Are you passionate about enabling world‑class research and helping top academic talent secure major funding? Do you thrive in complex, collaborative environments where strategy, content and stakeholder management come together?
At Erasmus University Rotterdam, you will play a key role in strengthening our position in major national and international research initiatives. As a Collaborative Proposal Development Partner, you work closely with leading researchers to shape high‑impact proposals, build strong consortia and guide ideas from early concept to successful submission.
This is a unique opportunity to combine strategic thinking, hands‑on proposal development and close collaboration with academic leaders, while contributing directly to the success and visibility of EUR’s research.
As a Collaborative Proposal Development Partner, you support researchers in securing funding for major collaborative research programmes at both national (e.g. NWO, NWA, Zwaartekracht) and European level (e.g. Horizon Europe, MSCA‑DN, EIT, IHI).
You typically work on 6–8 large proposals per year, often where EUR acts as coordinator. In close collaboration with lead researchers, you help shape proposal strategies, build consortia and guide the full development process from idea to submission.
You are part of the Major Research Initiatives Grants team within Engagement & Research Services (ERS), working alongside proposal developers and closely collaborating with project managers, legal experts, data stewards, business developers and communication advisors.
In this role, you take ownership of the proposal development process and act as a trusted partner to researchers, combining strategic advice with hands‑on execution.
Your main responsibilities are:
- Act as a trusted partner and right hand to lead researchers in preparing major collaborative research proposals
- Identify and match strategic funding opportunities with academic talent
- Guide the full proposal process: concept development, consortium building, writing coordination and submission
- Ensure proposals meet the highest standards in terms of quality, structure and compliance
- Advise researchers, teams and faculties on long‑term strategies and positioning for major funding
- Collaborate with faculty grant advisors and internal experts to strengthen proposals
- Build and maintain relationships with external partners and stakeholders to support consortium development
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of processes and ways of working within the ERS Grants team
- Share knowledge and expertise with colleagues across the organisation
Required experience, skills and competencies:
- The ambition and willingness to work towards capacity building the university to become increasingly more successful and ambitious in the field of grants;
- Several years (3+) of relevant work experience in supporting and advising in the application of NWO and/or Horizon research grants.
- The ambition to take on the significant challenge of coordinating consortia of intersectoral, interdisciplinary, international stakeholders as they work towards a major collaborative grant. Prior experience will be viewed positively;
- A proactive attitude and proven capability to build trust in collaborations;
- Excellent verbal and written command of English and Dutch (level C).
We offer you an internationally oriented and varied job in an enthusiastic team, with excellent working conditions in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU).
The start date of this position is 1 August 2026 or a mutually agreed upon date, and you will be based at campus Woudestein in Engagement & Research Services (ERS). This position is for 0.8 fte – 1 fte. The salary is dependent on your experience and knowledge and ranges from a minimum of € 4 728 to a maximum of € 6 433 gross per month Scale 11 on a fulltime basis (38 hours), in accordance with the CAO‑NU. The contract is offered for a period of 1 year and can be converted into an employment contract for an indefinite period if suitability is proven and if continued in the same position, if (financial and/or organizational) circumstances remain the same.
Benefits include:
- Good work‑life balance: the option to work from home in consultation with your manager, 41 days of paid leave with a 40‑hour contract, 8% holiday pay and an 8.3% end‑of‑year bonus, and a significant discount on a subscription for our on‑campus sports centre.
- Moving to the Netherlands for your job with EUR? Then you may be eligible for the Expat‑ruling if you meet the requirements of the Belastingdienst (Dutch tax agency), and with our Dual Career Programme we will also help your partner find the right job for them.
Please submit your application, consisting of a motivation letter and CV, before the vacancy closing date.
Your motivation letter should place your professional track record into the context of your personal drives, ambitions and experiences. Please also describe how the Proposal Development Partner role would fit in with your past experiences and how it would benefit you.
The selection procedure consists of 2 interviews. In case you are invited for the second round you will be asked to prepare a short assignment. Interviews are expected to be held on 1 July and 8 July.
Persons of all gender identities or expressions, sexual orientations, religions, ethnicities, ages, neurodiversities, functional impairments, citizenships, or any other aspect are welcome to apply and join the EUR community.
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