Employment: 0.8 FTE
Gross monthly salary: €4,728 - €6,433
Required background: Research University Degree
Organizational unit: Faculty of Science
Application deadline: 23 August 2026

Your Job

Are you driven to turn cutting-edge science into real-world impact? As a Business Developer, you play a pivotal role at the intersection of research and society – transforming innovative ideas into tangible solutions that create economic and societal value. If you are passionate about innovation, collaboration and making a meaningful difference, this is your opportunity to turn knowledge into impact.

As a Business Developer Life Sciences and Health you will translate academic ideas and scientific results into practical innovations. To this end, you will scout for innovative ideas within Radboud University, translate them into intellectual property portfolios and support their exploitation. This will entail conducting or managing market studies, supporting funding applications for valorisation activities, and managing relationships with external partners such as investors, patent attorneys and funding agencies.

Moreover, you will support our scientists in finding funding for their innovation projects or their spin-off companies, or building partnerships with existing companies and institutions. The exploitation may take the form of research collaborations, technology licenses or entrepreneurial ventures. All with the goal of creating societal and economic impact from research activities.

This position is part of the national growth fund programme Biotech Booster, more specifically Thematic Cluster 5 (TC5): Small Molecules, Vaccines and Drug Development Platform Technologies. This means that, while embedded at Radboud University in Nijmegen, you will be working on a wider, national scale: scouting, evaluating and coaching projects from other knowledge institutes or biotech start-ups.

Employee Experience

Charissa van Mourik
Project Manager, Savings Programme for University Operations

"What has stayed with me from the very beginning is how helpful colleagues are. That open atmosphere makes working here a pleasure."

"When I was studying Business Administration and applying for jobs at large commercial companies, I found myself wondering: would this really make me happy? At the same time, I was already working as a student assistant at Radboud University. When my supervisor encouraged me to apply for a new position within the university, I thought: this is a place where I can truly make a difference. I decided to stay and eleven years later, I still enjoy coming to work every day.

What has stayed with me from the start is the social relevance of the work. Whether I was supporting students going on exchange or, in my current role, contributing to programmes that improve our university operations, I have always felt that my work matters. And you’re never on your own here. Everywhere I have worked, I have met colleagues who are ready to help, share ideas and work things out together. The atmosphere is collegial and approachable: people easily drop by each other’s offices to brainstorm or solve something together. There is also room to celebrate successes or simply share a laugh. It makes you feel at home quickly and makes collaboration enjoyable.

The employment conditions are another major advantage. The university offers a lot of flexibility, which makes it easier to combine work and family life. With two young children, I really value being able to spend school holidays with them. It feels like a gift to yourself and to your children: the memories you create together stay with you forever."

Does This Sound Like You?

• You have a relevant background in life sciences (a PhD in Life Sciences or comparable experience would be beneficial).
• You have experience in bringing innovations to the market, including IP protection and transfer.
• You have experience in research-related collaborative relationships and management.
• You have working experience in or affinity for industry.
• You are proficient in English (written and spoken) and have a working knowledge of Dutch. Non-native speakers should have the ability to acquire a working knowledge of Dutch within one year.

What We Offer You

• We will give you a temporary employment contract of 1 year with the possibility of extension up to a total of 3 years.
• Your salary within salary scale 11 depends on your previous education and number of years of (relevant) work experience. The amounts in the scale are based on a 38-hour working week.
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20.

Additional Employment Conditions

Work and science require good employment practices. Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions reflect this.

You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself. For example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports membership.

In addition, you receive a 34% discount on the sports and cultural activities at Radboud University as an employee. Of course, we also offer a good pension plan.

We also give you plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.

Where You Will Be Working

As a Business Developer, you will be part of the Radboud Innovation Science (RIS) department, the valorisation unit of the Faculty of Science (FNWI). The Radboud Innovation Science team consists of 14 staff members (grant support officers, project managers, and knowledge transfer officers) who contribute to securing research funding, project development, project coordination, knowledge valorisation, and collaboration with industry partners.

Our team plays an important networking role and serves as the first point of contact for external parties interested in collaborating on research and innovation or in making use of our unique research facilities. We work closely with the central Research & Impact department, including start-up incubator The Launch, forming joint Impact teams for each business case and external partnership.

Although based in Nijmegen, you will also work one day a week at the Biotech Booster office in Utrecht, where you will collaborate closely with business developers from other universities and university medical centres.

Faculty of Science

The Faculty of Science (FNWI), part of Radboud University, engages in groundbreaking research and excellent education. In doing so, we push the boundaries of scientific knowledge and pass that knowledge on to the next generation.

We seek solutions to major societal challenges, such as cybercrime and climate change, and work on major scientific challenges, such as those in the quantum world. At the same time, we prepare our students for careers both within and outside the scientific field.

Currently, more than 1,300 colleagues contribute to research and education, some as researchers and lecturers, others as technical and administrative support officers. The faculty has a strong international character with staff from more than 70 countries. Together, we work in an informal, accessible and welcoming environment, with attention and space for personal and professional development for all.

Radboud University

At Radboud University, we aim to make an impact through our work. We achieve this by conducting groundbreaking research, providing high-quality education, offering excellent support, and fostering collaborations within and outside the university.

In doing so, we contribute indispensably to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. To accomplish this, we need even more colleagues who, based on their expertise, are willing to search for answers.

We advocate for an inclusive community and welcome employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives.

If you want to learn more about working at Radboud University, follow our Instagram account and read stories from our colleagues.

Is This the Job for You?

You can apply only via the application button.

Please address your letter of application to Antoine Wellink.

In the application form, you will find which documents you need to include with your application.

We look forward to receiving your application.

The first interviews will take place on Tuesday, 1 September 2026.

Any second interview will take place on Tuesday, 15 September 2026.

Preferred starting date: 1 January 2027.

If you wish to apply for a non-scientific position with a non-EU nationality, please take notice of the relevant information provided during the application process.

If you already work at Radboud University and have questions about making an internal move, you can learn more about internal applications.

Application deadline: 23 August 2026.

We would like to recruit our new colleague ourselves. Acquisition in response to this vacancy will not be appreciated.

Want to Know More About This Position?

A.G.J. Wellink (Antoine)

Email: antoine.wellink [at] ru.nl