Knowledge Transfer Officer/Business Developer Digital

We are seeking a Knowledge Transfer Officer with affinity for in data/software/computer models to join our Corporate Value Creation team (CVC) at Wageningen University & Research. As a Knowledge Transfer Officer you play a critical role in driving value creation across the organization by identifying and prioritizing opportunities for leveraging computer models and other data-related tools.

You will be part of Corporate Value Creation with a close tie to the Wageningen Data Competence Center . Value creation (valorization) is a core task of Wageningen University & Research (WUR) alongside education and research. WUR aims to generate maximum impact by being part of the public debate and valorizing its knowledge on socially relevant topics such as food security, circular production systems, the nitrogen dossier, and animal health and welfare. The Corporate Value Creation (CVC) department works across WUR to support, stimulate, and facilitate all scientists and groups in this core task. The Knowledge Transfer team consists of 9-10 colleagues who work on internal scouting/screening of WUR knowledge, guiding towards impact, supporting valorization subsidy applications, and providing education/outreach and training of scientists on valorization and impact.

Your duties and responsibilities include:

• Offer support on value creation cases (knowledge transfer) with computer models and other data-related tools, to WUR research groups and individual researchers. This includes designing business models and value propositions, conducting customer validation, developing IP(R) protection strategies, and acquiring funding for further development. 
• Scouting and screening: proactively reaching out to and building relationships with WUR groups and individual researchers to identify potential opportunities for value creation.
• Work closely with key stakeholders across the organization to ensure effective exchange of knowledge and explore new value creation opportunities. These include WUR research groups, project leaders from investment programs, and the Wageningen Data Competence Center.
• Organize and host workshops related to data science & AI, and oversee new knowledge developed in this area.
• Contribute to the development & documentation of best practices for value creation with computer models and other data-related tools.

You will work closely with colleagues from the Wageningen Data Competence Center (WDCC), Corporate Value Creation, Business Development and researchers specialized in data sciences.

You have the ability to work independently and as part of a team, have a self-starter mindset, with a creative and flexible approach to solving challenges.

You also possess:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant field (e.g. computer science, data science, IT management, business administration, or related discipline).
• Knowledge about or affinity with computer models and data-related tools, as well as experience working with different stakeholders to drive new market opportunities through these tools.
• 1-5 years of proven experience in a similar role, with a strong background in business development and/or knowledge transfer.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and project management skills.
• Strong networking skills and ability to connect with various groups and institutes to explore new market opportunities.

In our international working environment there is an increasing amount of communication in English. For this position it is about language level C2 If you do not yet have this level, we will of course help you and you can go to our language center Wageningen in'to Language

You can see that there are plenty of challenges ahead of you. These challenges can also be seen as development opportunities. So if you do not yet have the track-record required in the vacancy, but do have solid work experience, we would also like to invite you to apply.

You will work here
See in how the department helps through this link in our annual highlights.

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment . A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• the option to accrue additional compensation hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed December bonus of 4%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. We offer, depending on your experience, a competitive gross salary of between €3.527 and €5.479 for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 11). Additionally, a contract for 32 hours can be discussed. You will initially receive a temporary 18 month contract, dependent on mutual enthusiasm and funding possibilities, the position will be extended with an open-ended contract.                                                                                                   

Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a multi-faceted position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.

Our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling. For instance under the "30% rule", certain categories of international staff can receive tax exemption on approximately 30% of their gross salary.

For more information about this position, please contact Yannick van Gelder, Coordinator Value Creation, telephone +31614603309,  or by e-mail [email protected]

For more information about the procedure, please contact Maud van Boxel, HR advisor, [email protected] .

Do you want to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on this vacancy page  which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including Monday April 10th 2023. We hope to schedule the first job interviews on Tuesday April 11th in the afternoon. However, if this timeframe does not suit you, we can schedule the interview on a different day.

Equal opportunities
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) employs a large number of people with very different backgrounds and qualities, who inspire and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organisation and be offered the same career opportunities. We therefore especially welcome applications from people who are underrepresented at WUR. For more information please go to our inclusivity page .
A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment .

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,200 employees (6,400 fte) and 13,200 students and over 150.000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video to get an idea of our green campus!

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.