At IXA-GO, we support researchers throughout the full lifecycle of their research — from securing funding to translating results into value for the market and society. IXA-GO brings together grant advisors, programme managers, business and impact developers, and other support professionals.

The Grants Office helps scientific staff apply for and manage European and Dutch research grants. To further professionalise our support for large, primarily EU-funded consortium projects, we are setting up a central Project Management Pool to support researchers and faculties with the project management of large European and national consortium projects. Most projects we manage have a consortium size of 7–12 partners and a total budget of €3.5M–€8M.

As Project Manager, you provide operational and administrative support to PIs, ensuring smooth delivery of complex, multi-partner projects. You join the Project Management Pool, working both independently and within a matrix team of project managers, programme managers, grants advisors, and project controllers, in close collaboration with the Pool's Coordinating Project Manager.

You work closely with coordinating PIs, who hold overall project responsibility. Your key task is to ensure projects deliver results and that risks are caught early. Funding sources vary — from national programmes like NWO Gravitation, KIC, and NWA-ORC to Horizon Europe instruments — each with its own rules. You maintain regular contact with funders' Project Officers to ensure accurate progress reporting and alignment on any project changes.

Specific responsibilities:

manage administrative processes across multiple projects, ensuring timely reporting and compliance
support PIs by leading operational, administrative, financial, and managerial coordination — freeing them to focus on the science
liaise with consortium partners and funders' Project Officers on progress reporting
provide logistical and administrative support for project and consortium meetings
mitigate project risks for VU by monitoring implementation against funding and consortium agreements
maximise use of the project budget, working closely with Project Control, Business Control, and department managers
coordinate support from other domains — Legal, Finance, HR, Ethics, Business Development. You're the spider in the web

Requirements

academic mindset, ideally from a research-intensive background, with a working knowledge of project management methods (planning, monitoring, communication, coaching)
strong, coaching-style communicator with a track record of supporting and motivating research professionals
skilled at coordinating multidisciplinary academic consortia and internal support functions (Legal, Finance, HR, Ethics, Business Development) across departments, faculties, and international partners
knowledge of Dutch and European research grants, e.g. Horizon Europe pillar 2, NWA-ORC, NWO KIC
independent, proactive, and adaptable, with the organisational sensitivity to balance researchers' needs with funder requirements
strong administrative skills — prioritising multiple deadlines and stakeholders, with accurate documentation and adherence to regulations
knowledge of financial management in academic settings: budgeting, grant compliance, reporting, and audits
excellent English and Dutch, comfortable in a digital working environment, and willing to travel for project meetings
PM certification (PRINCE2, PMP) or research management training is a plus

Contract terms

An exciting position within an international yet personal university. You are right in the middle of the students, on a green campus within walking distance of the Station Zuid(as). We also offer you:

a 12-month contract, with the possibility of extension (up to 48 months), depending on funding (in accordance with art. 2.3 sub 7a CAO NU).
a position as research project manager based on the university ranking system (UFO) of Knowledge Valorisation Officer 4 for a minimum of 0,9 fte
a salary of minimum € 3.706 (Scale 10) and maximum € 5.760 (Scale 10) gross per month, on a full-time basis. The exact salary depends on your education and experience
a maximum of 29 days of annual leave based on full-time employment (38 hours per week)
possibility of choosing an option from the Flexible Working Hours Scheme , which allows you 41 days of leave for a 40-hour work week
8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
space for personal development, including through membership to professional associations such as ARMA-NL and EARMA

Project Manager

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