Unlock value from project outcomes and shape future innovation opportunities
Holomicrobiome Innovation Institute (HMBI) | 0,8-1,0 FTE | Amersfoort
We are building a national innovation platform focused on the power of microbiomes to improve human, veterinary, soil, and water health. The program supports collaborative projects that move promising ideas from early-stage research (TRL 2–3) toward applied innovation (TRL 4–6) and real-world impact (TRL7-9), supported by a data infrastructure that helps uncover deeper insights.
Central to this mission are:
- Concept Development – Centrally initiating, coordinating, bundling and integrating research and development that turns scientific insights into applied innovations.
- Open Data Sharing – Building a federated data space to enable responsible data integration and cross-project learning
- AI & Modelling – Using shared data to power advanced models that help describe and predict microbiome functioning: moving from association to causation to understanding mechanisms and organizing principles
To help realize this mission, we are looking for Impact Developers in one of two distinct roles: an Impact Developer “Microbiome innovations”, focusing on point 1 and an Impact Developer “Data ecosystem”, focusing on points 2 and 3. Both roles activate partnerships, unlock value from project outcomes, and shape future innovation opportunities. The two roles are described separately below; the terms of employment are identical for both.
About the program The institute and its activities are organized in four pillars:
- Data : foundational activities focused on data integration via a Data ecosystem.
- Accelerate : Dedicated innovation projects that will provide the IP, proof of concepts, products and that shows the potential for sustainable economic growth for the five domains.
- Transform : Living labs, valorization and outreach
- Academy : Human capital and training
Role 1: Impact Developer “Microbiome innovations”
About the role
As Impact Developer “Microbiome Innovations” you help connect the dots — across people, projects, ideas, and opportunities within dedicated innovation projects. This is a hands-on role for someone who not only understands how collaboration works but also jumps in to make it happen. You’ll work across the program with scientists, companies, entrepreneurs, policy partners, and funders to:
- Build strong public-private collaborations
- Support knowledge and technology transfer
- Promote data sharing and reuse
- Shape and co-write follow-up projects and proposals
But above all, you’ll help cultivate an innovative culture geared towards economic and societal impact.
Key responsibilities As impact developer microbiome innovations you will be part of the team of impact developers within Pillar 3 TRANSFORM, but work closely with our innovators from the Pillar 2 ACCELERATE. Your key responsibilities are:
Connect and strengthen the ecosystem - Facilitate connections between research groups, companies, and societal partners
- Spot shared interests or needs across projects and help shape joint opportunities
- Support alignment and community-building across disciplines and domains
Valorization & knowledge transfer
- Identify potential users or applications for early-stage concepts
- Define actionable transfer strategies for commercial and societal use
- Collaborate with Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) to support deal-making or spin-off creation
Hands-on funding and program development
- Scout and assess relevant national or international funding opportunities
- Lead, co-lead and co-write funding applications and support project plans, building bridges between technical and strategic inputs
- Shape future program directions based on gaps, successes, and emerging needs
Who you are
You bring experience and energy. You value trust, connection, and real progress. You want to make things better, contribute to real societal impact — and you’re ready to do the work. You combine strategic insight with operational action.
You likely have:
- A MSc in a life sciences domain or business domain; experience with microbiome research is an added benefit
- Experience working in multi-stakeholder collaborations, especially public-private partnerships
- Hands-on experience with knowledge transfer, early-stage deal-making or research valorization, or hands-on experience in writing funding proposals, structuring partnerships, or negotiating early-stage innovation deals
- Strong interpersonal, writing and communication skills – you’re a networker, translator, and facilitator
- A proactive, entrepreneurial mindset: you take initiative, make connections, and get things done
- An appreciation for people across all roles — from PhD candidates to policymakers
Don’t forget: we are building a complementary team of impact developers; so as long as you bring the right mindset, don’t hesitate to apply if you don’t have all qualifications listed.
Role 2: Impact Developer “Data Ecosystem” About the role As Impact Developer for the Data Ecosystem you help ensure our data ecosystem delivers long-term value to researchers and innovators in companies, knowledge institutes, and policy settings.
As Impact Developer “Microbiome Innovations” you help connect the dots — across people, projects, ideas, and opportunities within the dedicated innovation projects (Pillar 2 Accelerate). This is a hands-on role for someone who not only understands how collaboration works but also jumps in to make it happen. You’ll work across the program with scientists, companies, entrepreneurs, policy partners, and funders to:
This is a hands-on role for someone who not only understands how data collaborations work but also jumps in to make them happen. You’ll work across the program with data scientists, decision makers at companies, academia, policy partners, and funders within the Holomicrobiome ecosystem to:
- Connect and strengthen the Data ecosystem by involving stakeholders in co-creation from the start.
- Continuously assess and update the value proposition and corresponding business model for the Data ecosystem.
- Negotiate and manage agreements between the different stakeholders involved in the Data ecosystem with regard to pilot projects or longer-term collaborations.
- Promote data sharing and reuse within the overall Holomicrobiome ecosystem.
- Be on the lookout for additional mid- and long-term funding opportunities
Key responsibilities
As impact developer data ecosystem will be part of the team of impact developers within Pillar 3 TRANSFORM, but work closely with our developers, data scientists and modellers from the Pillar 1 DATA team. Your key responsibilities are:
Stakeholder management: - Identify potential users of the Data ecosystem by conducting market research, interviews and attending network meetings both organised by the Holomicrobiome Innovation Institute as well as external events.
- Organise intakes and trial sessions with potential users, both academic and industry, to identify the true value propositions of the Data ecosystem by providing feedback cycles towards the Data development team.
- Organise workshops and think tanks including bilateral “pilot projects” with industry and knowledge institute, to engage stakeholders with the Data ecosystem initiative
Dealmaking:
- Negotiate and close incentivising deals with providers of data sets such as other dataspaces and end-users.
- Help set-up a democratic governance (“afsprakenstelsel”) scheme for a federated Data ecosystem
Business model development and funding:
- Enable the valorization of new AI models and tools by ascertaining a suitable business model involving all stakeholders and continuously evaluate and refine the business model by e.g. keeping track of scientific and regulatory developments around AI and data worldwide.
- Scout and assess relevant national or international funding opportunities for future continuation of the Data ecosystem and its services.
Who you are
You bring experience and energy. You value trust, connection, and real progress. You want to contribute to societal impact — and you’re ready to do the work. You combine strategic insight with operational action.
You likely have:
- A MSc in a sciences domain or business domain
- Hands-on experience with dealmaking in a highly technical or data-driven environment
- Experience working in multi-stakeholder collaborations, especially public-private partnerships. You know how to work with both industrial partners and academic groups.
- Familiarity with data governance and FAIR data principles (or willingness to learn).
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills – you’re a networker, translator, and facilitator.
- A proactive, entrepreneurial mindset: you take initiative, make connections, and get things done.
- An appreciation for people across all roles — from PhD candidates to policymakers
What we offer (both roles)
- A meaningful, visible role in shaping microbiome innovation across sectors and domains
- A dynamic, purpose-driven environment at the interface of science, business, and policy.
- An opportunity for a steep learning curve and a deep-dive into the national network and ecosystem
- Collaboration with leading academic institutions, SMEs, corporates, government bodies and international data space initiatives
- A collaborative team culture where people share ideas, knowledge and success
- Appointment of 0.8 – 1.0 FTE for a year with the possibility of extension. Starting date is as soon as possible
- Depending on years of experience and responsibilities: gross monthly salary between 4.537 and 6.209 euro, excluding 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% end-of-year bonus
- Flexible working conditions: a hybrid situation is offered, with office location in Amersfoort (1 day/week) and Amsterdam (1day/week)
How to apply
Send your CV and motivation letter via tthe application button by November 15th 2026 , stating clearly which role you are applying for (“Data ecosystem” or “Microbiome Innovations”). Interviews will be scheduled on a rolling basis.
Join us Help us unlock the potential of microbiomes to improve lives, restore ecosystems, and drive innovation. As an Impact Developer, your work will translate ideas into action, and partnerships into progress — shaping the future of health and sustainability.
The Holomicrobiome Institute is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds.