Two academically strong advisors for AU's Research Support Unit: Strategic EU funding advisor and budget advisor

Application deadline 25. Oct. 23:59 CET

Expected start 1. Jan.

• AU Research - Research Support Unit Inge Lehmanns Gade 10 8000 Aarhus C
• Full-time position ID: 169849

Apply for the position

Two professionally strong advisors for AU's Research Support Unit: Strategic EU funding advisor and budget advisor

The Research Support Unit is seeking two strong advisor profiles: A strategic EU funding advisor focused on applications, and a budget advisor focused on application economics.

Are you passionate about developing and delivering world-class research support, and would you like to help groundbreaking research along the way through external funding, innovation or advanced budget models?

We are seeking two new colleagues for our Pre-award team in the Research Support Unit. The team, which comprises 14 staff, supports and advises researchers from Aarhus University (AU) and Aarhus University Hospital (AUH) in securing external research funding. Our primary focus is the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, Horizon Europe, as well as selected national funds such as the Danish Innovations Fund.

We are looking for two different profiles for our team.

Profile 1: EU funding advisor with extensive knowledge of the EU's Framework Programme for Research and Innovation and a focus on project development, innovation and strategic application processes.

Profile 2: Budget advisor and template specialist with strong Excel skills for complex partner budgets and financial methodology development.

Your primary tasks

Depending on which profile you are applying for, the emphasis of your duties will be

Primary tasks for Profile 1

Create a match between research ideas and funding calls and spar with researchers and institutes about homecoming strategies and targeting.

• Provide holistic advice, including sparring on and preparation of application budgets and application text in accordance with fund requirements in collaboration with the applicant.
• Review and comment on applications to ensure they are competitive and meet fund requirements.
• Develop and maintain in-depth knowledge of EU funding landscape and translate complex EU rules and work programmes into concrete guidance for our researchers.
• Coordinate application and advisory processes, particularly with a focus on larger collaborative projects and innovative initiatives.
• Proactively seek new knowledge and best practices within relevant funds, instruments and innovation initiatives and contribute to the development of our advisory tools and templates.

Primary tasks for Profile 2

• Provide specialized sparring on budget rules before submission of applications and proactively seek knowledge about developments in financial requirements for research projects.
• Advise on and develop application budgets in accordance with fund requirements with particular focus on partner budgets for larger national and international applications.
• Develop and optimize our budget templates in close collaboration with both pre- and post-award as well as finance departments.
• Link the faculties' financial needs with the fund's specific requirements in both the advisory and development of supporting tools.

Common tasks for both profiles

• Convey information about instruments, budgets and advisory processes at e.g. workshops and masterclasses for researchers.
• Participate in relevant network events internally at AU and nationally and internationally.

Who are you?

As an advisor you are driven by building close, trusting relationships with both researchers and administrative partners across the university. You are used to working in a team where you jointly find solutions to everyday problems. You balance your task execution responsibly and independently, always with a view to the overall work community across pre- and post-award. We expect you to have at least a master's degree and to possess strong writing and communication skills in both Danish and English. Knowledge of or interest in data processing, for example Power Query, can be an advantage.

For Profile 1 we are particularly looking for someone who has

• In-depth knowledge of and experience with EU funding programmes (especially Horizon Europe, EIC and partnerships).
• Experience with or strong interest in the field between research and innovation (how research translates into societal/technological value).
• Experience with outreach advisory and administrative support for researchers through strategic application processes.

For Profile 2 we are particularly looking for someone who has

• In-depth experience with budgeting in Excel and preparation of complex application budgets (you may have a background as a project controller or advisor with a strong numerical focus).
• You thrive in the tension between central guidelines and local needs at the faculties through a pragmatic and solution-oriented approach.
• The ability to translate complex fund requirements into simple, user-friendly budget templates and workflows.
• Knowledge of or experience from the university sector would be an advantage.

What will your everyday life be like with us?

With us you will experience a strong professional collaboration, both internally in pre-award and across the entire unit, as we value knowledge sharing and sparring highly. But it's not only the professional side that binds us together. The Research Support Unit is also characterized by a close collegial community with an informal and down-to-earth tone, which is reflected, among other things, in the willingness to meet for bowling and street food, participation in DHL, and our 1st Monday of the month cake club.

The workflow is organized in an annual cycle, and you can expect a varied day-to-day with peak periods for application management and periods focused on strategic development. It is therefore important that you are comfortable with peak periods, can switch between development and operations, and are able to prioritize your tasks.

Some travel activity to AU’s other campuses (Viborg, Emdrup, Roskilde and Herning) and occasional participation in conferences and annual meetings domestically and internationally can be expected.

About the Research Support Unit

The Research Support Unit falls under the Deputy Director’s area AU Research and comprises 23 engaged colleagues spread across pre-award, post-award and strategy. Together we form a strong professional community that provides specialized advisory and administrative support to researchers across Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital (AUH) throughout the process from the first project idea to final reporting.

Salary and terms of employment

The position is a permanent full-time position starting 1 January 2027.

The average work week is 37 hours.

Salary and terms of employment follow the collective agreement for Academics in the State (see the agreement here). You will be employed as a Legal Administrative Officer at base salary steps 4-8 with a standard allowance. For the right candidate there will be the possibility of classification as a specialist or chief consultant with pay according to Annex 4 of the collective agreement.

The employing authority is Aarhus University.

The primary workplace is with the Research Support Unit at Navitas, Inge Lehmanna's street 10, 8000 Aarhus. Note: we will move our address to Universitetsparken during the first half of 2027.

Application and information

If you want to know more about the department, you can read further on our website.

If you have questions about the positions, you are welcome to contact Team Leader Mette Meilstrup at tel. 93 52 13 29 or email: e-mail.

Employment interviews will be held in weeks 45 and 46.

Important when applying: Please clearly indicate in your application whether you primarily apply for Profile 1 or Profile 2 , or if you would like to be considered for both.

Aarhus University will be an attractive and inspiring workplace for everyone and seeks a culture where each individual can develop and grow. We see equality and diversity as a resource and therefore encourage all interested to apply.

Applications are submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University’s website.

Questions about the position ?

Mette Meilstrup Team Leader, AU Research - Research Support Unit +4593521329 e-mail

Questions about application and process ?

AU HR - Personnel Law +4529799329 e-mail

Apply for the position Application deadline: Sunday, 25 Oct 2026 at 23:59 CET