EXTERNAL FUNDING SPECIALIST (2 positions)
The University of Helsinki is strengthening its innovation activities and the societal impact of its research. The strategic priorities include increasing RDI (Research, Development, and Innovation) collaboration with companies, supporting the creation of new student- and research-based companies, establishing open research infrastructures and experimental environments, and enhancing the university's innovation culture.
The University of Helsinki is seeking
TWO (2) EXTERNAL FUNDING SPECIALISTS
for the Innovation Unit within University Services.
Please indicate in your application which role (1 or 2) you are applying for.
Role 1. Specialist (HiLife)
This role is fixed-term position for three years.
Your role involves initiating externally funded projects focused on innovation activities, corporate collaboration, and ecosystem development in collaboration with university researchers and external partners. Your responsibilities include active participation in the development of project ideas, building and leading consortia. Additionally, your duties may include project management and implementation of funded projects.
The position requires strong knowledge of funding instruments, especially Horizon Europe (particularly Pillar 2 - Global Challenges and Industrial Competitiveness, and Pillar 3 - Innovative Europe), as well as practical experience in project development. The role will primarily focus on innovation projects and collaborations in the Helsinki Institute of Life Science’s (Hilife) operational units (BU, FIMM, NC).
Successful execution of this role requires the ability to work independently, vision and expertise in creating winning project proposals, a willingness to explore various content areas, and the ability to develop project collaborations with the university's scientific community and external partners.
Successful execution of this role requires the ability to work independently, a strategic vision for building winning project concepts, a willingness to engage with multiple content areas, and the ability to develop project collaboration between the university's scientific community and external partners.
Role 2. Specialist (Kumpula & Viikki)
This role is permanent position.
Your task is to develop projects funded by external sources (particularly Horizon Europe) that focus on innovation activities, corporate collaboration, and ecosystem development. This will be done in cooperation with university researchers and external partners. Your responsibilities will include actively participating in the refinement of project ideas, building and leading consortia. Additionally, your duties may include project management and implementation of funded projects.
This role will primarily focus on innovation projects and collaborations at the Viikki and Kumpula campuses. Success in this position requires the ability to understand the opportunities and limitations of different research fields to the extent that you can independently handle the necessary aspects of project development. A educational background or work experience in the relevant research fields of these campuses will facilitate this.
Significant project management expertise is required for this position. Experience in service design, familiarity with stakeholder facilitation methods, and knowledge of innovation development methods will be beneficial. Experience in research commercialization and innovation management is an advantage (e.g., previous research commercialization projects or building similar RDI projects). Project preparation work is primarily conducted in English, so fluency in both written and spoken English is essential. Additionally, having an extensive international network in relevant fields will be considered an asset.
Successful execution of this role requires the ability to work independently, a strategic vision for building winning project concepts, a willingness to engage with multiple content areas, and the ability to develop project collaboration between the university's scientific community and external partners.
Interested?
We look forward to receiving your application via our recruitment system by 22.4.2025 at the latest. The salary range for the position is approximately EUR 4300-4800 per month depending on your work experience. Please remember to indicate in your application which role (1 or 2) you are applying for.
For more information about the position, please contact Kalle Toivonen, supervisor for both specialists. Call on Wednesday 9.4.2025 between 13:00 and 15:00: 0294121599. Otherwise you can contact Kalle by email: kalle.toivonen@helsinki.fi
You will be asked to register in the system before you can apply. If you need help with the recruitment system, please contact: recruitment@helsinki.fi.
We welcome applicants from a variety of gender, language, cultural and minority backgrounds. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, need assistance or require an adjustment to the recruitment process due to a disability, please do not hesitate to contact us: Human Resources Specialist Martina Westman: martina.westman@helsinki.fi.