Knowledge and Innovation Officer

The DS&AI lab of the faculty EEMCS of the University of Twente has a pivotal role in establishing connections for collaboration within the faculty and between faculties. The focus is on all aspects of DS&AI, including research collaboration, professional development of faculty scientists, lifelong learning, and maintaining effective computing facilities at UT. The SME Data lab is one of the windows of DS&AI lab to society with the ambition to support regional SME in their endeavour to explore and develop the use of data-driven solutions for, e.g., production, supply chain, and financial systems. The SME Data lab is a joint initiative of Radboud University and the University of Twente.

Role
The knowledge and innovation officer is responsible for strengthening the innovation impact of the DS&AI and SME labs, taking into account both the internal profile of the DS&AI lab and the external profile of the SME lab. The knowledge and innovation officer actively engages faculty to develop knowledge networks and connects with SME to acquire and develop consultancy projects to be carried out by students under supervision of faculty. The knowledge and innovation officer develops and maintains a regional network of SMEs that aim to further develop their data-driven solutions. The knowledge and innovation officer focuses on delivering the key principles behind innovation, including leadership, creating networks, leveraging the right incentives, and building and managing an effective, transparent and efficient innovation process. Next to this, the knowledge and innovation officer supports the management of DS&AI and SME labs through the execution and supervision of strategic, operational, financial, and administrative tasks. The knowledge and innovation officer is part of a team of impact developers and knowledge and innovation officer in other labs, fields and disciplines. They collaborate with the faculty and departmental staff responsible for administration, legal and finance.

Tasks

• Managing relationships with SME and public sector partners in the Twente region, actively seeking out and acquiring new partners and organising stakeholder meetings and showcase events.
• Managing relationships with other labs on campus.
• Identifying research and innovation funding opportunities and supporting our researchers in submitting successful proposals, engaging with partners to ensure adequate co-funding of research proposals.
• Assists in developing professional development activities in collaboration with faculty staff.
• Assists in developing lifelong learning modules offered to the regional partners in collaboration with faculty staff.
• Assists in creating and maintaining effective computing facilities at UT.
• Orchestrating and supervising the impact and communication of the DS&AI and SME labs, amongst others via dedicated events, the press, the DS&AI and SME labs websites, newsletters, and social media, with the support of the university's communication department.
• Supervising administrative, legal, and financial processes related to the DS&AI and SME labs, contracts, business plans, and finances in collaboration with the faculty and departmental staff.
• Support the day-to-day management of the DS&AI and SME labs.