Project Manager – Collaborative R&D | Photonics, Superconducting & RF Technologies

What you will do

Strategic project leadership  

• Lead and represent our sector in strategic European and nationally supported collaborative R&D projects across photonics, superconducting and RF technologies.  
• Drive project execution in line with scope, schedule, budget, quality and reporting requirements.  
• Proactively manage risks, dependencies, resources and stakeholder expectations across the project landscape.  
• Ensure that imec's technical contributions are delivered, integrated effectively and translated into visible impact for the consortium and its stakeholders.  
• Represent our sector's expertise, contributions and strategic interests towards consortium partners, steering committees, funding bodies and other key stakeholders.  
• Align researchers, program leaders, portfolio managers and consortium partners around shared objectives and commitments.  

Proposal and initiative development 

• Identify and develop collaborative R&D opportunities aligned with our sector strategic priorities. 
• Support the creation of strategic high-impact collaborative project proposals together with our researchers and sector strategy office. 
• Contribute to the development of new strategic initiatives and collaboration frameworks. 

Project portfolio management 

• Manage a portfolio of related collaborative R&D projects, ensuring alignment with our sector's strategy, technology roadmaps and portfolio priorities. 
• Coordinate activities, resources, deliverables and partnerships across projects to maximize synergies, efficiency and impact. 
• Follow technology trends and maintain sufficient domain expertise to credibly represent and position imec's research and innovation activities. 
• Coordinate international consortia and establish effective governance, decision-making and reporting structures.  
• Define and manage the collaborative R&D roadmap across the photonics, superconducting and RF technology domains.   

Partnership management & Ecosystem engagement  

• Build and maintain strong relationships with industrial, academic and research partners across Europe. 
• Develop strategic partnerships that strengthen imec's position in the European innovation ecosystem.  
• Monitor European technology, funding and policy developments relevant to photonics, optical interconnects, RF, superconducting devices and advanced computing. 
• Represent our sector in European and national partnerships, steering committees, government boards, industry associations and collaborative innovation initiatives.  
• Help position imec in future strategic programs and research agendas.

What we do for you

We offer you the opportunity to join one of the world’s premier research centers in nanotechnology at its headquarters in Leuven, Belgium. With your talent, passion and expertise, you’ll become part of a team that makes the impossible possible. Together, we shape the technology that will determine the society of tomorrow.

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

• You hold an MSc or PhD in photonics, electrical engineering, physics, microelectronics, quantum technologies or a related field.  
• You have a strong technical background in optical interconnects, photonics, RF, superconducting technologies, quantum hardware or related semiconductor technologies.  
• You have proven experience managing complex, multi-partner R&D projects or collaborative research programs.  
• You are experienced in managing collaborative R&D projects supported by European or national funding programs, such as Horizon Europe, Chips JU, SNS JU or Digital Europe.  
• You combine excellent communication, stakeholder-management and negotiation skills.  
• You are a strong team player who builds trust across organizations and disciplines.  
• You combine technical understanding and strategic thinking with strong operational execution.  
• You are fluent in English and willing to travel regularly across Europe.