Experienced Partnership Officer in Greentech Innovation (M/F)

Type: Chercheur
Type de contrat: CDI
Lieu de travail: Belvaux

Contexte

 

As part of a Research and Technology Organization (RTO), the work of the Environmental Research and Innovation (ERIN) Department tackles some of the major environmental challenges our society is facing today, such as climate change mitigation, ecosystem resilience, sustainable energy systems, the efficient use of renewable resources, and environmental pollution prevention and control. To this end, the mission of the ERIN department is:

(1) To conduct impact-driven scientific research and development, as well as technological innovation
(2) To support companies in the implementation of new environmental regulations and advise governments on determining sustainable policies for the future with the objectives of:

• Analysing, managing and exploiting sustainable resources (water, air, soil, renewable energy, bioresources)
• Reducing the environmental impact of human consumption and production activities

The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) has recently announced the launch of the GreenTech Innovation Centre (https://www.list.lu/en/news/tomorrows-technologies-unveiled-at-list-tech-day-2019/), an open innovation facility for the development of bio-based products and processes of industrial interest, new biorefinery concepts for more efficient and sustainable processes, and new technologies for the detection and treatment of environmental pollution.

More than 60 scientists and engineers provide a range of RDI support services to companies to bring their innovations from lab to industrial scale by relying on state-of-the-art facilities and prototypes for process upscaling. Innovations are typically based on biodiscovery, molecular biology techniques, metabolic engineering, plant and microorganisms (bacteria, yeast, fungi and green microalgae) cell culture, anaerobic digestion, bioprocess optimization, biocatalysis, green chemistry and product formulation, while markets focus on a range of sectors, such as cosmetics, food and feed ingredients, biowaste and wastewater recycling, nutraceuticals, flavourings, fragrances, enzymes, plant protections agents and many more.

Companies’ needs towards “Safer and Sustainable-by design” products and processes are supported by our experts in sustainability and health and environmental risk assessment that can support R&D in all lifecycle phases of a product or process development. The Institute has developed a portfolio of innovative computational lifecycle based methods and in-vitro toxicological models.  

The launch of the GreenTech Innovation Centre has pushed the need to expand the business development team with an extra business developer. He/she will play a key role in the future of the GreenTech Innovation Centre.

 

Description

 

The selected candidate will join the Partnership Development Team of the ERIN Department of the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), reporting directly to the ERIN director. He/She will lead the business development of the GreenTech Innovation Centre in collaboration with the GreenTech Innovation Centre senior management and RDI units/groups in terms of identification and concretization of business/partnership opportunities and market intelligence and watch, key account management, and the valorization and transfer of the GreenTech Innovation Centre assets, as well as communication/representation with a focus on industrial and environmental biotechnologies and sustainability. The Partnership Officer may co-manage industrial projects.

Identification and implementation of business/partnership opportunities

• Prospect new customers by proactive networking
• Identify, develop and close new agreements covering the domains of the GreenTech Innovation Centre, with partners from the private and public sector
• Actively participate in the negotiation of contracts and agreements. This involves collaborating closely with researchers and the Legal Department in the contract-drafting phase
• Initiate and follow up the development of a partnership and collaboration strategy together with the GreenTech Innovation Centre senior management and RDI units/groups
• Support projects in all phases of the partnering process
• Manage the centre’s partner portfolio: create momentum with potential partners and consolidate good relationships with existing ones
• Develop a screening strategy for business deal or partnership opportunities

Market intelligence and watch

• Research and find out about prospect and client industries, and trends to estimate needs and goals
• Ensure technology watch

Manage industrial and knowledge transfer projects including project-funding applications

Networking and representation

• Represent the GreenTech Innovation Center
• Initiate and contribute to the networking events and actions of the GreenTech Innovation Center
• Establish a strong external network, at the national and international level

Dissemination, valorization and transfer

• Support RDI staff in the dissemination of RDI outputs to the market (licensing, selling, spin-off, etc.)
• Support RDI staff in the creation of spin-offs

Training

• Provide general support, guidance and training to researchers for their interactions with customers
• Keep abreast of RDI domains, project content and innovation developed in the GreenTech Innovation Centre, as well as the strategies of other RTOs/R&D institutions
• Keep informed about competitors, industry, societal and technology trends
• Maximize participation in LIST events
• Update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities, reading professional publications, maintaining personal networks, participating in the activities of professional organizations

 

Profil

 

Education

• Master’s or PhD degree in a scientific, technological or engineering field relevant to the GreenTech Innovation centre, e.g. biochemistry, biotechnology, bioengineering,  molecular biology, environmental science or engineering
• Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) is desirable but not mandatory

Required seniority

• Proven experience in the broader sector of biotechnologies and/or environmental technologies with direct experience in partnership and business development
• Track record in the acquisition of clients and development of industry collaborations
• Understanding of current market trends in industrial and environmental biotechnologies in Europe
• Strong existing industrial network in industrial and environmental biotechnologies in Europe; international network considered as asset
• Experience in working with IP protection, IP rights law and IP policy
• Expertise in licencing and negotiating (Technological Transfer)
• Past experience in a Research and Technology Organization is considered an asset
• Entrepreneurial experience or track record in launching new businesses (launching own projects or helping others) is considered as an asset

Competencies

• Be results-oriented: achieve concrete results, involving a range of different colleagues from researchers to management and administrative staff
• Be a self-starter that is well organized, efficient with excellent time management skills and capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously
• Demonstrate business responsiveness and a strong experience in the management of partnerships and marketing in a public research or industrial research environment
• Have the capacity to forge strong relationships, build trust with clients, drive value, and develop lasting business partnerships
• Strong communication skills and are keen to collaborate with the staff of the GreenTech Innovation Centre
• Strong interaction with the other members of the business development team and diverse project teams
• Be motivated in working in a customer-oriented technological research organization

Language

• Excellent command of English
• Excellent knowledge of German and French is considered as a strong asset

Contact

Candidates interested in the above position can apply online on our website www.list.lu The application file should include:

• A CV
• A motivation letter