Strategic Funding Officer for a world-leading quantum computing programme

KU – SCIENCE – NBI, Blegdamsvej; København; On-site; DKK 700,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

NQCP at the Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, seeks a Strategic Funding Officer to secure external funding and foster collaborations across academia and industry. The role spans pre-award support, fundraising strategy, and facilitation of interdisciplinary partnerships.

Key responsibilities include identifying opportunities, coordinating multi‑party grant applications, and writing proposals. Danish language ability is preferred; position may involve both university and Quantum

Qualifications

• Proven track record securing substantial grants.
• Ability to work in Danish preferred.
• Experience setting up and managing research consortia involving academia and industry.
• Experience in supporting research applications, including EU calls.
• Strong understanding of research funding mechanisms.
• Excellent project management and communication skills.
• Strong stakeholder management and ability to advance our mission.
• Ability to engage and collaborate effectively with researchers across disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Drive the programme’s external funding strategy for scientific and industrial collaborations.
• Collaborate across research groups and organizations in developing high-quality grant proposals.
• Carry out writing for project proposals.
• Coordinate large and multidisciplinary funding applications including financial and technical reporting.
• Build partnerships with external researchers, funders, and stakeholders.
• Work closely with both the strategy team and communications to align funding activities.

Skills

Grant writing

Stakeholder management

Project management

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Communication skills

Strategic funding

Networking

EU funding

Education

MSc or PhD in a scientific discipline

Job description

Strategic Funding Officer for a world-leading quantum computing programme

About Us

NQCP is an ambitious and diverse international programme, located at the Niels Bohr Institute at University of Copenhagen. We are building a world‑leading quantum computing programme, that will drive research and innovation at multiple levels, from developing scalable quantum processor technologies to solutions for the quantum‑classical control and readout interface, and all the way to quantum algorithms and applications.

The programme is supported by Quantum Foundry Copenhagen, a company focused on enabling QPU fabrication, and assembly and packaging technologies.

Our program mission is to develop fault‑tolerant quantum computing hardware and quantum algorithms that solve life‑science‑relevant chemical and biological problems.

About the Role

We are looking for a Strategic Funding Officer to support the programme in securing external funding and building impactful scientific and industrial development collaborations. The role combines scientific pre‑award grant support, strategic fundraising, and facilitation of interdisciplinary partnerships.

A key responsibility is to identify opportunities for synergy across research groups and bring scientists together to develop competitive collaborative and consortium‑based grant applications.

The role requires you to work at the intersection of university research, innovation and industrial chip manufacturing. The position will eventually cover activities in both organizations, and activities related to Quantum Foundry Copenhagen will be contractually specified.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive the programme’s external funding strategy for scientific and industrial collaborations. Identify and communicate relevant funding opportunities.
• Collaborate across research groups and organizations in developing high‑quality grant proposals.
• Carry out writing for project proposals.
• Coordinate large and multidisciplinary funding applications including financial and technical reporting.
• Build partnerships with external researchers, funders, and stakeholders.
• Work closely with both the strategy team and communications to align funding activities.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in securing substantial grants.
• Ability to work in Danish preferred.
• Experience setting up and managing research consortia involving academia and industry.
• Experience in supporting research applications, including EU calls.
• Strong understanding of research funding mechanisms.
• Excellent project management and communication skills.
• Strong stakeholder management and ability to advance our mission.
• Ability to engage and collaborate effectively with researchers across disciplines.
• MSc or PhD in a scientific discipline.

Personal Profile

You can conceptualize and drive a strategy forward. You are also scientifically curious, highly organized, and excel at connecting people and ideas. You enjoy working across disciplines and can translate funding opportunities into successful collaborative research initiatives.

The ideal candidate is deeply committed to our overall mission and brings a strong sense of ownership to their work. Rather than just fitting into a team, they actively raise the performance of those around them and take accountability for the success of both organizations.

We offer

A central role at the heart of NQCP’s mission, where you will help drive progress across two ambitious organizations. You will work closely with research and engineering teams, engage with key partners, and contribute to the broader quantum ecosystem. You will also have the possibility to engage directly in new collaborations established upon successful grant applications, e.g. as scientific coordinator.

Life in Denmark is supported with strong social services (free universal healthcare, free/subsidised language courses, paid parental leave, subsidised day care institutions and excellent public schools). Our work culture is highly egalitarian and prioritises work‑life balance. Dual‑career families are common, and workplaces offer flexibility to help balance exciting careers and good family time. Danish cities are known for excellent infrastructure, such as extensive bike path networks. We can also offer a thriving food‑scene, excellent museums, and beautiful natural scenery.

Terms of salary and employment

The employment and salary are made in accordance with the Circular on the Collective Agreement concerning academics in the state sector concluded between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations).

Employment will be as Special or Senior Consultant. The salary is based on seniority and negotiation for salary supplement is possible. You can read more about salary levels in the state sector www.loenoverblik.dk (in Danish). Expected starting date is 1 Febuary 2027. The working hours are 37 hours per week on average, and the working hours are flexible.

The position is limited to 31 December 2029, and the appointment will be subject to receipt of security clearance.

The University wishes to reflect the diversity of the surrounding society and encourages all qualified candidates, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position.

Further questions

Any questions about the position may be directed to CSO Jan Thomsen [e-mail] , Head of Commercial Anil Slipsager Thilsted [e-mail] or COO Helle Grunnet [e-mail]

The Faculty of Science at the University of Copenhagen – or SCIENCE – is Denmark's largest science research and education institution with 4,000 employees and 9,700 Bachelor and Master's students in 12 departments. The Faculty has an annual budget of DKK 3 billion.

Learn more about The Faculty of Science at www.science.ku.dk