WORK WITH US
JOB VACANCY FOR THE HIRING OF A
“EU FUNDING EXPERT”
Deadline 22nd June 2018
The position
Unismart is looking for a EU Funding expert for its office in Padova (Italy) which will collaborate with researchers, business practitioners, public stakeholders and expert consultants to prepare highly competitive Horizon 2020 proposals (e.g. RIA, IA, CSA, Fast Track to Innovation and SME Instrument).
The main objective is to support the creation of collaborative research opportunities to be funded within H2020 with the ultimate goal of validating ambitious innovation projects at high TRL, including new business models and pilot value chains to break the barriers to market. Project ideas can be, for instance, generated within the Unismart Community, as a follow-up of contract research activities or by connecting innovative results to external partnerships, leveraging on the broad collaboration network of the University of Padova.
The candidate will work with a high grade of autonomy under the guidance of Unismart’s Managing Director and in close collaboration with the International Research Office of the University of Padova.
The role requires someone who can critically review project concepts, identify bottlenecks and barriers as well as the necessary activities and resources to draft a sound and innovative research programme which convincingly demonstrates the potential to generate a socio-economic impact.
The candidate will deal regularly and manage relations with companies, scientists, public officers, partners, providers etc. within formal and informal networks, attending public brokerage events and promoting new project ideas.
The candidate will need to prove in-depth expertise in the following key areas:
- Monitoring of funding schemes and opportunities for SMEs, universities, research centres, business organisations and international clusters;
- Running creative brainstorms with clients, providers and partners to generate innovative yet solid concepts that address calls’ topics;
- Carrying out technical and economic feasibility assessments of potential breakthrough ideas and project concepts;
- Liaising with industrial and academic stakeholders to collect all the information and knowledge needed for the preparation and submission of research proposals;
- Authoring complex and well-structured proposals for high competitive instruments within H2020;
- Ensuring proposals are assessed, prepared and submitted according to the deadlines;
- Supporting the negotiation phase for those proposals that have been successful.
Requirements
Candidates who want to apply for this position must:
- Possess a previous experience in writing proposals within FP7 or H2020;
- Demonstrate extensive networking at European level, including Technology Platforms and Constituencies involved in major initiatives as PPPs;
- Possess excellent communication and organizational skills;
- Be very pro-active and able to innovate & manage his/her own tasks and workflow without relying on constant inputs from the management;
- Have a very good and “can do” attitude towards the job, the colleagues and the Management;
- Have excellent multi-tasking skills;
- Be a resident of a country of the European Union;
- Hold a master-level university degree with an excellent academic background