Would you like to facilitate open collaborations that lead to more sustainable and plant-based foods?

We are looking for an experienced programme manager for the Plant2Food programme that has been extended by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. 

Plant2Food has pioneered a patent-free collaboration model, where industry and academia join forces to solve need-driven research questions. By working openly and sharing our results with the public for anyone to use, we accelerate discoveries and provide the basis for innovative new, plant-based food systems.



Job description

As programme manager, you will be a key contact for Plant2food´s industry members and the four partner universities (Aarhus University, Technical University of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Wageningen University & Research). Through matchmaking events and by drawing on your scientific background, you will help our participants find the right input and partners for their research ideas. Moreover, you will administratively support the funding calls in Plant2Food, through which the programme funds the best ideas from the matchmaking process.

In your daily work, you will take the administrative lead to run Plant2Food successfully. You will be responsible for the day-to-day operation – and along with the rest of the team, you will help develop the programme even further with new participants and funding model(s). The role does not include personnel management.

Your tasks include networking-related and administrative tasks such as:

• Facilitating ideation, matchmaking and knowledge-sharing events in Plant2Food.
• Stakeholder recruitment and engagement.

• Carrying out competitive funding calls and supporting review processes, so Plant2Food can select and fund high impact research projects.
• Coordinating and implementing the administrative processes in Plant2Food across partner organisations.
• Administrative support of the Plant2Food Steering Group and reviewing bodies (preparing meetings, materials, minutes etc).   
• Collecting and assessing progress reports from the funded Plant2Food projects.
• Budget management.
• Internationalizing Plant2Food and developing a sustainable funding model for the programme beyond 2029 – including new collaboration partners and funding bodies.
• Writing applications for continuing Plant2Food beyond its new grant period and scope.

Your profile

You have a scientific background, and a PhD within life science/food science that will help you understand and engage with the many companies and academic researchers and carry out effective matchmaking between ideas/challenges and the relevant competencies. Your background will also help you review the scientific progress reports from funded projects.

You have demonstrated relevant experience as a project manager of open innovation programmes, including facilitation of interdisciplinary collaborations and complex stakeholder management. You have great collaboration skills – and you understand that our stakeholders in industry and academia have different preferences and ways of working and must be approached in different manners. You approach your administrative tasks in a timely and structured manner.

You have the ability to oscillate freely between academic and business environments without favouring any one stakeholder or field over the other. Previous industry experience from the agrifood sector will be an advantage.   

The position includes occasional travels to the four partner universities, conferences and The Novo Nordisk Foundation to establish and maintain close collaboration.
You must be fluent in both English and Danish (orally and in writing) and be a confident public speaker.



In return we offer:

An interesting and challenging job in an international environment focusing on research, innovation and private-public collaboration for the benefit of patients, industry and society.
You will be part of a team that values collaboration, knowledge sharing and professional growth. And you will have flexible working hours.



Terms

The position is a 3 year and 8 months full time project employment. The expected start of employment is 01 May 2026. End date 31 December 2029.



Contact information

If you have any questions regarding the position, please contact the Director of the AU OIS Marie Louise Conradsen, phone: 93508496, mail: mlco@au.dk



Place of work

The place of work is Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 116, Aarhus C.



Application deadline 

Applications must be received no later than 26 March 2026.
 


Formalities and salary range

Salary and terms as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Unions or the relevant organisation.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.

 

Aarhus University

Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 37,000 students (FTEs) and 8.700 employees and has an annual revenue of EUR 1.106 billion. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/