Project & Community Manager - Smart Campus & Living Labs

TU Eindhoven (TU/e) is an international leading technical university specialising in Engineering Science & Technology. Located right in the city centre of Eindhoven, the TU/e campus is an open and accessible community for technological education, scientific research and knowledge valorisation. An attractive and lively hotspot in Brainport Region Eindhoven where students, researchers, entrepreneurs and high-tech companies meet and collaborate. Step into the world of tomorrow and participate in the development of innovative technologies and applications that offer solutions to major social issues. TU/e is the place ‘Where innovation starts’.

Job Description

Within the department Library and Information Services our program and project management team is currently thriving The Smart Campus & Living Labs (SC&LL) program as TU/e aims to transform our campus into a living laboratory, where researchers, students and our real-estate and facility management organisation can experiment with new, cutting-edge technologies. Researchers use our campus as a test-bed and showcase for their innovation. Students engage in Challenge-Based Learning and test their solutions in real-life conditions. Service departments build a smart campus by developing solutions that make our campus become more sustainable, efficient and increasing the overall User Experience of people on campus.

The SC&LL program is one of the 6 programs of the Digitization strategy of the TU/e. The program is steered by the director of Library and Information Systems (LIS) and of Real Estate, and chaired by Isabelle Reymen, also Scientific Director of TU/e innovation Space.

Key to achieve the aims of the SC&LL program is a central data platform that we are realising at the moment together with an IT partner. This cloud-based data platform can offer researchers, students and service departments real-time access to data coming from various sensors within our campus buildings, outside environment and other IoT sensors. This requires not only connecting the IoT-data using standard interfaces but also building an efficient process to obtain the necessary permission from data/building owners, privacy & ethics, or other stakeholders that need to be involved.

We are now at a stage where we can hook up more IoT sensors and data analytics to the platform, with the goal to improve sustainability, optimize operations, and foster innovation. By engaging our community in real-world experimentation, we create a dynamic environment for research, learning, and societal impact.

Example Projects that can be considered for our program:

• connecting sensors that measure occupancy in various spaces, to optimize use of e.g. lecture rooms and meetings rooms;
• connect sensors for temperature, humidity, CO2 levels, lighting usage, and HVAC systems (in combination with occupancy measurements) to improve energy efficiency and occupant comfort in campus buildings;
• develop smart parking solutions on campus by installing sensors and implement smart navigation solutions;
• install sensors for various predictive maintenance tasks;
• monitor and improve environmental quality on campus, including air and water quality;
• connect sensors of Living Labs set-up by researchers and teachers.

The Job:
We are looking for a highly motivated and skilled IT savvy Project & Community Manager to play a crucial role in expanding and enriching our Smart Campus & Living Labs ecosystem. You report to the Smart Campus & Living Labs program manager, Rein v.d. Bosch.

In this exciting and multifaceted position, you will engage in:

Project Management

• Lead the development and implementation of projects that integrate data from various sources across our smart campus into a central cloud-based data platform. This includes data from IoT sensors, building management systems, and other relevant sources, and BI-dashboards that display relevant information;
• Manage projects that become part of the Smart Campus & Living Labs programme; you are the interface between the IT-partner that builds the platform and interfaces, the internal IT organisation, procurement of sensors, and stakeholders from various parts of the university (service departments, real-estate, researchers and teachers from departments);
• Collaborate with researchers and students on projects that require campus data for innovative research and educational purposes;
• Oversee project budgets, timelines, and deliverables, ensuring successful project execution and stakeholder satisfaction.

Community Management

• Build and grow an active user community of Living Lab practitioners across different departments and faculties;
• Coordinate and support existing Living Labs, providing guidance, resources, and networking opportunities;
• Stimulate the development of new Living Labs, identifying opportunities (ideas and funding) for innovative research and experimentation in real-world campus settings;
• Engage with campus users, researchers, and external partners to promote the Living Lab concept and facilitate collaboration;
• Develop and implement strategies to enhance the visibility and impact of the Smart Campus & Living Labs program. 

Job Requirements

• Master's degree in a relevant field, such as engineering, computer science, information management, or urban planning;
• Proven experience in project management, preferably in a technology-driven environment;
• Strong understanding of IoT technologies, data management, and smart building concepts;
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and community-building skills;
• Has a strong drive and ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team;
• Has a good understanding of innovation ecosystems;
• You have a strong ability to inspire and encourage others, with the ability to communicate at academic level;
• Can deal with uncertainties and has an entrepreneurial mindset to help us develop a living lab community;
• Enthusiasm for innovation and a passion for creating a sustainable and engaging campus environment.

Conditions of employment

• A monthly gross salary of minimum €4.537.- to maximum €6.209,- for full-time 
  employment, depending on your knowledge, proven experience and level of education 
  (salary scale 11 collective labor agreement for Dutch Universities).
• We also offer attractive secondary benefits, such as 41 days of vacation for a 40-hour 
  week, 8% holiday allowance, 8.3% year-end bonus, a generous employer's contribution to 
  the ABP pension plan, a selection model for conditions of employment, childcare on the 
  campus and excellent sports facilities.
• 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.
• Upon starting, we initially offer a one-year contract, with the prospect of indefinite 
  employment after two years.

More information and application

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to have more information about the position, or for questions about the application process or the conditions of employment. Please contact Rob van der Linden, Senior Recruiter on r.m.e.v.d.linden@tue.nl.

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. The closing date of the vacancy is: Friday 22nd of August.

Where applicable, internal candidates will be given priority over external candidates where they are equally suitable.

We look forward to receiving your application!