Manager - Research Support Office (f/m/d)

at  Silicon Austria Labs

YOUR PROFILE

• Minimum of graduate degree in technical or scientific subjects; a PhD degree in engineering or physics or similar fields is desirable
• Several years of professional experience as a grant officer/advisor or similar role is an advantage; at least three years of previous experience in managing research projects; experience in managing or facilitating Austrian and/or European research grants is a plus
• You bring a broad and strong industrial and/or academic network proven by joint collaborations or projects, and can show a track record of successful grant applications and advising on funded R&D projects/collaboration schemes
• You are a strong communicator and skilled in conveying messages in a coaching style while maintaining a good relationship.
• You have extensive experience and affinity with supporting and motivating research professionals but also are service- as well as results-oriented.
• You are acquainted with academic research funding programs in general and know about the reporting challenges and complexities that can come with them as well as possess excellent knowledge of the current funding landscape
• You like to work in an international context, cooperating with many project partners from diverse backgrounds (such as academia from other countries, SME and multinational companies, governments and others)
• You like to work in an independent and proactive manner, have a supportive mindset and are a natural networker with great personal skills to motivate others.
• You function well in multi-disciplinary teams. Like the expert role and possess the ability to effectively manage a broad range of projects with competing deadlines.
• Willingness to relocate to Austria

ABOUT US

Silicon Austria Labs (SAL) is a top research center for Electronics and Software Based Systems (ESBS). At three locations (Graz, Villach, Linz), SAL is conducting research along the entire ESBS value chain in the areas of sensor systems, power electronics, intelligent wireless systems, microsystems and embedded systems to develop future-oriented solutions for industrial production, health, energy, mobility, safety and more. SAL brings together key players from industry, science and research and thus valuable expertise and know-how and conducts cooperative, application-oriented research along the value chain. Cooperative projects are co-financed by SAL and enable a fast and unbureaucratic project start. SAL is thus shaping the high-tech location Austria and Europe and developing the future
Innovation is our top priority and so are our employees. We are a family-friendly company and support the compatibility of work and family as much as possible. That is why we have been awarded the Work and Family Certificate until 2026. But we are constantly working on new measures to offer our employees an environment where they feel good, healthy and motivated

SAL’s Research Support Office (RSO) accompanies projects from the idea to project planning, the application and bidding phase (pre-award), supports the start and during the implementation phase (post-award) to project completion and the exploitation of research results and technologies. As an interface to industry, other research institutions and funding authorities, it facilitates SAL´s Research Units R&D excellence and supports all forms of technology transfer.
You will work closely with SAL´s Researchers and Project Managers, other experienced members of the RSO team specialized on grants, SAL Management and relevant financial and administrative contacts of SAL to advance, support and guide SAL´s acquisition and implementation of research and in particular its research-related grants and/or collaborations with Industrial Partners.

Your responsibilities include:

• Identification of strategically relevant trends and decisions of funding organizations with a focus on the EU and research grants calls or project opportunities relevant for SAL´s research groups.
• Contribute to the co-development and implementation of the long-term strategic vision for research, ensuring alignment with the organization’s goals and objectives, with a focus on third-party collaborations.
• Advise and provide support regarding research funding, innovation funding and application within the framework of competitive national, EU or international funding programs and SAL´s collaboration schemes
• Support in the conception and preparation of a variety of proposals, ranging from grants to collaborative proposals and facilitate international project consortium-building, for the purposes of successful grant and project intake.
• Collaboration in the compilation and, selectively, on coordination of international and national consortia (e.g. with partners in scientific collaborations)
• Build good relationships with the funding agencies, develop and maintain expert knowledge on research grants together with the entire team and researcher community
• Support Project management and administration of funded projects, ensuring PM´s excellent project delivery and business success. e.g. contracts, content-related project controlling facilitation, preparation of reports, maintenance of databases and interfaces, etc.
• Interface to other departments such as legal department, human resources, controlling, etc. and connect researchers within SAL to facilitate interdisciplinary research
• Communication with national and international partners as well as Project Officers of the funding agencies
• Collaboration in the design, support and implementation of internal SAL programs
• Conception, organization and implementation of information and training/teaching events