Director of Science & Technology High Tech Industry

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Director of Science & Technology High Tech Industry

Full-time

TNO

5656 AE Eindhoven
T: +31 (0) 88 866 08 66
E: josta.vencken@tno.nl

Language: English / Dutch
Hours / week: 40, the possibility to work parttime (32 of 36 hours)

Location:

High Tech Campus 21, 25, 29 & 31

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The rapid development of technologies and the societal challenges of sustainability, health and safety are creating new opportunities for Dutch high-tech. TNO High Tech Industry (HTI) brings together expertise and talent to realize innovations that enable the sector to seize these opportunities.

Together with our partners, we realize technological and system innovations that enable high-tech companies to take indispensable and knowledge-intensive key positions within the global value chains in which they operate. We do this with the inventiveness, energy, and enthusiasm of more than 600 colleagues in nine research groups.

Leave your mark on these times and become Director Science & Technology at TNO High Tech Industry.

Read more about the TNO High Tech Industry Unit

What will be your role?
The management team of the unit HTI consists of the Managing Director, five market directors, the Director of Operations and the Director of Science & Technology. Together with eight principal scientists in the research groups, you form the unit's knowledge team. While they provide the in-depth knowledge and operational strength, you are the one who sets the strategic agenda and inspires, challenges, develops and coaches the team. It is your responsibility, in collaboration with this group of specialists, to stand side by side with the market directors. You do this to ensure a solid connection to market needs and developments.

Your goal is to maintain and develop an internationally distinctive and high quality knowledge base and technology portfolio for the innovation objectives of the HTI unit and our partners. You develop and realize a long-term strategy which is part of the HTI unit plan. You take a leading role in the operationalization of this long-term strategy. Ensuring the scientific quality and integrity of the work in the unit is an important element of the position.

As an in-house director, you strategically manage a portfolio of knowledge building programs (early research programs). Together with the management team, you evaluate the investments in facilities, collaborations and propositions from the perspective of our knowledge and technology ambition. Together with the knowledge team, you guide all knowledge and technology development through the TRL chain.

You follow all relevant developments in the field of science, technology and knowledge and technology needs at home and abroad and respond to them in a timely manner. You identify and create opportunities and look for ways to position TNO at the cutting edge of Science & Innovation. To this end, you create and strengthen connections with top scientists, educational and knowledge institutions and development partners in the Netherlands and abroad. You act as a figurehead and use that position to position TNO more strongly in society and among all partners. In this way you promote our drive and impact in the longer term.

The management team operates largely as one collaborative entity and team members also take joint responsibility for the unit's goals. You report to the Managing Director.

What we expect from you
To contribute with your conceptual, innovative vision to solutions that really create the future. And to be among the best in the world, together with dedicated professionals. You can see the bigger picture, set priorities and make the connection between the inside and outside world. You inspire, trust, and provide insight to internal and external stakeholders into each other's added value, enabling you to create and strengthen key collaborations.

You show inspiring leadership and serve as a role model for others. In this way you contribute to the optimal use and development of your colleagues’ talents and to a common result-oriented approach.

Key elements for this position are:
Acting in an entrepreneurial and commercial way: You build relationships with (new) partners, (inter)national companies, universities and (jointly) develop innovative programs. You are committed to developing partnerships for knowledge development. You make connections between research, the (commercial) market and the innovations TNO is working on and realize impact with concrete results in line with the mission, vision and strategy of the unit.

Inspirational leadership: You are an inspiring leader and are able to connect your partners within the organization, as well as in the sector, society, government, knowledge institutes and universities, to TNO's research and the societal goals it pursues.

Synergy and change management: You have a clear forward-looking vision for the unit, collaborate effectively to achieve goals, and understand the internal dynamics and politics of the organization. You are aware of changes in the external environment that may affect the organization. You have the ability to influence and inspire others.

External orientation: You are able to identify opportunities and take action to create value for the unit and TNO. You understand the connection between knowledge building, market trends and customer needs and this also determines your (strategic) decisions. You build and maintain valuable relationships within and outside the organization.

Innovation and adaptability: You have new ideas and see opportunities to meet challenges and can present them effectively to persuade others. You adapt to changing circumstances and are willing to try new approaches.

For this, we require you to:

have obtained a Ph.D. and have experience in Dutch science and technology program development;
preferably have experience with the full breadth of the knowledge and technology base of the High Tech Industry unit and deeper knowledge of multiple research areas of expertise;
have experience in (functional) leadership, development, coaching and assessment of employees;
have a broad and relevant (inter)national network in the field of science and innovation;
be able to oversee technologies and applications in essence at a high abstraction level, combine them and communicate about them well with highly educated specialists;
be a team player and a natural leader, enabling you to inspire and motivate others (both internally and externally);
have a highly developed sense of organizational sensitivity, political-administrative antenna and persuasiveness;
have an excellent command of written and spoken English, as you'll be working with international colleagues and partners.

TNO as an employer
At TNO, we innovate for a healthier, safer and more sustainable life. And for a strong economy. We’ve been making knowledge and technology available for the common good since 1932. Operating where wonder meets ingenuity, we’re driven to push boundaries. There’s plenty of room and support at TNO for your talent and ambition. You will work with people who’ll challenge you, inspire you and want to learn from you. Our state-of-the-art facilities are there to realise your vision. What you do at TNO matters: your impact makes a difference. Because with every innovation you contribute to tomorrow’s world.