Project Leader – European Synthetic Cell Initiative

Your main task will be to work on a Horizon Europe project focusing on creating an European Innovation Ecosystem for Synthetic Biology. Aim of the project is to accelerate technology development from synthetic biology research in Europe, by stimulating mobility and exchange of knowledge, and by fostering entrepreneurship and innovation capabilities. 

You will work independently in close collaboration with the manager of the European Synthetic Cell Initiative (SynCellEU), which is the TU Delft partner in the project.  In this varied job you will be responsible for:

• The implementation of a SWOT analysis of the synthetic biology R&I field in Europe
• (Co-)Organizing visits, training, mentoring and exchanges targeted at (young) scientists and students
• Preparing reports on the activities, and when applicable present them at the progress meetings and consortium events.
• Collaborating with the other partners in the project, establish and maintaining contacts with external parties when needed.

• An academic degree. 
• Knowledge of - or at least affinity with- the field of synthetic biology. A PhD in this research field is a plus.
• Some working knowledge of valorisation and entrepreneurship in the academic field, from science to business.
• An excellent command of the English language, both written and spoken.
• Experience with working in an international environment, establishing and maintaining contacts.
• Strong analytic and planning skills
• Capacity to keep an overview or the whole, but at the same time an “hands-on” attitude.

We offer an appointment as Project Leader for a period of 2 years. Remuneration will be according to scale 10 of the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU) (salary min. €2.960,- to max. €4.670,- euros monthly on full-time basis). 

The appointment is for 0,6 fte (24 hrs) but there is the possibility to extend it to 0,8 fte (32 hrs) with additional tasks.

European citizenship or a Dutch work permit is required to apply (because of Dutch regulations).

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context. At TU Delft we embrace diversity and aim to be as inclusive as possible (see our Code of Conduct). Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Applied Science

With more than 1,000 employees, including 135 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,400 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we train students in broad Bachelor's and specialist Master's programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers and science communicators.

Department Bionanoscience

The Department of Bionanoscience focuses on the fundamental understanding of biological processes, from the level of single molecules to the full complexity of living cells. This research provides fascinating insight in the molecular mechanisms that lead to cellular function. Furthermore it enables the in vitro bottom-up construction of cellular machinery and it impacts applications ranging from biomolecular diagnostics to novel antibiotics and targeted nanomedicine. The department features a strongly multidisciplinary and international team of scientists, whose research areas include single-molecule biophysics, synthetic biology, as well as (quantitative) cell biology.

About the European Synthetic cell initiative (SynCellEU)

SynCellEU is an initiative of TU Delft, Max Planck Gesellschaft, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), the Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux energies alternatives (CEA) and Oxford University. SynCellEU is a network of world-leading European scientists from approximately 20 European countries in the field of Synthetic Cells. It is a highly interdisciplinary community that works on fundamental research with a potentially huge technological impact. In 2020, a SynCellEU Office was set up at TU Delft to coordinate the activities and to maintain increasingly intensive contacts with other stakeholders in Europe and internationally. More information on SynCellEU can be found at: https://www.syntheticcell.eu/

For more information about this job opening you can contact Stefania Usai, programme manager SynCellEU ([email protected]).     

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before 21 November 2022 via the application button and upload:

• a CV,
• a short statement of motivation,
• the name and contact details of 2-3 references. 

Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.

Your main task will be to work on a Horizon Europe project focusing on creating an European Innovation Ecosystem for Synthetic Biology. Aim of the project is to accelerate technology development from synthetic biology research in Europe, by stimulating mobility and exchange of knowledge, and by fostering entrepreneurship and innovation capabilities. 

You will work independently in close collaboration with the manager of the European Synthetic Cell Initiative (SynCellEU), which is the TU Delft partner in the project.  In this varied job you will be responsible for:

• The implementation of a SWOT analysis of the synthetic biology R&I field in Europe
• (Co-)Organizing visits, training, mentoring and exchanges targeted at (young) scientists and students
• Preparing reports on the activities, and when applicable present them at the progress meetings and consortium events.
• Collaborating with the other partners in the project, establish and maintaining contacts with external parties when needed.

• An academic degree. 
• Knowledge of - or at least affinity with- the field of synthetic biology. A PhD in this research field is a plus.
• Some working knowledge of valorisation and entrepreneurship in the academic field, from science to business.
• An excellent command of the English language, both written and spoken.
• Experience with working in an international environment, establishing and maintaining contacts.
• Strong analytic and planning skills
• Capacity to keep an overview or the whole, but at the same time an “hands-on” attitude.

We offer an appointment as Project Leader for a period of 2 years. Remuneration will be according to scale 10 of the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU) (salary min. €2.960,- to max. €4.670,- euros monthly on full-time basis). 

The appointment is for 0,6 fte (24 hrs) but there is the possibility to extend it to 0,8 fte (32 hrs) with additional tasks.

European citizenship or a Dutch work permit is required to apply (because of Dutch regulations).

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context. At TU Delft we embrace diversity and aim to be as inclusive as possible (see our Code of Conduct). Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Applied Science

With more than 1,000 employees, including 135 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,400 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we train students in broad Bachelor's and specialist Master's programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers and science communicators.

Department Bionanoscience

The Department of Bionanoscience focuses on the fundamental understanding of biological processes, from the level of single molecules to the full complexity of living cells. This research provides fascinating insight in the molecular mechanisms that lead to cellular function. Furthermore it enables the in vitro bottom-up construction of cellular machinery and it impacts applications ranging from biomolecular diagnostics to novel antibiotics and targeted nanomedicine. The department features a strongly multidisciplinary and international team of scientists, whose research areas include single-molecule biophysics, synthetic biology, as well as (quantitative) cell biology.

About the European Synthetic cell initiative (SynCellEU)

SynCellEU is an initiative of TU Delft, Max Planck Gesellschaft, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), the Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux energies alternatives (CEA) and Oxford University. SynCellEU is a network of world-leading European scientists from approximately 20 European countries in the field of Synthetic Cells. It is a highly interdisciplinary community that works on fundamental research with a potentially huge technological impact. In 2020, a SynCellEU Office was set up at TU Delft to coordinate the activities and to maintain increasingly intensive contacts with other stakeholders in Europe and internationally. More information on SynCellEU can be found at: https://www.syntheticcell.eu/

For more information about this job opening you can contact Stefania Usai, programme manager SynCellEU ([email protected]).     

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before 21 November 2022 via the application button and upload:

• a CV,
• a short statement of motivation,
• the name and contact details of 2-3 references. 

Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.