Business Development Manager Sustainable Polymer Technologies

VITO is an independent Flemish research organisation in the field of cleantech and sustainable development. 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 achieve this by conducting innovative applied research in renewable materials & circular/biobased chemistry, water, energy, and a healthy living environment. VITO is organized into three business units, each focusing on a specific theme where impactful innovations are developed and brought to market.

Your role

As a Business Development Manager within the Materials and Chemistry  unit, you focus on turning innovative technologies into market-ready solutions with strong societal impact. You have a deep understanding of industry needs and work closely with researchers to translate these needs into targeted technology developments. You help to bring these technologies to the market through co-development, licensing, and technology transfer collaborations with industrial partners.

You will work closely with the Sustainable Polymer Technologies team and align on a daily basis with its Program Manager. Your focus will lie on translating ideas into actionable development and valorisation plans, identifying the right partners, and concluding win-win license deals and/or co-development agreements with industrial partners.

As a member of the Business Development Team you report directly to the Valorisation Director of the unit. You will gradually broaden your view on the technology portfolio of the Materials and Chemistry unit and across different VITO units to explore synergies and potential R&D collaboration topics.

Key responsibilities:

• Identification of market needs and mapping of technological solutions
  Identify current bottlenecks and unmet needs in renewable processes and materials through close interaction with industrial partners and technology & market intelligence providers. Translate these bottlenecks into concrete technology development opportunities for discussion with the Sustainable Polymer Technologies team.

• Conduct on a regular basis market and technology intelligence analyses, based on industrial contacts, conferences, trade shows, market studies, industry networks, patent monitoring and scientific literature.

• Prospection for and contributions to R&D proposals

  Proactively contact companies to identify new R&D opportunities and to develop joint R&D projects. Provide advice on potential funding opportunities on a regional or international level.

• IP and valorisation strategy
  Define and implement a valorisation strategy for the Sustainable Polymer Technologies team. Work closely together with the team to identify patentable technology approaches and define appropriate IP protection strategies. Scout, approach and negotiate with companies that are potentially interested in co-development, IP licensing and/or technology transfer

Your profile

• Background in engineering or polymer science; in addition, a background in chemical processing and/or materials science (with proven experience in polymers) is very valuable.

• Strong technological background with the ability to quickly grasp and assess innovation potential. You have a nose for identifying industry needs and can translate these easily into clear and sound technology development needs.

• Commercial and business development minded: networking and relationship-building come naturally to you.

• Experience in contract negotiations and/or R&D proposal writing.

• Familiar with intellectual property (IP) and IP valorisation.

• Fluent in English, written and spoken; Dutch or German is a strong asset.

Our offer

• A competitive salary with a comprehensive benefits package

• An activity-based working model: The research team is located in Mol, Belgium but partial work from home or one of VITO’s satellite offices is possible.

• A high degree of freedom and flexibility, enabling you to achieve a strong work-life balance.

• Opportunities for professional growth and training, keeping you up to date in your expertise.

• The chance to be part of an organization with an international reputation in advanced technological research and consultancy.

• The opportunity to actively contribute to sustainable developments at local and global level.