Project manager for international research projects

Partnerships and external relations; Motorvejskryds Aarhus Vest; On-site; DKK 550,000 - 750,000; Full time

Job summary

Aarhus University's Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering seeks an experienced EU project manager to lead international Horizon Europe projects. You will coordinate a large consortium, manage deliverables and reporting, and work with researchers, external partners and AU’s Partnerships and External Relations team.

The role focuses on driving development and execution of international projects, with frequent interaction across national and international partners.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with day-to-day management of Horizon Europe or Horizon 2020 projects, including reporting, deliverables and milestones.
• Experience coordinating contributions from partners in several countries.
• Ability to engage with technical content and discuss work with researchers on their terms.
• Experience with coordinating international research consortia.

Responsibilities

• Act as day-to-day operational point of contact for the consortium.
• Track deliverables, milestones and risks; chase and quality‑assure partner contributions.
• Prepare periodic and final reporting; coordinate financial reporting with partners and AU's research support office.
• Plan and run consortium, General Assembly and review meetings.
• Maintain the Consortium Agreement and data management, ethics, dissemination and communication obligations.

Skills

EU project management

Horizon Europe

International collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Academic degree in a relevant field

Job description

Project manager for international research projects

Are you enthusiastic about making a difference to large societal challenges such as green transition of energy, materials and food systems?

Do you have experience with research project management, funding administration and project development?

Do you know your way around a Horizon Europe project and do you enjoy being the person who keeps a large international consortium on track?

Do you thrive in a dynamic working environment, with multiple external and internal stakeholders?

Then we might be looking for you!

At the Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering at Aarhus University, we are busy conducting research on a broad range of topics related to green transition, sustainability and health. Our portfolio of EU-funded projects is growing, and we are therefore looking for an experienced EU project manager with international experience who can drive development and execution of international projects in close collaboration with researchers, external partners and the department’s Partnerships and External Relations team.

Expected starting date and duration

The position is a two-year fixed-term position starting on 1 January 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Job description

At Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, we are experiencing an increase in externally funded, international research and innovation projects. As project manager you will play a key role in managing and coordinating the department’s participation in such projects, in particular large Horizon Europe projects with multiple partners, where our department has a leading role.

Working closely with the scientific coordinator, you will:

• Act as the day‑to‑day operational point of contact for the consortium.
• Drive the coordination machinery: Track deliverables, milestones and risks, chase and quality‑assure partner contributions.
• Prepare periodic/final reporting, and coordinate financial reporting with partners and with the administrative and financial experts in AU’s central research support office.
• Plan and run consortium, General Assembly and review meetings: Agendas, minutes and follow‑up on decisions.
• Maintain the Consortium Agreement and support obligations on data management, ethics, dissemination, exploitation and communication.

In addition to this, you will:

• Support the department’s wider portfolio of international projects, being work package or task manager where relevant.
• Provide guidance and support to the development of new European grant proposals and the building of new consortia.
• Participate in and help organise externally oriented activities and events.
• Help shape the department’s way of working around externally funded projects, so that good practice is developed and shared.

The role is vested in the department’s Partnerships and External Relations team. The team supports our researchers within multiple aspects of externally funded research collaborations - from strategy development, visibility, partnership and project development to execution of complex projects. We are continuously developing our way of working to support increased activity level and creation of impact.

Qualifications

We are looking for someone who combines hands‑on experience of EU project execution with the ability to work comfortably alongside researchers in a technical field.

Technical qualifications:

• Academic degree in a relevant field (e.g., technical sciences, international relations etc.).
• Experience with the day‑to‑day management of Horizon Europe or Horizon 2020 projects; including reporting, deliverable and milestone tracking.
• Experience of working with international research consortia and of coordinating contributions from partners in several countries.
• The ability to engage with technical content well enough to quality‑assure deliverables and to discuss the work with researchers on their own terms.

Qualifications we regard as an advantage:

• Experience from the coordinator side of an EU project, rather than as a beneficiary partner only.
• Experience with proposal development, grant writing and consortium building.
• Familiarity with research areas related to the green transition; for example bioresources, biotechnology, chemical or environmental engineering.
• Familiarity with EU financial rules, cost eligibility and audit requirements.

Personal qualifications:

• Excellent communication skills, with fluency in English. Knowledge of Danish is an advantage.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple stakeholders and priorities effectively
• Service‑minded attitude, flexibility, and a collaborative approach to working in a team
• Ability to travel internationally as needed (few times per year).

Who we are

At the Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering we focus on living systems, the biology of organisms, efficient production, and transformation of chemicals, materials and energy. We translate knowledge within biotechnology, food technology, environmental technology, chemical engineering, industrial biotechnology, medical biotechnology and electrochemical engineering etc. more into new technologies and value‑creating solutions that can also be used in the business community.

Many of our research and development activities are based on companies' specific innovation needs or specialist application areas. Close collaboration with the public sector and private businesses ensures that the knowledge and technology generated in the department's research environments has a clear anchoring in reality and benefits the surrounding society. We also provide research‑based public sector consultancy and advice on technology in agriculture and food.

At the department, we educate BEng, BSc and MSc graduates in engineering for Danish society.

Read more about the department and sections here:

https://bce.au.dk/en/research/key-areas-in-research-and-development

Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering offers

• Opportunity to contribute to solutions of crucial importance to society and industry
• The possibility of being part of a dynamic research environment in rapid development
• An exciting, cross‑disciplinary environment with strong external partnerships with industrial and academic partners in Denmark and abroad
• A workplace characterized by professionalism, trust and healthy work‑life balance

Place of work and area of employment

The place of work Gustav Wieds Vej 10D, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark and the area of employment is Aarhus University, Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering.

Contact information

For further information, please contact: Deputy head of department, Thomas Lundgaard, [phone] / [e-mail]

Application deadline

9 November 2026.

Formalities and salary range

You will be employed as an academic staff member at basic salary grades 4–8. For the right candidate, there will be an opportunity to be appointed as a Special Consultant, with remuneration in accordance with Appendix 4 of the collective agreement.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.