Domain Lead Logistics

imec EDiT

As a high-tech research centre that is partially publicly funded, imec carries a responsibility to ensure global as well as local impact. imec’s EDiT (Enabling Digital Transformations) department plays a prominent role in realising local impact by conducting demand-driven R&D, in collaboration with authorities, other imec divisions, (academic) research institutes, companies, and citizens’ organisations. Our mission is to tackle so-called “wicked problems” in domains such as smart cities & regions, mobility & logistics, public health & sustainable environment. We are guided by an “Open for Impact” vision, which puts an emphasis on open knowledge, open source, and open data. Our research programmes include Physical Internet Living Labs, Sytadel, Mobilidata, Cityflows, VLOCA, and Nervocity – read more about these and other activities on https://www.imec.be/nl.

What you will do

As a senior member of EDiT’s Mobility & Logistics cluster your role is to follow-up on the state-of-the-art of sustainable and resilient Freight Transport & Logistics regarding the current and future wicked problems and the specific nature of the ecosystem. Based on this knowledge, you define a strategy regarding EDiT’s specific role and contribution to the digital transformation of Freight Transport & Logistics, our position in the ecosystem, what wicked problems we will focus on and what (potential) solutions eg synchromodality, physical internet, digital twins, data spaces we support and (co-)develop. You are responsible for defining a strategic roadmap for Freight Transport and Logistics and to disseminate it with internal as well as external stakeholders. You assist the shaping team (business development) in finding ways of funding the development and realization of this roadmap and you align this roadmap with the cluster capacity and operational reality. 
Concretely you will:

• Work on strategic roadmap for Logistics & Transport in alignment with the program lead Mobility & Logistics, defining:
  • What wicked problem(s) (challenges and opportunities) we focus on? 
  • Which solutions or solution components do we contribute to in the light of the specific wicked problem(s)?
  • Ecosystem & stakeholder map indicating key relationships and roles for achieving our strategic roadmap (and how we position ourselves in this ecosystem).
  • A timeline with a list of concrete deliverables and objectives (with KPI's and metrics) which allows to measure success in creating local impact.
• Manage the dissemination of the strategic roadmap to internal and external stakeholders.
• Align and inform the strategic roadmap with the Solution Lead(s) of the technological solution(s) that are in scope of your wicked problem(s).
• Prioritize business development or “market shaping” opportunities and define their scope based on the strategic roadmaps of the strategic roadmaps of the domain and of the focus solutions.
• Assist the EDiT Shaping team in finding ways of funding to realize the strategy and in writing of the proposals.
• Oversee the scope and use cases definition of projects in line with the strategic roadmaps of the cluster or solution domain.
• Align with project managers to ensure that the project delivery and outcomes of projects are in line with and contribute to the strategic roadmaps of the cluster or solution domain.
• Assist the EDiT management in defining the way in which domain knowledge is increased and kept up-to-date among the Logistics team and in EDiT as a whole;
• Contribute to the forecast on needed resources and corresponding skills in line with the strategic roadmaps and (pending) projects. 

What we do for you

In exchange for your talent, passion, and expertise, imec offers you a demanding high-tech environment and a stimulating diverse culture. EDiT’s main offices are centrally located in Ghent & Antwerp, but we are also present at imec’s HQ campus in Leuven. We embrace a hybrid working culture where teams and individuals are empowered to strike a balance between multi-site office presence and remote/home working.

As a Domain Lead in Logistics you will become part of EDiT’s team Mobility & Logistics, where we provide coaching, arrange training, fine-tune your role and responsibilities, and plan your career path together. Additionally, through our Community of Practice initiative you will regularly interact with other developers, architects, designers, and user researchers across EDiT and imec.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and proud of our open, multicultural, and informal working environment with ample possibilities to take initiative and show responsibility. We commit to supporting and guiding you in this process; not only with words but also with tangible actions. Through imec.academy, 'our corporate university', we actively invest in your development to further your technical and personal growth. 

We are aware that your valuable contribution makes imec a top player in its field. Your energy and commitment are therefore appreciated by means of a market appropriate salary with many fringe benefits. 

Who you are

Must-haves (the essentials):

• A profound interest in research & innovation with societal relevance in the domain of Freight Transport and Logistics.
• In-depth knowledge of challenges and opportunities in this domain on a local, regional and (inter)national level combined with a strong understanding and vision of how digital innovation can transform these challenges and opportunities into smart solutions.
• Proven track record with innovative, technological solution development and implementations in the Logistics & Transport context such as synchromodality and physical internet, and optionally in data spaces and digital twins.
• Strong ability to translate abstract research concepts into practical and applied improvements in a real-world environment.
• Knowledge of the evolution in policy, regulations and (data) standards in the domain of Logistics & Transport on local, regional and European level.
• A solid network in this domain: companies, governments, public stakeholders, other research organizations – in Flanders and the ability to further strengthen that network with new partners and stakeholders.
• Excellent (public) speaking and presentation skills to translate, visualize and make comprehensible complex, ‘wicked’ problems.
• Perfect written & oral skills in Dutch & English (professional proficiency).
• Proposal shaping and writing skills.

Should-haves (a great candidate is familiar with most of these):

• Being able to come up with innovative, ‘out-of-the-box' solutions.
• Being able to motivate your team members with visionary ideas and thought leadership skills.
• Team player accustomed to Scrum or similar Agile processes.
• Ability to work and function in a matrix organization.

Could-haves (it is nice to tick a few of these boxes):

• Experience in designing business models in complex ecosystems.
• Affinity with open source.
• Experience with Design Thinking.