in P3, P4, P5 and P6.

Profile

• You hold a master's degree in the exact sciences or engineering and have at least 5 years of relevant expertise. Possession of a doctorate by dissertation in a relevant research field of the IOF Consortium is not a requirement but is considered an additional asset;
• You have excellent administrative and communication skills and experience in contract negotiation and management;
• You have proven experience in business development and/or innovation management. Experience with public-private partnerships is definitely a plus;
• You are able to bridge the gap between customer needs and research. Experience and a network in the application areas of industry 4.0, arts and conservation, industrial inspection is a plus;
• You are able to build credibility with senior executives, technical and non-technical project teams, and peers;
• You are a team player who can motivate people to collectively strive for a common goal;
• Relevant work experience in both academic and industrial research is a strong asset;
• Experience in attracting external research funding from the private and public sectors in the field of applied research at both national and international level is desirable;
• Experience with valorisation within an academic context is a plus;
• Experience with spin-off trajectories based on academic results is a plus;
• Experience in managing a team is a plus;
• Knowledge of technology transfer processes required to valorize academic research results and available technology, as well as experience in managing a broad project portfolio is an advantage;
• Experience with EU projects and related administration is also an advantage, including intellectual property management;
• Given the challenging position in both national and international contexts, it is important that you are fluent in English. Extra knowledge of Dutch is a plus.

What we offer

• An employment contract of indefinite duration, depending on positive evaluations and available budgets, appointed at the University of Antwerp. After 1 year, there is a first evaluation;
• A full-time gross monthly salary of Valorisation Manager with a salary scale for postdoctoral researcher or lecturer. You can consult the pay scales here ;
• A dynamic and stimulating environment;
• Flexible working hours;
• 40 days of leave per year and closing week between Christmas and New Year;
• Free commuting by public transport;
• Possibility of a bicycle allowance;
• Startdate: as soon as possible
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here.

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy up to and including January 2, 2025 via the online application platform of the University of Antwerp. Click on the 'Apply' button, complete the online application form and be sure to add the following attachments: (1) a motivation letter and (2) your CV and that until January 2, 2025 at the latest.
• The selection committee will review all applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. Once a decision has been made, we will inform you about the next steps in the selection procedure. We ask you to take this date into account in your calendar: January 13, 2025 in the morning.
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be.
• For information about the IOF, please contact Jurgen Joossens (Tel. 03 265 30 25, Jurgen.Joossens@uantwerpen.be);
• If you have any questions about the position, please contact Jan Sijbers, spokesperson of the consortium, (Tel. 03 265 89 11, jan.sijbers@uantwerpen.be).

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.