Project Portfolio Manager 'Digitized Products' - Kortrijk, België - Flanders Make

Beschrijving

Company

You define a research strategy and manage a portfolio of research projects. You inspire and lead Flanders Make principle investigators in the definition and the execution of research projects.

Matching state of the art technologies with the needs of the leading companies in Flanders is key for Flanders Make research. Currently we are setting the standards for groundbreaking technologies that could speed up and radically improve cyberphysical systems' design and operation.

In the research track "Digitized Products" we are exploring how to develop the next generation of intelligent cyber-physical systems. We cover a wide range of applications: such as agricultural machines, industrial machines, automotive, off-road working vehicles , ...

• Can we get new insights by analyzing the operational data?
• Can we automate the way the customers give feedback on the operation of their machine?
• Can we provide design support for the next generation of improved machines?
• Can machine operation be optimized by capturing human operators know-how?

The end game: new methods, software, and tools for designers and operators of cyberphysical systems.

Together we will radically change the way next-generation cyberphysical systems are being conceptualized, developed, validated and continuously improve their operation

• Topics include: eg. learning from field data, failure analysis and anomaly prediction, generative, discriminative and predictive AI, knowledge graphs efficient test and optimization methods,... .

Function

Lead of the research track

As lead of the research track "Digitized Products" you would manage collaborations with multiple research departments (which we call 'core labs') in the Flanders Make network and industrial stakeholders to perform excellent research.

Within the domain of your research track, you will be responsible for:

• the definition of new research projects, involving Flanders Make research labs and companies;
• the successful execution of research projects;
• the coaching of project managers in both the definition and the execution of projects;
• creating synergies and promoting collaborations. You will organize thematic workshops with companies.

For a selection of 1 or 2 strategic basic research projects you can dive deeper into the topic. For about 50% of your time, you will take the operational and technical lead of projects. You manage the expectations of both industrial and academic stakeholders and steer the technical rollout with a team of researchers from different backgrounds.

"I enjoy the technical talks with project leaders, because it helps me understand the technical challenges of the industry and adapt the track's strategy based on the team's feedback, " Alexandru, research track manager."

Profile

Profile

You have

• 10 years of working experience in a research environment (in industry, research institutes, or universities); both in "definition" as in execution of research projects;
• The ability to relate research activities with clear industrial needs;
• Strong analytical and synthesis skills to create a clear management overview and summary of achieved results, next steps, risks and countermeasures within and across research projects;
• The ability to lead technical discussions with project leaders and experts; You are interested and able to quickly learn about new technologies in the research fields of Flanders Make, Digitized Products;.
• Technical understanding of new product development processes for cyberphysical systems and their control during operation;
• Technical experience with AI techniques, understanding its possibilities as well as its limits;
• An industrial mindset, you can understand the needs of companies and translate them towards the Flanders Make researchers.

You are:

• An engineer or have benefitted from a scientific master's study;
• Experienced in (the design and operation of) mechatronic applications;
• Strong in project and/or project portfolio management;
• Result-oriented. You enjoy the freedom and autonomy to work independently;
• An authentic leader who will encourage people to collaborate and achieve mutual benefit;
• Able to work within a complex stakeholder environment and, in such environment, to keep projects on track by exercising your influence and giving guidance in a non-hierarchical way.

Offer

Offer

• A job with impact on science and technology. You create leverage and synergies within Flanders Make and far beyond.
• The opportunity to develop yourself within its network of leading industrial companies, universities and research institutes;
• An open-minded, flexible and challenging working environment;
• A warm atmosphere and first-class colleagues;
• An attractive salary with fringe benefits.

Examples of technologies