Innovation Manager

The Faculty of Science (NAT) at SDU seeks anInnovationManagerto accelerate the translation of research into societal and commercial impact. Working within the External Relations Team the faculty research support unit you will be the primary connector between researchers and industry partners helping to identify opportunities for collaboration cocreation and commercialisation. You will support researchers in accessing innovationoriented funding and play a central role in building a culture of industrial collaboration entrepreneurship and spinouts at NAT.

Key responsibilities

• Cultivate partnerships:Identify and engage relevant companies foundations and other external partners on behalf of our researchers; explore collaborative potential and negotiate mutually beneficial projects and sponsorships. Matchmake researchers with industry partners and support consortium building both nationally and internationally.
• Drive innovation funding:Guide researchers through innovation funding instruments such as Innovation Fund Denmarks Grand Solutions and HorizonEurope programmes. Monitor funding opportunities disseminate relevant calls and provide strategic advice on proposal development budgeting and partnership formation.
• Commercialisation and spinouts:Assist researchers in evaluating the commercial potential of earlystage science and develop pathways for technology transfer including licensing spinouts and joint ventures. Collaborate closely with SDUs Research & Innovation Organisation (SDU-RIO) tech transfer office and innovation hubs to support intellectual property protection licensing and early-stage investment.
• Promote innovation culture:Organise workshops seminars and matchmaking events to raise awareness of innovation opportunities. Collaborate with department leadership to integrate innovation strategies into research planning and contribute to NATs external funding and innovation strategy.
• Communicate and advocate:Represent NATs scientific strengths to industry and external stakeholders ensuring the facultys expertise is visible and accessible. Develop promotional materials and contribute to web content newsletters and other communication channels to showcase success stories and opportunities.
• Team and administrative support:As part of the External Relations Team contribute to shared tasks such as onboarding new staff cost modelling data analysis and event organisation. Act as NATs primary faculty-level point of contact for innovation-related matters in close collaboration with SDU-RIO and provide leadership with insight into emerging innovation trends and opportunities

Desired qualifications

• Academic background:Masters degree or PhD in a science or technology discipline; additional business education or certification is an advantage. You have a deep understanding of emerging technologies within natural science.
• Innovation expertise:Significant experience with innovation instruments (e.g. Innovation Fund Denmark EU innovation programmes) and a track record of developing successful collaborative projects and/or spinouts. Familiarity with intellectualproperty management and tech transfer processes is essential.
• Network and partnership skills:A strong professional network within industry and the innovation ecosystem. Proven ability to build relationships and trust with both highlevel scientific profiles and business leaders. Excellent communication and negotiation skills in English; Danish proficiency is a plus and candidates who do not speak Danish must be willing to learn.
• Business acumen:You have a solid understanding of how research-based ideas can be developed into application-oriented innovation. You support early clarification of value propositions and collaboration potential and work closely with SDU-RIO to ensure coherent pathways from research to collaboration and commercialisation.
• Personal qualities:Selfdriven agile and goaloriented yet collaborative and supportive. Able to prioritise multiple tasks and work independently but also contribute actively to team goals. You enjoy working with diverse people and are motivated by creating impact through innovation.

We offer
You will join a motivated international External Relations Team that bridges project management policy intelligence liaison with funders and handson grant offer:

• A dynamic work environment with close collaboration across four departments (Biology; Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; Mathematics & Computer Science; Physics Chemistry & Pharmacy).
• Ample opportunities for professional development training and networking.
• A flexible familyfriendly workplace that supports worklife balance and values diversity and inclusiveness.

If you are passionate about science adept at bridging technology and business and motivated to help researchers turn ideas into societal impact we encourage you to apply.

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

Practical information
English is the working language in our team and a high level of professional proficiency in both written and spoken English is essential for this position. At the same time Danish is the administrative and everyday language at SDU. If you do not speak Danish you are expected to be willing to learn it. We value an inclusive international environment and fully support language development. We will do our best to help you feel at home both in the team and at SDU more broadly.

The External Relations Team is part of the Deans office with around 45 colleagues including study-administration communication and accounting teams. The Faculty of Science 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 Team Leader Mikkel Jørgensen (tel.:; e-mail: ) for more information.
Expected job start is 1 May 2026 or soon thereafter.

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).

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

• Cover letterincluding information on previous employment with start and end dates
• Resume (CV)
• 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 readHow to apply for a position at SDUbefore you apply.

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