Center Business Development Manager

**Description**:
VIB’s Innovation & Business team consists of IP, business development, new venture and discovery sciences professionals supported by a skilled administrative and paralegal team. The team is highly complementary and works closely together to create value out of the scientific inventions from the 10 different centres within the institute.

To further strengthen and expand its Tech Transfer activities in support of Scientists at the VIB Center for Structural Biology (CSB) in Brussels and the VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology (CMB) in Gent, VIB is recruiting a center Business Development Manager.

We are looking for a pro-active and enthusiastic professional, with preferably experience in industry, business or tech transfer positions in a relevant life sciences industry or research institute environment and a strong scientific and/or engineering background in technology platform development in the life sciences.

What you will do:

- Liaise and collaborate with the relevant researchers at the Centers for Structural Biology (located in Brussels) and Medical Biotechnology (located in Ghent), as well as VIB Innovation & Business colleagues in the IP management, Business Development, Discovery Sciences and New Ventures teams (located at VIB headquarters in Ghent). You will report to the VIB Head of Business Development.
- Maintain an overview of research conducted in the VIB Centers for Structural Biology and Medical Biotechnology (selection of PI’s) and identify relevant business opportunities
- Manage scientific, translational projects aimed at de-risking early scientific data to create assets that are ready for partnering
- Identify industrial research partners and /or licensees based on the centre’s patent portfolio, assets and research expertise
- Negotiate and draft agreements and term sheets with different academic and industrial parties
- Monitor the correct and timely implementation of agreements & contract follow-up (alliance management)
- Develop and maintain a network of international corporate, academic & research institute contacts

**Profile**:
Who you are:

- Ph.D. in a relevant life sciences or health related discipline or equivalent by experience.
- A (Bio)engineering background with expertise in technology platform development or equivalent by experience is an asset.
- Broad scientific background and strong interest in (the business aspects of) translational research
- Prior experience in a relevant life sciences industry setting, and/or experience at the interface between industry and academic research is preferable
- Experience in project writing and project management is an asset
- Experience in technology transfer, translational projects, business case development and analysis is a plus
- Ability to work independently as well as in cross functional teams
- Upbeat personality with strong interpersonal, presentation and communication skills
- Fluency in English (verbally and in writing) is essential, knowledge of Dutch is an asset.
- Strong analytical skills
- Attention to detail & capability to work towards deadlines

**We offer**:

- A professional and stimulating work environment at the cutting edge of translational science
- Flexible work arrangements
- An environment where colleagues take full ownership of projects and tasks and, as a team, guide them to success in a creative and innovative way
- An extensive network of (inter)national contacts
- Various opportunities to broaden your expertise and develop your career
- A compensation package based on expertise and experience

**How to apply?**:

- your cover/motivation letter
- your CV
- 2 references