Strategic Research Project Manager – EU Grants

Vrije Universiteit; Amsterdam; Hybrid; EUR 41,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

12-month contract with extension up to

ARMA-NL and EARMA membership

Annual leave up to 29 days

Flexible Working Hours Scheme with 41+

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is seeking a Project Manager to join the central Project Management Pool, providing operational and administrative support to PIs across multiple European and national consortium projects.

You will coordinate with coordinating PIs, funders, and internal teams to ensure timely reporting, manage budgets, and mitigate risks while supporting the delivery of complex, multi-partner initiatives.

Qualifications

• Academic mindset with knowledge of project management methods (planning, monitoring, communication, coaching).
• Proven coaching-style communicator supporting research professionals.
• Experience 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, and adaptable with organisational sensitivity.
• Strong administrative skills with deadline and regulatory adherence.
• Knowledge of financial management in academic settings: budgeting, grant compliance, reporting, and audits.
• Excellent English and Dutch; digital working environment; willing to travel.
• PM certification (PRINCE2, PMP) or research management 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; you're the spider in the web.

Skills

Academic mindset

Coaching-style communication

Multidisciplinary coordination

Dutch and European grants

Independent and proactive

Administrative skills

Financial management in academia

Excellent English

Excellent Dutch

PM certifications (PRINCE2/PMP)

Education

Master's or PhD in related field

Tools

PRINCE2

PMP

Job description

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is seeking a Project Manager to join the central Project Management Pool, providing operational and administrative support to PIs across multiple European and national consortium projects.

You will coordinate with coordinating PIs, funders, and internal teams to ensure timely reporting, manage budgets, and mitigate risks while supporting the delivery of complex, multi-partner initiatives.