Scientific writer / Advisor EU funding Maastricht Comprehensive Cancer Center

We are looking for an experienced Grant Advisor to secure European research funding, advise on grant applications, and build strategic partnerships within a dynamic academic environment.

Job Description
We are seeking an advisor with expertise in (EU) grant writing; a good scientific writer who can help our researcher in writing their grant applications.
As an (EU) grants advisor / writer, you will play an important role in supporting academic and medical staff in developing their grant proposal. You will develop research ideas into strong fundable grant proposals. You will work together with your other enthusiastic colleagues from GROW – Research Institute for Oncology and Reproduction and our colleagues from the Grants Office.

What you will do:

• Assist and support our researchers / clinicians and their team members with the preparation of research proposals, among which the European (Horizon Europe) funding calls and programmes. This includes:
  • Assuring compliance with the call funding policies and regulations
  • Preparing specific instructions for how to focus/structure the proposal
  • Being a sparring partner when writing the proposal.
  • Helping to revise drafts of the proposal and provide feedback (format, focus, language, etc.).
• Support researchers throughout the entire application process: from inception to submission.
• Proactively identify and evaluate European grant opportunities, as well as respond to researchers’ requests for grant information.
• Build and extend your network of internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide advice on building consortia.
• Monitor and follow-up on internal procedures.
• Collect and disseminate grant information relevant to the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML).
• Provide training and information sessions, within FHML and/or university wide.
• Liaise with Funding bodies.
• Work closely with colleagues within academic departments and the FHML faculty bureau where required.

Requirements
We are looking for a motivated professional who works independent and proactive and is always thinking three steps ahead. You have excellent communication skills and are a strong team worker. You have a positive attitude, can tackle complex situations, are collegial, flexible and have a strong sense of responsibility.

Qualifications

• A relevant academic qualification, preferably a PhD in Life Sciences.
• Fluency in English, with strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge of the funding landscape (regional, national, European) and familiarity with project management systems (e.g., EU portal).

Experience

• At least 3 years of experience in grant applications and funding advisory, preferably in an academic setting.
• Proven expertise in securing research funds, particularly European grants.
• Effective networking and relationship-building skills with internal and external stakeholders.11

Skills and Competencies

• Strong critical thinking, organizational, and collaboration skills.
• Proactive, results-driven, and able to manage multiple projects under deadlines.
• Innovative in grant strategies and sensitive to organizational dynamics.

What we offer
As a Scientific writer / Advisor EU funding at Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you:

• Good employment conditions. The position is graded in scale 10 - 11 according to UFO profile Knowledge Valorisation Employee, function level 3 or 4, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €3378,00 and €6209,00 gross per month (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.
• An employment contract for a period of 12 months with a scope of 0,8 - 1,0 FTE. Upon proven suitability, the employment contract will be converted to an indefinite contract. 
• At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model. 
• As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students. 
• Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as 'acknowledge and appreciate'. 
   

The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, click here.

Maastricht University
Why work at Maastricht University?
At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. The future of our students, as we work to equip them with a solid, broad-based foundation for the rest of their lives. And the future of society, as we seek solutions through our research to issues from all around the world. Our six faculties combined provide a comprehensive package of study programmes and research.

In our teaching, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Students work in small groups, looking for solutions to problems themselves. By discussing issues and working together to draw conclusions, formulate answers and present them to their peers, students develop essential skills for their future careers.

With over 22,300 students and more than 5,000 employees from all over the world, UM is home to a vibrant and inspiring international community.

Are you drawn to an international setting focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute however your skills and qualities allow? Our door is open to you! As a young European university, we value your talent and look forward to creating the future together.

Click here for more information about UM. 

Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences
At the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML), everything revolves around healthy living. Our research and education are not solely focused on recovery, but place a strong emphasis on prevention, health preservation, and health promotion. Our aim is to use our knowledge and expertise to genuinely contribute to the well-being of individual people as well as society in total. 

In, research, and healthcare, FHML is closely collaborating with the academic hospital in Maastricht, together forming the Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+).  FHML is strongly connected in education, research, and care with the Maastricht academic hospital, together with which it forms the Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+). 

FHML, which is the largest faculty of Maastricht University, is formed by an (inter)national community of employees and students. The faculty offers a wide range of Dutch and English-taught bachelor's and master's programs in innovative educational concepts in which the emphasis is always on building bridges to practice.
 

The multidisciplinary research of the FHML focuses on a number of carefully chosen topical current themes. In addition to research aimed at gaining new insights, it also concerns research whose results can be directly translated into concrete applications and innovations. The implementation of the various research programs is organized in our six graduate schools and two institutes. 
 

Department
GROW focuses on research and teaching of genetic and cellular mechanisms, as well as environmental and life-style factors that underlie normal (embryonic and fetal) and abnormal (cancer) growth. The emphasis is on basic and translational research, aiming at innovative approaches for individualizing prevention, patient diagnosis, and treatment for genetically determined diseases and cancer. Your workplace will be the research institute's business office where you will work very closely with our office managers, scientific director, managing director and 4 colleagues from the Finance department.

Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Judith Doomen, Managing Director GROW – Research Institute for Oncology and Reproduction via j.doomen@maastrichtuniversity.nl for more information. Do you have any questions regarding the procedure, please contact Manon Souren (Recruiter) at manon.souren@maastrichtuniversity.nl or phone number +31 634577732.

Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new Scientific writer / Advisor EU funding? Apply now, no later than 05 February 2025, for this position.

The first interviews preferably take place in the week of February 10th. The second interviews will preferably be held in the week of February 17th.

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.