EU Program Expert / EU Grant Advisor (with a preferable focus on Resilience, Security and Defense)

Introduction

Research Support Office

The Research Support Office (RSO) consists of a close-knit team of professionals who support the academic staff in both pre- and post-award phases of European, national, and regional research & innovation grants. The RSO team includes research funding advisors / program experts, program managers, project leaders, and a team of legal experts.

Research Support Network

The TU/e Research Support Network (RSN) is a comprehensive knowledge network on campus that supports researchers throughout all phases of their research & innovation projects. The RSN is organized into two tiers: the first tier consists of Departmental Project Development Offices (PDOs) who provide day-to-day support close to the researcher and Institute Program Managers (PMs) who support researchers from a thematic/strategic point of view. The second tier, that includes the RSO, consists of experts at central services who offer specialized support to both the first tier support and to researchers directly.

TU/e EU Action Plan

On the request of the Executive Board and as a deliverable of the TU/e 2030 Strategy, a new EU-strategy has been developed by a campus-wide working group, in cocreation with stakeholders at TU/e: the TU/e EU Action Plan.

Goal of the plan is to improve the way TU/e is engaging in EU-research & innovation programmes (e.g. Horizon Europe, European Defense Fund, Digital Europe) and to have an integral and coherent approach in which we closely cooperate on campus and where we learn and grow further together. In doing so, we will be compliant with all existing and new EC-regulations and requirements. 

The EU Action Plan, which has broad support on all levels within TU/e, is a dedicated and balanced improvement program in which needed new instruments (like info sessions, trainings, workshops, etc.) are being developed and implemented. The overall aim is that TU/e and its researchers and support staff will have a high return on effort and optimal visibility, participation and impact in EU R&I programmes.

To this end, amongst others, staff in four central services is being extended, including in the current grant support team of the RSO. The combined new staff is forming an inter-disciplinary cross-service EU Action Plan core team; this team closely collaborates with other staff in central services and with first tier support staff in the Departments & Institutes in various sub-projects towards achieving the goals of the EU Action Plan. 

Job Description

With the aim to further develop our core team, we are seeking an enthusiastic colleague to contribute to the successful execution of TU/e’s EU Action Plan. As one of the EU Program Experts / EU Grant Advisors you will provide academic staff and 1st tier support staff with strategic information in an early stage; you will support them in the entire process of call-selection, proposal-ideation, feasibility analyses, writing, reviewing and submitting proposals for European collaborative grants (such as Horizon Europe (mainly pillar 2), European Defence fund, Digital Europe). You will help setting up and running info sessions and a structured training programme for researchers, as well as a training programme for 1st tier support staff (train the trainer). You will help in extending well aligned external relations and cooperation of the RSN with our strategic partners (such as the EuroTech Universities Alliance and our key industry partners). Importantly, you will also help in the development of improved procedures, toolkits, templates, etc. that are being developed in the context of the EU Action Plan.

You will be hierarchically positioned in the grant support team of the Research Support Office, but content-wise in day-to-day operations part of the interdisciplinary EU Action Plan programme-team. This role offers a high degree of diversity and autonomy within the team and the university.

Tasks
Specific tasks include:

• Inform the TU/e community of longer-term and strategic developments in the EU funding landscape, and what it means for TU/e (researchers).
• Alignment, memberships & advice on EU partnerships & associations.
• Represent TU/e in relevant national sounding board on EU-funding to influence future EU work programmes and to acquire early information and understanding of developments.
• Liaise with Dutch Government such as the ministry of Economic Affairs and the ministry of Defense on EU-funding related matters (e.g. Dutch delegates in the relevant EU Programme Committees).
• Identify and communicate (e.g. through information sessions) relevant EU funding opportunities, including background information, to the TU/e community.
• Help understand the why behind the calls and who has written them.
• Provide feedback on project ideas and perform feasibility analyses of project summaries.
• Coordinate proposal initiatives on campus.
• Answer questions and provide support in the proposal writing process.
• Provide constructive feedback on grant proposals to improve the quality.
• Provide 2nd line support to departments and institutes.
• Stimulate and support researchers to develop a personal EU-growth strategy and network (a.o. through the EuroTech Universities Alliance).
• Develop and provide structured training for researchers (together with PDOs) and support staff
• Collaborate with colleagues in the TU/e Research Support Network and Research Support Office, colleagues from other central services and stakeholders on campus (e.g. department- and institute directors).
• Help in providing high quality management information (such as Research Funding Analyses).

Job Requirements

For this role, we are looking for a colleague who:

• Is familiar with the European R&I programmes & institutions and has a relevant network.
• Has experience in supporting researchers in applying for grants, preferably EU grants (notably Horizon, EDF).
• Having a background, experience and/or network in the field of Resilience, Security and Defence is an advantage.
• Having hands-on experience working in or with industry is an advantage.
• Possesses an academic level of thinking and working.
• Is skilled in communication and proficient in conveying and sharing knowledge.
• Has experience in delivering presentations/workshops.
• Has strong written and verbal proficiency in English. Proficiency in Dutch is an advantage.
• Can motivate professionals and coordinate their activities.
• Is proactive, customer-oriented, analytical, results-driven, and a networker.
• Works independently and flexibly.
• Is a teamplayer who collaborates effectively with colleagues both within and outside the EU Action Plan team.

Conditions of Employment

An exciting position within an international yet personal university. You are right in the middle of the students, on a green campus within walking distance of the central station. Besides beautiful architecture, you will find varied workplaces and excellent sports facilities. We also offer you:

• A monthly salary of, depending on your knowledge and experience, up to €6,433 (scale 11 Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities) or €7,297 (scale 12 Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities) for a full-time position.
• In addition to holiday pay, a structural end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.
• A favorable arrangement for more holidays or a sabbatical.
• A selection model for additional fringe benefits.
• Working hours in consultation for an optimal work-life balance.
• Scope for your talent with advancement prospects and excellent development opportunities such as mentoring, workshops and coaching.
• Partially paid parental leave and reimbursement for commuting expenses, working from home and the internet.
• A generous employer contribution to the favorable ABP pension plan.

Here you can discover even more information about our conditions of employment. Build on your career at TU/e!

About us

Eindhoven University of Technology is a leading international university within the Brainport region where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to have more information about the position, please contact the hiring manager: Wilfried Reincke, Programme leader of the EU Action Plan, w.t.h.reincke@tue.nl. 

For questions about the application process or the conditions of employment, please contact HR Services on 040 – 247 4486, e-mail: HRServices.SupportUnits@tue.nl.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application

If you are interested, please use the ‘apply’ button to send us your CV and letter of application with your motivation and a description of your qualifications by Sunday 11 January 2026 at the latest. First round of interviews are foreseen to be held on Tuesday 20 January 2026.

Screening of candidates begins as soon as applications are received and continues until the position is filled. Where applicable, internal candidates will be given priority over external candidates where they are equally suitable.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Please note 

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. 
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Important for non-EU applicants: Please be aware that for this position, specific residence permit requirements apply. If you are a non-EU national, you may not be eligible to legally work in this role under current Dutch immigration regulations. We strongly advise you to contact our Staff Immigration Team (staffimmigration@tue.nl) before applying to check your eligibility and to receive further guidance.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.