Would you like to facilitate open collaborations that lead to better human health?

 
We are looking for an experienced programme manager with a scientific background within Life Science for the Open Discovery Innovation Network (ODIN), which has been extended by the Novo Nordisk Foundation to the end of 2029.   
 
ODIN has pioneered a new and patent-free collaboration model, where industry and academia joins forces to solve unmet medical and industrial needs. By working openly and sharing our results with the public for anyone to use, we accelerate discoveries and provide the basis for innovative new drugs and diagnostics. We fund the best projects through competitive project calls within major threats to human health such as e.g. cardiovascular and infectious diseases. With the grant extension, ODIN grows to include 5 Danish universities as partners – and it is open to all interested companies in Denmark and internationally.
 

Experienced project manager/networker with a flair for structure and day-to-day administration

As programme manager of ODIN, you will be responsible for implementing the programme and collaboration model across the many new partners and reaching our goal of becoming a world leading hub for open innovation in life science.  You will be part of the ODIN Secretariat which is based at the AU Centre for Open Innovation in Science (AU OIS) at the Faculty of Natural Sciences. You report directly to the centre’s director. In addition to you, the ODIN Secretariat includes an administrative officer with specialized tasks within e.g. communications and data management.

As programme manager, you will be a key contact for ODIN´s industry members and the five partner universities (Aarhus University, Technical University of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, University of Southern Denmark and Aalborg University). Through matchmaking events and by drawing on your scientific background, you will help our participants find the right input and partners for their research ideas. Moreover, you will administratively support the funding calls in ODIN, through which the programme funds the best ideas from the matchmaking process.
 

Job description

In your daily work, you will take the administrative lead to run ODIN successfully. You will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of ODIN – and along with the rest of the team, you will help develop the ODIN concept even further. The role does not include personnel management.

Your tasks include networking-related tasks such as:

• Facilitating ideation, matchmaking and knowledge-sharing events in ODIN.
• Stakeholder recruitment and engagement.
• Coordinating and implementing the administrative processes in ODIN.

But it also includes administrative tasks such as:

• Carrying out competitive funding calls and supporting review processes, so ODIN can select and fund high impact research projects.
• Administrative support of the ODIN Steering Group and reviewing bodies (preparing meetings, materials, minutes etc).   
• Collecting and assessing progress reports from the funded ODIN projects.
• Budget management.
• Writing applications for continuing ODIN beyond its current grant period and scope.

Your profile

You have a scientific background, and preferably a PhD within life sciences that will help you engage with both pharma and biotech companies and academic researchers and carry out effective matchmaking. Your background will also help you review the scientific progress reports from funded projects.

You have demonstrated relevant experience as a project manager of open innovation programmes, including facilitation of interdisciplinary collaborations and complex stakeholder management. You have great collaboration skills – and you understand that our stakeholders in industry and academia have different preferences and ways of working and must be approached in different manners. You approach your administrative tasks in a timely and structured manner.

You have the ability to oscillate freely between academic and business environments without favouring any one stakeholder or field over the other. Previous experience with process facilitation and knowledge valorisation at Danish universities will be an advantage.   

The position includes occasional travels to the four partner universities, conferences and The Novo Nordisk Foundation to establish and maintain close collaboration.

You must be fluent in both English and Danish (orally and in writing) and be a confident public speaker.
 

In return we offer:

An interesting and challenging job in an international environment focusing on research, innovation and private-public collaboration for the benefit of patients, industry and society.

You will help develop a new take on open innovation – and make the already successful ODIN a world leading international hub.

You will be part of a team that values collaboration, knowledge sharing and professional growth. And you will have flexible working hours.
 

Terms

The position is a 4 -year and 2 months full time project employment. The expected start of employment is 1 November 2025. End date 31 December 2029.

If you have any questions regarding the position, please contact the Director of the AU OIS Marie Louise Conradsen, phone: 93508496, mail: mlco@au.dk
 

Place of work

The place of work is Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 120, Aarhus C.

Formalities and salary range

Salary and terms as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Unions.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.
 

Aarhus University

Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,300 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 935 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/