Research project manager

Welcome to Maastricht University!
The world is changing rapidly, and we’re changing with it. As a research project manager, you’ll make a difference behind the scenes in our scientific research. You’ll ensure structure, oversight, and quality—so our researchers can focus on developing new insights. Whether it’s contract research for societal partners or long-term academic projects, your work ensures everything runs smoothly and professionally. This way, you’ll contribute to impactful research that matters.
Research Project Manager

Our goal : To enable research to excel through smart project structure and clear processes.
Your colleagues : A dedicated team of researchers and support staff within the Research Centre for Education and the Labor Market (ROA), working together on impactful contract research.

Our institute is growing and the number of projects is increasing. Therefore, we are looking for a research project manager who can create overview, provide structure, and strengthen processes. In this new role, you will bring projects, people, and systems together. You will maintain the overview of our contract research – from planning to execution – and support project leaders with structure, reporting, and quality assurance.

Together, you will build a future-proof project portfolio. You will investigate how technology can support project management and develop improvements where necessary. You will work closely with colleagues from finance and research data management, among others, and you will maintain a clear and up-to-date ISO manual. You will also supervise the annual ISO audit. In this role, you will be the link between science and support staff, actively contributing to a professional work environment where research can flourish.

What you will do

• Drawing up a project plan and then monitoring progress, deadlines and promised output.
• Set up and monitor consultation structures at project level.
• Providing support and guidance in ethical, legal and compliance issues.
• Select appropriate software and optimally set up a monitoring structure for project management.
• Monitor quality and propose continuous improvements, keep the ISO manual up to date and coordinate audit visits.
• Provide additional support to the project manager, depending on the project phase, scope, and complexity. This includes preparing requests for proposals and progress reports.

Are you ready to set a course for the coming years? Then we’d love to meet you.

What you bring:
We’re not about ticking boxes, but about who you are and what you bring to the table. Do you recognize yourself in this?

• Experienced project professional – You have demonstrable experience in project management, preferably within scientific research.
• Proactive and structured – You take initiative, work systematically and can maintain an overview – even when things are busy.
• Team-oriented and connecting – You enjoy working with diverse colleagues and know how to balance interests.
• Strong communication skills – You communicate clearly, both in writing and orally, in Dutch and English.
• Flexible and solution-oriented – You switch easily between projects and tailor your approach to the situation.
• Quality-conscious – You monitor progress and quality, keep the ISO manual up-to-date, and continuously seek improvement.
• Academic thinking level – You have an academic working and thinking level and can analyze and improve complex processes.

What can you expect from us?
As  a Research Project Manager  at  the School of Business and Economics,  you’ll be working at the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. We also offer you:

• Excellent employment conditions. The position is classified in scale 10 according to the UFO Project Manager profile, with a corresponding salary scale based on experience between €3,546.00 and €5,538.00 gross per month (based on a full-time, 38-hour per week contract). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.
• An employment contract for a period of 12 months with a scope of 1.0 FTE.
• At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is paramount. We offer flexible working hours and the option to work partly from home, if the nature of your position allows. You’ll receive a monthly home-working and internet allowance for this. If you join us full-time, you’re entitled to 29 vacation days and four additional public holidays annually: Carnival Monday, Carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you use the option to accrue compensatory hours, you’ll receive an additional 12 days. You can also customize your employment conditions using a collective labor agreement (CLA) choice model.
• Maastricht University offers a variety of other excellent secondary employment benefits, including a good pension plan with ABP, and as a UM employee, you can participate in company fitness and take advantage of the extensive sports program we also offer our students.
• Last but certainly not least, the space and facilities to develop yourself: personally and professionally. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and support various broadly supported initiatives such as “recognition and appreciation.”

The employment conditions of Maastricht University are largely laid down in the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities. Local provisions, specific to UM, also apply. For more information, click here .

Maastricht University
Why work at Maastricht University?

At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. That of our students, because we give them a solid, broad foundation for the rest of their lives. And that of all of us, through our research into solutions for issues worldwide. With our six faculties, we provide a comprehensive range of education and research.

In our education, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. This means that our students, in small groups, independently search for solutions to problems and issues. They discuss together, draw conclusions, formulate an answer, and present it to the entire group. In this way, they acquire important skills for their entire career.

UM currently has more than 22,300 students and over 5,000 staff members from all over the world. This creates an inspiring and vibrant international community.

Does this international environment with a focus on science appeal to you? And do you want to contribute to this from an academic or staff position? Then your unique contribution is more than welcome! As a young European University of Maastricht, we offer prospects that we translate to your talent. You are valuable to our university and society, and we inspire you to grow together with pride and joy.

For more information about UM, click here .

School of Business and Economics
The School of Business and Economics (SBE) is one of Maastricht University’s six faculties. Our mission is to contribute to a better world by addressing societal challenges through co-creation of knowledge and developing team players and leaders of the future.

At SBE, you will be among the 1% of business schools worldwide that are Triple Crown accredited (EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA). You will be part of an inspiring, international environment where learning and development are prioritized.

ROA
The ROA offers a highly inspiring academic work environment, where teams collaborate on socially relevant research. ROA holds a leading position, both nationally and internationally, in research related to education and the labor market. The research is characterized by a combination of scientific depth and policy relevance around four themes: Education, skills and educational transitions; Health, skills and inequality; Labor market and training; Human capital in the region.The website contains more information.

Curious?
Are you interested in this great position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Carla Haelermans at carla.haelermans@maastrichtuniversity.nl for more information. If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Laura Daniels (recruiter) at laura.daniels@maastrichtuniversity.nl .

Apply?
Or are you already convinced and will you become our new Research Project Manager? Then apply for this position now, no later than August 24th.

Please include a CV and cover letter with your application.

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and maintaining a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM. We aim to achieve this through inclusive policies and innovative projects in collaboration with students and staff. We encourage you to apply for this position.