Innovation & Research Funding Manager

Vortex-CoLab

VORTEX-CoLab is a growing collaborative laboratory that combines academia and industry allies in an innovation framework to boost tech transfer in the areas of cyberphysical systems and cybersecurity. A. We're looking for an Innovation & Research Funding Manager to strengthen our Research & Innovation (R&I) ecosystem by identifying funding opportunities, building strategic partnerships, and leading the development of competitive national and European proposals.

WHO?

• VORTEX-CoLab is looking for someone who has:
• Master's degree in Engineering, Business, Management, Economics, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience preparing and managing proposals under National and European R&I funding programmes (e.g., Horizon Europe, Portugal 2030, PRR, EDF, Eureka, Eurostars).
• Strong understanding of the European and Portuguese Research & Innovation funding landscape.
• Proven experience building strategic partnerships and international consortia involving academia, industry, and public organizations.
• Strong proposal writing, project coordination, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to engage and influence stakeholders at different organizational levels, from researchers to executive management.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple funding opportunities simultaneously and work under tight deadlines.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Fluency in English.

What?

• As an Innovation Funding & Research Manager, you'll play a central role in shaping VORTEX-CoLab's research and innovation portfolio by securing competitive funding, fostering strategic collaborations, and supporting the growth of our Applied Research activities.
• Working alongside researchers, engineers, and management, you'll help transform innovative ideas into collaborative projects that generate scientific, technological, and business impact.

• How you can expect to fill your days:
• Monitor, assess, and identify National and European funding opportunities aligned with VORTEX-CoLab's research and innovation strategy.
• Build and maintain a robust pipeline of collaborative funding opportunities.
• Develop and strengthen relationships with industry, academia, research centres, public organizations, clusters, and innovation ecosystems.
• Identify and establish strategic national and international partnerships to support collaborative R&I initiatives.

• Create, coordinate, and manage consortia for competitive funding programmes.
• Lead the planning, preparation, coordination, writing, and submission of high-quality funding proposals.
• Translate research ideas, technological capabilities, and market needs into compelling project concepts and competitive proposals.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams throughout the proposal lifecycle, ensuring timely delivery and alignment across technical, financial, and management stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with funding programme requirements and internal governance procedures throughout the proposal process.
• Monitor innovation incentives and emerging funding instruments to maximize opportunities.
• Analyse technology trends, funding priorities, and market developments to identify future research and innovation opportunities.
• Represent VORTEX-CoLab at conferences, brokerage events, workshops, and networking initiatives, promoting our research capabilities and expanding our innovation ecosystem.

Why?

• At VORTEX-CoLab, innovation happens where research meets real-world challenges.
• You'll join a multidisciplinary team that combines academic excellence with industrial ambition, developing technologies that shape the future of cyber-physical systems, embedded intelligence, and cybersecurity.
• This is an opportunity to influence our innovation strategy, build international collaborations, and secure the funding that enables ambitious ideas to become impactful research and technology solutions.
• If you're passionate about European R&I programmes, collaborative innovation, and building meaningful partnerships that drive technological progress, we'd love to hear from you.

• REWARDS & BENEFITS
• - Health insurance for the whole family
• - Flexible working environment
• - Extra days off
• - Training opportunities
• - EU Salary Range: 25.000 EUR – 35.000 EUR (salary range can change if hired in at a different level)