Programme Manager - Generative AI for Research (0,5 - 0,6 fte)

Introduction

Erasmus University is seeking an experienced Programme Manager to lead a strategic initiative aimed at advancing the maturity and responsible adoption of Generative AI (GenAI) in Research. This programme will ensure that researchers across disciplines have the expertise, infrastructure, and support to use GenAI effectively while complying with legal and institutional guidelines.

Job description

The strategic integration of Generative AI into research is not just about harnessing new tools, it is about reshaping the practise of doing scientific research as well as the possibilities to create societal impact.The primary focus of this programme is on Generative AI because this form of AI currently offers the most directly applicable opportunities for a large number of our researchers. The programme has a holistic view by addressing strategic, tactical and operational levels of EUR. A growth path to achieve a higher level of maturity in the use and support of generative AI for research has been mapped out. However, a final list of activities and deliverables needs to be negotiated between the academic director, the vice deans research and the steering committee.  

The main challenge for the programme is to stimulate interest, support ongoing initiatives, and address the needs of researchers so that they can benefit from new technology in an ethical and safe way. Structural alignment with the research community is at the heart of the program.  

About the Role 

The programme manager is the driving force behind the program. Together with the academic lead, vice deans research, steering committee and the project team, you will determine what needs to be done and ensure that the agreed outcomes are achieved. As everything around GenAI is still in flux, the programme manager uses an agile approach where the next steps are always decided after reflecting on the results so far. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Develop and implement a university-wide roadmap to increase GenAI maturity in research, ensuring alignment with ethical, legal, and institutional guidelines. 

• Build an effective project team by working towards clearly defined project deliverables and a shared commitment to the program’s objectives. The following roles are included in the project team: data steward, research software engineer, community manager, professional learning manager, AI compliancy manager, information manager. 

• Work with academic directors, steering committee and vice-deans of research to prioritise and adjust the roadmap as developments or previous results require. 

• Collaborate with researchers, IT, legal teams, and ethics comittees to establish best practices, governance frameworks, and compliance protocols for the use of GenAI. 

• Ensure alignment with the other areas, education and operations, so that results can be shared widely as widely as possible. 

• Communicate clearly and effectively with all programme stakeholders. 

• Monitor and evaluate the impact of the program, ensuring measurable progress towards defined outcomes.

Job requirements

Qualifications & Skills 

• Proven experience in program/project management, preferably in research support, or digital innovation. 

• Proven experience in building and leading succesful teams.

• Excellent stakeholder management skills, bridging technical and non-technical audiences. 

• A track record in driving change in academic or research settings. 

• Familiarity with Generative AI technologies and their ethical, legal, and societal implications is a plus. 

• Familiarity with EU regulations (GDPR, AI Act) and research ethics frameworks. 

• Fluency in English and Dutch. 

Employment conditions and benefits

We offer you an internationally oriented and varied job in an enthusiastic team, with excellent working conditions in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU).

The start date of this position is as soon as possible and you will be based at campus Woudestein in Engagement & Research Services (ERS). This position is for 0.5 fte - 0.6 fte. The salary is dependent on your experience and knowledge and ranges from a minimum of € 3.378 to a maximum of € 5.331 gross per month Scale 10 on a fulltime basis (38 hours), in accordance with the CAO-NU. The contract is offered for a period of 1 year and can be extended to a period of 2,5 to 3 years. For internal candidates: this position can be filled on a secondment basis from your current position.

Everything else we offer you, you can find below!

-        Everything you need for a good work-life balance: the option to work from home in consultation with your manager, 41 days of paid leave with a 40 hour contract, 8% holiday pay and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus, and a significant discount on a subscription for our on-campus sports centre!

-        Sustainable, inclusive and diverse work environment with an open culture, where you can be yourself and we pay attention to each other and to the world around us. Make the most of our bicycle budget, or join networks such as Young@EUR, FAME or QuEUR.

-        Time and space for your development in the broadest sense: development days and a personal career budget and free access to our university library.

-        Good pension with ABP that EUR contributes 2/3rds towards, discounts on various collective insurances with Zilveren Kruis Achmea, Loyalis, and Allianz, and compensation for travel, working from home and home internet use.

-        Are you currently combining your job with parenthood, or do you want to do so in the future? EUR offers partially paid parental leave and fully paid additional birth leave for partners, and our campus features a daycare (daycare not paid for by EUR).

Employer

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) is an internationally oriented university with a strong social orientation in its education and research, as expressed in our mission ‘Creating positive societal impact’. EUR is home to 4.100 academics and professionals and almost 33.000 students from more than 140 countries. Everything we do, we do under the credo The Erasmian Way – Making Minds Matter. We’re global citizens, connecting, entrepreneurial, open-minded, and socially involved. These Erasmian Values function as our internal compass and create EUR’s distinctive and recognizable profile. From these values, with a broad perspective and with an eye for diversity, different backgrounds and opinions, our employees work closely together to solve societal challenges from the dynamic and cosmopolitan city of Rotterdam. Thanks to the high quality and positive societal impact of our research and education, EUR can compete with the top European universities. www.eur.nl.

Faculty / Institute / Central service

Engagement & Research Services (ERS) advances excellent research and engagement to maximize positive societal impact. ERS creates conditions for transparent, inclusive, collaborative, and impactful research through strategic and operational expertise. 

We provide pathways for talents to reach their full potential and we advance fruitful collaborations, enabling Erasmus University to be a front runner in embedding excellent research in society. The following areas of support are embedded within ERS: Business Development, Grant Support, Legal Counsels, Open Science, Research Data Management, Ethics Review and Research Intelligence. ERS is a relatively young service department within Erasmus University Rotterdam and is steadily building and extending its service portfolio. ERS provides support to all faculties of Erasmus University Rotterdam (occasionally to Erasmus University Medical Center).

Additional information

You can find more information about the EUR on our website www.eur.nl.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Mira Bückmann via mira.buckmann@eur.nl.

Applying

Please submit your application before the vacancy closing date, consisting of:

• A motivation letter outlining their vision on driving change.
• A CV highlighting relevant experience.

Interviews are expected to be held in week 24 en 25.

We look forward to receiving your application.

Persons of all gender identities or expressions, sexual orientations, religions, ethnicities, ages, neurodiversities, functional impairments, citizenships, or any other aspect are welcome to apply and join the EUR community.