Coordination of research on sustainable energy for the built environment

The main task is to coordinate EnergyVille’s research at low TRL level:

• Develop a broad view of the fundamental research challenges within EnergyVille’s entire research domain;
• Develop a shared vision of excellent basic research within EnergyVille and foster a culture of excellence, encouraging "high risk-high gain" research;
• Identify needs for common low-TRL research infrastructure and actively encourage common funding;
• Monitor how research challenges fit within the different research lines and EnergyVille’s vision for the energy transition;
• Actively identify and exploit synergies between research lines and activities, both in terms of content and competences, without compromising the academic freedom of researchers. The focus here is on research at the low TRL levels within EnergyVille.
• Within the scope of KU Leuven and EnergyVille, ensure continuous inflow of new fundamental (TRL1) and technology concepts (TRL2) among researchers, and continuous attention on the importance of low-TRL research among management.
• Define R&D valorisation strategies that ensure that return (cash or in-kind) flows back from valorisation income to research at lower TRL levels, to continue to create sustainable inflows from fundamental R&D into the valorisation chain. Promote implementation of such strategies already at low TRL level and monitor the implemented approaches.
• Identify opportunities regarding internal mobility and collaboration of researchers between research lines and research groups;
• Challenge research line, activity, roadmap, ... and other responsible persons regarding their vision on excellent basic research and its implementation, as well as translation into key indicators;
• Identify and attract new collaborations and partners (top researchers and research groups) within the parent institutes and beyond, in consultation with the research line coordinators, activity leaders and EnergyVille management;
• Identify and communicate opportunities for funding excellent basic research;
• Monitoring appropriate flow between TRL levels, in collaboration with the high-TRL coordination function.

In addition, the function will include other specific research coordination tasks within the EnergyVille consortium, such as (and/or): liaison with (Flemish) funding agencies; support to public-funded R&D applications; support to lab initiatives (OpenThor, EDIH-EBE). These tasks will be specified further considering the candidate’s prior experience and profile.

• You have relevant experience in the broad associated research domains
• You have a relevant PhD degree
• You have significant research management experience or research valorisation experience, for at least 5 years
• You feel affiliated to EnergyVille, its mission and values
• You can work independently, but are also an excellent team player
• You have adequate networking skills and a customer-oriented attitude
• You have excellent communication skills, especially in English. Knowledge of Dutch is a plus

• A senior research manager position (80%) in an international recognized team.
• Involvement in a customer-oriented organization in the domain of innovative technological research and science-based services.
• The possibility to assist in promoting Flanders internationally as an active knowledge region and contribute to sustainable development.
• An attractive salary and extra-legal benefits.
• Possibility to shape the position based on the profile.