Innovation Manager in the field of “Surgical Robotics and Advanced Medical Devices”

Technological innovation plays a crucial role to improve medical therapy and ensure a sustainable healthcare system in an ageing society. KU Leuven and the University Hospitals of Leuven (UZ Leuven) have been spearheading research on surgical robotics and advanced medical devices since more than a decade. To translate the obtained research results to the clinic we are currently offering a full-time position for an innovation manager of the Leuven Health Technology Centre (https://set.kuleuven.be/lhtc) that covers these disciplines. The innovation manager will support and expand L-HTC’s valorization initiatives, establish contacts with all relevant stakeholders and enlarge the impact of medical device innovation in Leuven and beyond. The successful applicant will work in close collaboration with the research groups of Prof. Vander Poorten (Surgical Robotics & Medical Device design), Prof. Jan Deprest (UZ Leuven, department of Development and Regeneration), Prof. Sylvie Castagne (laser micro-manufacturing) and Prof. Jean-Marie Aerts (Human factors and ethic aspects) who are active members of L-HTC.

The lndustrial Research Fund (lOF) of KU Leuven Association acts as a dynamic conduit between strategic basic research, technological innovations and industrial partnerships. Leveraging collaborations with KU Leuven’s research units, the University Hospital, and diverse industry and societal stakeholders, our objective is to expand KU Leuven’s valorization portfolio while enhancing knowledge transfer. Our team comprises over 40 experienced innovation managers who specialize in converting the research teams’ expertise and infrastructure at KU Leuven/UZ Leuven into practical, cutting-edge technological solutions. Each innovation manager has an own focus but can exchange thoughts on strategies and access networks of peers.
Website unit

Responsibilities

You will manage innovation, translation and valorization of L-HTC results. You will expand and create a program that strengthens both industry and research groups, and enhances interactions between surgical robotics research and clinicians. This includes:

• Strategic research and tech transfer planning: contribute to the strategic planning of the consortium’s research and technology transfer agenda;
• Business development: active involvement in identifying new industrial contacts and shaping joint development collaborations;
• Opportunity exploration and matchmaking: actively seek new project opportunities and align consortium technologies with specific industrial needs;
• Funding identification and consortium formation: proactively identify funding sources, develop project consortia, and establish collaborations;
• Proposal coordination: actively participate in proposal writing, focusing particularly on the valorization aspects;
• Industry collaboration and IP management: facilitate consortium-industry cooperation, oversee intellectual property management and assist in spin-off company creation, in liaison with KU Leuven Research and Development;
• Exploitation trajectory support: guide researchers from project inception to identifying the most effective exploitation trajectory for their research outcomes, including collaboration agreements, patents, licensing and spin-offs;
• Project coordination: lead the management and support of a varied range of valorization projects, originating from the consortium’s scientific research.

Profile

• You possess a PhD degree in e.g. biomedical engineering, engineering science, engineering technology or life sciences. Alternatively you have minimum 5 years of experience in applied or strategic basic research in a biomedical/relevant field, or you have an equivalent experience in industry. Affinity with robotic surgery technology and/or manufacturing is a plus;
• A track record in successful grant writing, particularly in EU proposals, is highly valued;
• You are well-versed in intellectual property and regulatory matters, or keen to develop such expertise;
• You are passionate about translational research initiatives and have an entrepreneurial mindset. Preferably  you are skilled in the transfer and commercial exploitation of research findings, with e.g. demonstrated proactivity in developing commercially viable propositions, experience in bilateral research with industry;
• You are a facilitator and you have good communication, networking and negotiation skills;
• You are able to identify and preferably have existing contacts with key industrial players in Flanders and Europe; you are proactive in exploring collaboration potential also with such industrial partners;
• You are fluent in English (both spoken and written). Fluency in Dutch or willingness to learn Dutch is an asset.

Offer

We offer a dynamic and inspiring job as an Innovation Manager at KU Leuven. This permanent position promises an engaging journey through continuous innovation and development, situated within a transdisciplinary and international environment. Embrace the opportunity to valorize groundbreaking research initiatives, contributing significantly to the advancement of various fields.

More information

Industrial Research Fund
L-HTC

Interested?

For more information please contact Mrs. Elke Herinckx, tel.: +32 16 19 40 36, mail: elke.herinckx@kuleuven.be or Prof. dr. ir. Emmanuel Vander Poorten, tel.: +32 16 32 25 28, mail: emmanuel.vanderpoorten@kuleuven.be.

KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.