R&D Team Manager Membranes, Separations & Chemistry

VITO, one of Europe’s leading research centers with 1,300 employees, transforms scientific insights into groundbreaking technological innovations, AI-driven solutions, and policy advice. We do this with one clear goal: to help the world thrive for at least another 1,000 years.

As a science-to-technology partner, we support businesses, governments, and society in their transition toward sustainability. With our multidisciplinary approach and unique laboratory, scaling, and testing infrastructure, we develop practical technological innovations. We accelerate progress toward a regenerative economy within the planet's boundaries, prioritizing electrification and circularity. Additionally, we create smart climate solutions for resilient and secure ecosystems and promote a healthy living environment where people, industry, agriculture, and nature coexist in harmony.

Our employees work in multidisciplinary expert teams across more than 40 research domains. They leverage our unique laboratory and data infrastructure, as well as our extensive network of innovation partners. Through positive transition thinking and in-depth techno-economic analyses, we develop solutions that are not only effective on paper but also in the complex reality of everyday life.

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

R&D Team Manager

Membranes, Separations & Chemistry

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.

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. 

To strengthen our team we are looking for a R&D Team Manager to lead a sub-team of MESCH researchers, engineers and lab technicians and actively engage in the acquisition and execution of both bilateral industrial and publicly co-funded research projects on membrane technology.

Besides a focus on membrane technology, it is anticipated to expand the MESCH scope to a broader toolbox of separation technologies. It is part of this new role to support this strategy and help building capabilities, expertise and partnerships for new separation platforms beyond membrane technology.

Key responsibilities

• You will manage a MESCH sub-team (~10-15p), including day-to-day supervision, coaching and motivation of team members, with a solid focus on team deliverables and personal development of the team members.

• Your team will be part of the larger MESCH research group (led by the Program Manager) and as an R&D Team Manager you will promote and boost collaboration among the teams and experts to achieve mutual goals and enhance overall effectiveness of the group.

• You’ll oversee the operational follow-up of research projects with the team, including resource allocation and scheduling, considering capacity, knowledge, skills and experience. You manage this in close collaboration with the Program Manager and unit’s project management office.

• Based on trends and needs in the outside world, you provide input for & validate our strategic roadmaps on our membrane processes and products, as well as support the strategic growth of the team into novel advanced separation technology domains.

• Identify and secure funding opportunities that align with the team’s strategic objectives.

• Lead the application process for national and/or international projects from idea and consortium development, to writing and finalizing applications together with industry and research partners.

• You will additionally still assume the role of project leader of industrial projects and/or strategic research programs on (membrane-based) separation processes for the chemical industry, including, planning, budget ownership, co-ordination of execution and reporting.

• As an expert in the field, you have established a network of stakeholders in the field, like companies, other RTO’s, funding agencies, etc. and you actively seek for opportunities to further expand this network.

We believe the right candidate for this job should have:

• a PhD or Master in (bio)chemical or mechanical engineering, or alternatively organic chemistry, with relevant industrial experience in process technology.

• relevant experience in people management (direct or indirect)

• relevant experience in project/team management (scope, budget, timelines, risk management,…), including a certain level of system savviness, complemented with enthusiasm to closely interact with the researchers and technicians on their experimental lab work, data analytics and reporting.

• active, natural-born networker, energized by external outreach and project acquisition.

• team player skills

• a good eye for quality & deadlines.

• a customer-oriented mind-set and a creativity to translate customer needs in product development plans.

• a strong interest in cooperation with other partners (industry, SME’s, institutes, universities)

• preferably a track record in and applied knowledge of advanced separation processes.

• relevant industry experience is an important plus.

• experience with publicly (co)funded projects is a plus.

• knowledge on membrane synthesis is an asset (ceramic and polymeric membranes)

• a good knowledge of English, both written and spoken

• willingness to travel abroad (project driven, on an ad-hoc basis).

What we offer

• You will become part of a growing research organization with a strong international reputation, known for its groundbreaking technological research and scientifically backed advice.

• You will personally contribute to sustainable developments at local, national, and global levels through pioneering innovative applications. In doing so, you help provide solutions to pressing societal challenges.

• A competitive salary, supplemented with various additional benefits, including allowances, insurance, and a flexible vacation package.

• Innovation is our greatest asset. That’s why we offer our employees ample opportunities to learn and further develop their skills.

• At VITO, we work in an activity-based manner. Your activities determine your workplace, with the possibility of working from home (e.g., one day per week). Your primary physical workplace will be in Mol, with occasional presence required at our other locations.

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