Experienced Project Manager

We are seeking a Project Manager with experience in Horizon Europe project management, public consultations and event facilitation to support three key areas:

• Large-scale research project implementation within SDU NAT's External Relations Team and the Department of Biology
• Coordinate SDU NATs contribution to public consultations and other science-to-policy activities
• Facilitate public representation of SDU NAT and the Departments under the faculty, at key events

You will be responsible for operational and administrative management across projects involving Danish and European research institutions.

The successful candidate hold a PhD in marine biology or a closely related marine science discipline and bring hands-on experience in EU Missions projects, combining project coordination with research-based reporting and stakeholder engagement to maximise the impact and uptake of project outcomes.

Your Profile

The ideal candidate has a research background in marine science, experience from public authorities and with mission-based projects. The candidate should be comfortable bridging operations with research, supporting deliverables, monitoring progress, and translating complex data into clear insights for partners, funders, educators, and diverse stakeholder groups.

Key Responsibilities

Project and operational management

• Implement and take responsibility for the operational management of the projects and research
• Support leadership and act as an administrative contact for stakeholders at SDU, with a special focus on public authorities
• Liaise with funding agencies, SDU administrative staff, and external partners. And ensure processes align with SDU rules and funder requirements
• Assist in internal and external communications. Support, facilitate and coordinate organising events, workshops, public engagement activities and meetings
• Prepare scientific, impact and financial reports
• Document project progress and ensure timely submission to funders
• Coordinate data collection and information sharing among partners
• Coordinate stakeholder and community engagement activities across partner organisations, including industry, authority and scientific partners
• Contribute to policy analysis and impact evaluation to strengthen societal relevance and uptake of project results, particularly within ocean and water contexts

Required Qualifications

• A PhD in marine science, environmental science, or another relevant natural science discipline
• Experience in project coordination and research management, including planning of research cruises, within universities, research institutions, public authorities or consultancies
• Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English and Danish
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, manage multiple priorities, and meet strict deadlines
• High attention to detail and organisational skills
• Familiarity with administrative tools such as WorkZone
• Demonstrated experience applying data analysis and reporting skills
• Working with Horizon Europe funding schemes
• Experience from public authorities, and implementing workflows and administrative systems in university settings

Desirable Experience

• Organising cross institutional participation in large public and policy events
• Experience with EU Mission-aligned environmental/ocean projects and international consortia coordination, including deliverables, timelines, and compliance processes
• Experience supporting cross-institutional collaboration and helping build an active community around education

You have a research background (PhD) in natural sciences (preferably marine biology, oceanography, biology or environmental science) and experience from Danish and other European research institutions and/or public authorities. You are enthusiastic, a team player, supportive and highly flexible to meet the variety of work. Due to the specificity of the projects and funding programmes, with strict application deadlines, and “last-minute projects” there are peak periods where you must be able and willing to work longer hours.

We offer

We offer a motivating and exciting position with ample potential for personal development at the Faculty of Science at SDU, a faculty characterized by ambition, commitment and an informal and flexible working environment. You will also work locally in close collaboration with strong scientific environments. You will become part of the External Relations Team that bridges project management, policy intelligence, liaison with funders, capacity building, leadership support with hands on grant writing.

SDU offers a full time permanent position, an attractive work-life balance, a competitive salary* with the option for qualification allowance, frequent trainings and personal development.

We strongly encourage European experts to apply for these positions. SDU and the Region of Southern Denmark provides excellent repatriation services, language courses, day-care and international schools, and a strong and growing international community.

The External Relations Team is part of the Dean’s office with around 50 colleagues and study-administration, communication and finance teams. The science faculty consists of four Departments: Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mathematics and Computer Science, and Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy. The faculty hosts 500 employees and 2000 students.

Contact Head of External Relations Team Mikkel Girke Jørgensen (m: +4565502330; [email protected] ) for more information.

Expected Start Date: 1 January 2027 or soon after

Application, salary etc.

Salary and employment conditions are related to educational background and applicable collective agreements between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC).

Salary is determined in accordance with the applicable collective agreement and based on objective and gender-neutral criteria, including the content of the position, responsibilities, and qualification requirements.

As an applicant, you are entitled to information about the starting salary and salary range for the position. This information will be provided during the recruitment process.

SDU does not collect information on applicants’ previous salary.

To be considered for this position, please fill out an online profile and attach the following documents:

• Cover letter
• Resume (CV) including information on previous employment with start and end dates
• Certificates, and if possible, a list of up to three references.

All documents in connection with the application should not contain CPR number (civil registration number) – in that case, the CPR number must be crossed out. All attached files must be in Adobe PDF format. Cover letter and CV can contain max. 5 Mb.

We recommend that you read How to apply for a position at SDU before you apply.

If you experience technical problems, please contact [email protected]

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

About SDU

The University of Southern Denmark was established to create value for and with society. Whether our contributions come in the form of excellent research, innovative solutions, education or learning, we must make a positive difference to society and contribute to a sustainable future. We do this by cultivating talents and creating the best environments for research and learning. It is therefore crucial that SDU retains, develops and recruits talent.

At the same time, we need to ensure consistently high quality in all our activities – and we can only do that with the right people. The University’s researchers, lecturers, students, managers and technical/administrative staff are the foundation of our success.