Project Leader - European Synthetic Cell Initiative

This role is for a Project Leader for the European Synthetic Cell Initiative (SynCell-nExUs), a new pan-European postdoctoral excellence programme in synthetic cell research and technology, based at the Coordination Office of SynCellEU (Faculty of Applied Sciences, TU Delft).

Lead the new European programme SynCell nExUs, shaping the future of synthetic cell research and connecting top scientists across Europe.

Job description

You will be project leader of SynCell-nExUs, a new pan-European postdoctoral excellence programme on the topic of synthetic cell research and technology. Your workplace will be at the Coordination Office of the European Synthetic Cell initiative (SynCellEU), Faculty of Applied Sciences, TU Delft. You will work independently in close collaboration with the program manager of SynCellEU (TU Delft partner in the project) and the scientific coordinators of SynCell-nExUs located at the Max Planck Society in Germany.

In this varied job you will be responsible for the successful implementation of the SynCell-nExUs postdoctoral programme, ensuring the successful execution of all the work packages, deliverables and milestones. You will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the project, keeping track of the progress and ensuring compliance with Horizon Europe rules and the Grant Agreement. This entails:

• Preparing and managing the complex selection and recruitment process of the 40 postdoctoral fellows, acting as liaise with the selection committees and ensuring transparent evaluation procedures
• Providing administrative and logistic support throughout the recruitment process, including training and instructing selection committee members on the proper use of the recruitment system and ensuring that the selection process is carried out in compliance with project guidelines.
• Serving as the primary point of contact for selection committee members and for the TU Delft Recruitment Assistant supporting the process, as well as for the postdoctoral fellows and their hosts with respect to the programme activities.
• Organizing the programme activities, e.g. events, training, meetings, workshops.
• Collaborating with the other partners in the project, establishing and maintaining contacts with external parties.
• Developing dissemination, communication and exploitation strategies and maintain visibility of the programme, in collaboration with the SynCellEU Communication Officer.
• Reporting to the internal Management Team of the programme and preparing the periodic reporting to the European Commission on the programme, including financial reporting.
• Ensuring ethical compliance, open science practices and IP management.

Job requirements

• HBO+ or an academic degree.
• Strong analytic, organizational and operational process management skills. Management of similar European projects (e.g. Horizon Europe/MSCA), is an asset.
• Experience with delivering activities within set timelines and resources to achieve project objectives. Willingness to take on a hands-on approach.
• Experience with stakeholder management, preferably within a complex academic environment
• Experience with data management and the ability to retain overview while working with large numbers of candidates and committee members.
• Strong communication, coordination and teamwork skills. An excellent command of the English language is a must; Dutch is an advantage.
• Strong computer skills; experience with common institutional software systems and Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is an advantage.
• After your onboarding period, you are able to work independently, recognize what needs to be done and proactively initiate discussions when needed.

You are available to start preferably in August 2026. Only candidates from EU countries or with a Dutch work permit can be considered for this vacancy (due to Dutch regulations).

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

Delft University of Technology is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society.

Faculty Applied Sciences

With more than 1,100 employees, including 150 principal investigators, and about 3,600 students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences focuses on key enabling technologies such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion. Research spans Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics.

Conditions of employment

• Duration of contract is 2 years (temporary).
• An excellent pension scheme via the ABP.
• The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year.
• Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages.
• Flexible working week.
• Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses.
• Partially paid parental leave
• Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program.