Research Grants Project Manager

Vrije Universisteit; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 41,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

12-month contract

Extension up to 48 months

Salary Scale 10

29 days annual leave

Flexible Working Hours Scheme

Holiday allowance 8%

End-of-year bonus 8.3%

Professional associations: ARMA-NL and

EARMA membership

Job summary

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is seeking a Project Manager to join the central Grants Office Pool, supporting researchers and faculties with the management of large European and national consortium projects. You will provide operational, administrative, and financial coordination across multiple projects, liaising with PIs, consortium partners, and funders to ensure timely reporting and risk mitigation.

The role involves engaging with funders' officers, coordinating meetings, and leveraging

Qualifications

• Academic mindset with research background; knowledge of project management methods (planning, monitoring, communication, coaching)
• Strong coaching-style communicator with a track record of supporting and motivating research professionals
• Skilled at coordinating multidisciplinary academic consortia and internal support functions across departments, faculties, and international partners
• Knowledge of Dutch and European research grants (Horizon Europe pillar 2, NWA-ORC, NWO KIC)
• Independent, proactive, adaptable, with organizational sensitivity
• Strong administrative skills—prioritising deadlines and stakeholders, with documentation and regulations
• Knowledge of financial management in academic settings: budgeting, grant compliance, reporting, audits
• Excellent English and Dutch, comfortable in a digital working environment, and willing to travel for project meetings
• PM certification (PRINCE2, PMP) or training is a plus

Responsibilities

• manage administrative processes across multiple projects, ensuring timely reporting and compliance
• lead operational, administrative, financial, and managerial coordination — freeing PIs to focus on the science
• liaise with consortium partners and funders' Project Officers on progress reporting
• provide logistical and administrative support for project and consortium meetings
• mitigate project risks by monitoring implementation against funding and consortium agreements
• maximise use of the project budget, working closely with Project Control, Business Control, and department managers
• coordinate support from Legal, Finance, HR, Ethics, Business Development across functions

Skills

academic mindset

coaching-style communicator

coordinating multidisciplinary consort

knowledge of Dutch and European grants

independent and proactive

administrative skills

financial management in academia

English and Dutch proficiency

travel for meetings

PM certification / training a plus

Job description

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is seeking a Project Manager to join the central Grants Office Pool, supporting researchers and faculties with the management of large European and national consortium projects. You will provide operational, administrative, and financial coordination across multiple projects, liaising with PIs, consortium partners, and funders to ensure timely reporting and risk mitigation.

The role involves engaging with funders' officers, coordinating meetings, and leveraging