Business Development Manager Membranes, Separations & Chemistry

VITO, one of Europe's leading research centres with 1,300 employees, turns scientific insights into groundbreaking technological innovations, AI based solutions, and policy advice.  We do so with a single objective: to help the world thrive for at least a 1,000 more years.  

As a science-to-technology partner, we support companies, governments, and society in their sustainability transition. With our multidisciplinary approach and unique lab, scale-up, and testing infrastructure, we create practical technological innovations. We accelerate progress towards a regenerative economy within the planetary boundaries (prioritising electrification and circularity), smart climate solutions for resilient and secure ecosystems, and a healthy living environment harmonising humans, industry, agriculture, and nature. 

Our staff collaborate in multidisciplinary expert teams across more than 40 research domains, utilising our unique laboratory and data infrastructure, as well as our extensive network of innovation partners. Through positive transition thinking and comprehensive techno-economic analysis, we develop solutions that are effective not only on paper but also in the complex realities of everyday life.  

To support and strengthen our growth, we are looking for a

Business Development Manager

Membranes, Separations & Chemistry

About the team

Within the MatCh (Materials & Chemistry) unit, we investigate the use of non-fossil, mineral and circular raw materials to make industry more sustainable and enable new value chains.

Also, existing industrial processes are reconsidered to make them more cost, energy, and material efficient. Advanced material shaping, separation technologies, chemistry, electrochemistry, and bioprocess technology are the key focus areas to enable this.

We are convinced that besides technological innovations, broader societal innovations among policymakers and companies are crucial in this transition.

The MESCH (Membranes, Separations & Chemistry) team develops industrially viable membrane processes for the intensification of chemical processes in industry. Our approach allows companies to de-risk their developments by demonstration of relevant and economically viable membrane-based separation processes from lab to pilot scale. In support of the process applications, the team also focuses on membrane synthesis/development, both polymeric and ceramic.

Membranes and membrane processes are of great value in the transition towards a more sustainable chemical industry, because of their broad application area, their low energy consumption, and their usefulness in continuous chemical processes at every scale. 

About the role

As Business Development Manager within the Materials and Chemistry unit you help bring technologies developed at VITO to the market. This is done by co-developing innovative products and services with partners and transferring technology and know-how to companies.

As a member of the Business Development Team, you report to the Valorisation Director. You will mainly support the business development and commercial activities of one or two specific technology teams within the unit. You will gradually broaden your view on the technology portfolio of the unit and across different VITO units to explore synergies and potential R&D collaboration topics.

You will work closely together with the MESCH team specialized in membrane & advanced separation/conversion technology. One of the valorization priorities of the team is to deliver on the commercial plan, consisting of a diversified strategy balancing strategical partnerships and tactical project collaborations. Focus of this role will go towards securing a solid pipeline of tactical collaborations for the related technologies, from prospection over acquisition up to (support of) project execution.

• You will support the team by:

• Familiarizing yourself with the key technologies (f.i. membrane & advanced separation/conversion, polymer film casting,...), competences and intellectual property within the team as well as the current application areas and related products and services.

• Following-up contacts and contracts with existing industrial partners together with the Lead Scientists and the team Program Manager to prepare follow-up contracts to bring the technology to a higher readiness level and finally to the market.

• Pro-actively monitoring selected key accounts.

• Actively participating in external and internal networking activities to scout for new contract research opportunities in existing or new application areas.

• Taking the lead in the team valorisation strategy, defining, executing, and evaluating a valorisation roadmap and commercial action plans.

• Initiating and supporting targeted marketing activities for specific products or services together with the Lead Scientists and the MarCom team.

• Supporting R&D proposal preparation with Lead Scientists and negotiating R&D contracts.

• Providing support in technology transfer and/or licensing negotiations in close collaboration with the team Program Manager, our IP Management and Tech Transfer Office.

• Regular reporting on the status of the contract research portfolio and valorisation tracks to the team and the Valorisation Director.

About you

• You hold a master’s or PhD degree in Chemical or Materials Science or Engineering.

• You have experience in a commercial, business development or valorisation role for R&D or innovation.

• You are familiar with protection and valorisation of intellectual property.

• You can analyze market and technology trends and customers’ needs and translate these into innovative solutions for services and/or products.

• You are a strategic thinker, skilled in customer relationship and key account management.

• You can translate strategies into goals and concrete actions, proposals and plans.

• You enjoy working with colleagues from different fields and can adapt your style of interaction and way of working to the situation at hand.

• You have excellent communication and networking skills and are a promoter for internal and external collaborations.

• You are fully proficient in English. Proficiency in Dutch is a plus.

What we offer

• You will be part of a growing research organization with a strong international reputation, known for its cutting-edge technological research and scientific based advice.

• You will contribute personally to sustainable developments at the local, national and global level through breakthrough innovative applications. In this way, you help to provide answers to contemporary important societal challenges.

• A competitive salary supplemented with various extra-legal benefits including allowances, insurances and a modular holiday package.

• Innovation is our most important asset, so it goes without saying that we give our employees the opportunity to learn and further develop themselves.

• We work ‘activity-based’ within VITO. Your activities determine your work location, with your home office as a possible work location (e.g. 1 day a week). Work location in case of physical presence is mainly in Mol and only occasionally in our other offices.

• We highly value a good work-life balance and are open to supporting your specific needs in this regard.