Program manager Imagine4drugs

Job description

We are in need for a program manager for the coming 4 years for the project Imagine4drugs.

IMAGING4DRUGS is building an integrated molecular imaging infrastructure to accelerate drug development. To help establish and run this platform, we are looking for a commercially minded, biomedical trained, highly organized, and communicative professional for the Coordination Office.

In this role, you will be the first point of contact for internal and external users of the infrastructure. You will connect researchers, clinicians, core facilities, and external partners, and help translate ideas into clear project plans and well-organized collaborations. You combine strong communication skills with administrative precision, a service-oriented mindset, and an eye for opportunities to strengthen visibility, positioning, and external engagement.

This is not a purely scientific role and not a classic project-management role. We are looking for someone who enjoys operating at the interface of academia and industry, who can make complex processes manageable, and who is comfortable engaging with start-ups, SMEs, biotech, medtech, and pharma partners, and last but not least can talk with MDs. You understand how to build relationships, create trust, and keep projects moving from first contact to execution.

Key responsibilities

• Serve as the front door for new project requests and collaboration opportunities.
• Coordinate intake, feasibility discussions, planning, documentation, and follow-up across multiple facilities and departments.
• Help prepare project proposals, quotations, timelines, presentations, and supporting paperwork.
• Support contracting, finance, reporting, KPI tracking, and day-to-day coordination of the office.
• Maintain oversight of ongoing projects and ensure smooth communication between scientific, operational, legal, and financial stakeholders.
• Contribute to branding and visibility of IMAGING4DRUGS through partner-facing communication, outreach materials, website/news updates, and events.
• Help build professional, transparent, and user-friendly workflows for access to the infrastructure.
• Support board reporting and continuous improvement of office processes.
• Support PharmaNL reporting for IMAGING4DRUGS, including monitoring of project progress, milestones, KPIs, and preparation of programme documentation and updates for internal and external stakeholders.

Work environment

At the Department of Medical Oncology, part of the Oncology Cluster and Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) at the UMCG, clinicians, molecular biologists, pharmacists, and researchers of various nationalities work closely together with a team of project managers and research coordinators in an inspiring environment.

Our main common goal is to improve the treatment and outlook of cancer patients. We achieve this through innovative research, funded in part by organizations such as the Dutch Cancer Society (KWF), ZonMW, and the EU. We also conduct research into new treatment options in collaboration with other universities and pharmaceutical companies.

Candidate profile

We are looking for someone who is proactive, structured, and comfortable in a dynamic environment with many stakeholders. You are able to switch easily between scientific content, operational coordination, and external relationship management.

You likely bring:

• a master’s degree or PhD, preferably in life sciences, biomedical sciences, health, innovation, or a related field;
• experience in project coordination, business development, research support, valorization, partnership management, or core facility operations;
• strong communication skills in English; Dutch is a major advantage;
• experience with budgets, quotations, contracts, reporting, or administrative coordination;
• affinity with branding, outreach, and the professional presentation of a scientific infrastructure;
• a hands-on, solution-oriented, and highly organized way of working.

Experience in an academic medical center, research infrastructure, biotech, pharma, medtech, or CRO environment would be a strong plus.

What do we offer

A unique opportunity to help build a high-impact infrastructure at the interface of molecular imaging, drug development, data, and translational research. You will work in an ambitious multidisciplinary setting with strong academic and external partners. Your salary will be a maximum of € 5.867,- gross per month (scale10 as of July 1st), depending on your qualifications and relevant experience, based on a full-time appointment. The period is temporary with a maximum of four years. Additionally, the UMCG offers an 8% holiday allowance, an 8.3% year-end bonus.The conditions of employment comply with the Collective Labour Agreement for Medical Centres (CAO-UMC).

For questions about the position

Not your vacancy?