Knowledge Transfer Officer

Your job

As a Knowledge Transfer Officer, you will play a pivotal role in contributing to the societal impact of Wageningen University & Research (WUR). Acting as a crucial link between academia and industry, you will leverage your expertise to drive innovation and translate research findings into tangible market applications. If this aligns with your skills and ambitions, this position could be the perfect match for you.

You will become part of the Knowledge Transfer Office, where you will support WUR’s mission to create meaningful "Impact" by translating academic research into practical, societal, and commercial applications. As the central hub for networking, the Knowledge Transfer Office serves as the first point of contact for external partners seeking access to our intellectual property (IP). In this role, you will facilitate partnerships between researchers, businesses, and other stakeholders to maximize the societal and economic benefits of research. The Knowledge Transfer Office also oversees a WUR-wide Proof of Concept Scheme designed to advance key IP. Your primary focus will be on identifying, screening, and supporting our Proof of Concept projects.
Your responsibilities will include:

• Advising researchers on diverse impact pathways;
• Coaching researchers on how to effectively engage and collaborate with external parties;
• Assisting researchers in transferring and commercializing their research outcomes through licensing, patenting, and the creation of spin-off companies;
• Supporting funding applications to facilitate innovation and development projects;
• Building and maintaining a professional network to foster partnerships and achieve tangible results.

You will work closely with researchers, project developers, legal experts, and business developers across the Sciences Groups. In this role, you will report directly to the Manager of the Knowledge Transfer Office.

Your qualities

You are someone who understands the language of both academia and the corporate world, adept at bridging the gap between research and practical application. With a commercial, results-driven, and service-oriented mindset, you balance these attributes with a deep respect for the academic environment. You are tactful, politically astute, and skilled at managing diverse and sometimes conflicting interests. Additionally, you demonstrate initiative, creativity, and a strong sense of responsibility, with excellent problem-solving abilities and capacity to independently shape public-private projects.

You possess:

• A university degree, preferably at Ph.D. level, in Biology, Chemistry or Molecular Life Sciences;
• Proven experience with academic knowledge transfer and pre-incubation support. Experience with the valorization of knowledge from the Social Sciences is a plus. Experience with developing, commercializing, and potentially implementing software innovations is a plus;
• A relevant network of businesses, knowledge institutions, and societal organizations, along with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships;
• Knowledge of intellectual property rights and licensing, with a willingness to further develop expertise in this area;
• Familiarity with, or expertise in, Dutch funding opportunities for innovation and startups;
• Effective communication skills in both Dutch and English.

You will work here
As Knowledge Transfer Officer, you will be a key contributor to the Knowledge Transfer Office within the department Co-creating Value & Impact. Established to provide institution-wide support, this corporate staff department encourages and facilitates the application of research results to society. The KTO, consisting of IP Managers, Programme Managers, Support Officers, and Knowledge Transfer Officers, is dedicated to managing IP, innovation, and spinoff processes for both Wageningen University and Wageningen Research.

This position requires on-campus presence due to the nature of the work. Embrace a dynamic hybrid work model, allowing the flexibility of remote work while committing to a minimum of 2 days on campus. You will be based in Wageningen.

Join a dynamic and collaborative team in a stimulating environment, where your work will contribute to innovations that shape the future!

We offer you

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;
• 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 8,3%;
• 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 € 3,868 and € 6,008 for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 11).

As for your contract, we initially offer a one-year contract with a minimum of 0,6 fte that can be extended - if possible within (company) organizational circumstances - on good performance.

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.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland and with your work you have a clear and positive impact on society. At WUR we work on the most pressing challenges of our time, like climate change and feeding the world in a sustainable way. 

Do you want more information?

For more information about this position, please contact Brechtje Vreenegoor, Manager Knowledge Transfer Office, Brechtje.vreenegoor@wur.nl 06-11778836.

For more information about the procedure, please contact Edvard Jongschaap, Sr Corporate Recruiter, telephone 0317 – 489 178 or email: Edvard.jongschaap@wur.nl

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

This vacancy will be listed up to and including Monday 6^th of January 2025. We hope to schedule the first job interviews in the week of Monday 13^th of January 2025.

Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.

We are

Wageningen University & Research
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, 7,700 employees (7,000 fte), 2,500 PhD and EngD candidates, 13,100 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.

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves and do not appreciate unasked for services from recruitment agencies. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.