Business Developer

The Netherlands Cancer Institute (‘NKI’) combines an excellent fundamental cancer research organization with a specialized cancer hospital in the only Comprehensive Cancer Center in the Netherlands. NKI is highly regarded internationally for the quality of its research and is characterized by a dynamic, informal, and international work environment in which employee initiatives are highly valued and supported.

Knowledge Transfer & Contracting
The Knowledge Transfer & Contracting department of NKI (‘KT&C’) helps both fundamental cancer researchers and clinicians to conclude research-related contracts, both with other academic research institutions as well as with industry and for both pre-clinical and clinical research. In addition, KT&C is charged with maximizing the chances that the Institute’s research results find application in healthcare, typically by working together with investors, entrepreneurs and established industry partners who have the commitment and resources to turn our research output into innovative products and bring them to market. 
One of NKI’s main aims is to see its scientific breakthroughs being turned into novel products and services that benefit cancer patients. KT&C manages the patent portfolio and other intellectual property assets of the institute. In addition, KT&C also handles all consultancy agreements for the institute and has a sizeable portfolio of research materials that it licenses to industry.

NKI participates in a new, nationwide initiative called ‘Biotechbooster’, which is funded by a 250M€ grant from the Dutch National Growth Fund (‘Nationaal Groeifonds’). Biotechbooster aims to generate more and higher-quality spin-off companies based on biotech innovations. NKI, through its KT&C department, participates in several of the ‘Thematic Clusters’ within the Biotechbooster initiative that deal with such innovations in the medical field. 

To support its role within this initiative, KT&C is looking to appoint a business developer who is highly motivated to contribute to the mission of our organization and that of Biotechbooster.

The role
The successful candidate will be working both within the KT&C team at NKI and within a Biotechbooster team that operates nationally and is led by the coordinator of one of the Thematic Clusters. He/she will thus report both to the head of KT&C as well as to this coordinator.

The role covers a broad spectrum of activities and tasks: 

• Evaluating research results for commercial potential and protection of intellectual property;
• Conducting market research, and identifying and approaching potential licensing/co-development partners;
• Negotiating license and research contracts, supported by KT&C’s legal team;
• Keeping abreast of developments in cancer research and in relevant industry sectors;
• Monitoring correct follow-up of commercial and research contacts;
• Supporting researchers and clinicians in their interactions with third parties;
• Performing due diligence on assets (IP, data, materials) that are the subject of interest from external parties;
• Providing training on IP matters and other aspects that are relevant to the work of NKI researchers; 
• Assisting in setting up new companies that aim to develop and commercialize novel products relevant to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer;
• Developing and maintaining an extensive network of:

- industry partners; 
- investors/entrepreneurs;
- Knowledge Transfer staff at other research organizations;
- funding bodies for cancer research;
- governmental organizations;
- service providers such as patent attorneys, law firms, etc.
 

Given the nationwide remit of the Biotechbooster program, the successful candidate will be expected to travel frequently to other research organizations within the Netherlands and will spend significant time outside of the NKI.

What do we expect from you?

• You are expected to be able to support a professional organization at a high-quality level; 
• You have extensive knowledge of molecular (cancer) biology, preferably gained as part of a completed PhD program, that allows you to have in-depth discussions with researchers on their research findings;
• You are knowledgeable and preferably have experience in evaluating research findings for commercial potential; 
• You are knowledgeable and preferably have experience in protecting intellectual property (e.g. through patent applications); 
• You are knowledgeable and preferably have experience in the further development and commercialization of such research findings; 
• You are market-oriented and ideally already have some experience as a negotiator; 
• We expect you to be an excellent communicator, particularly in English (both verbal and in writing), with good social skills and to be a self-starting, independent and flexible worker.

What do we offer?

• You will join a dynamic international research group;
• The position will initially be offered as a contract for a period up to the end of 2025, which marks the end of the initial funding phase of Biotechbooster, but to be changed to an open-ended contract after that initial period, subject to our satisfaction with your performance in the role and the extension of financial support for the Biotechbooster program for its full duration;
• NKI supports your further personal development through training, which can lead to expansion of your responsibilities;
• The gross salary per month can range from € 3.923,- to € 6.716,- (salary scale 60 or 65), depending on your background and experience; 
• The terms of employment will be in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch hospitals CAO Hospitals;
• In addition, you will receive a fixed end-of-year bonus (8,33%) and you will receive 8,33% holiday pay; 
• Your travel expenses will be reimbursed at € 0,23 per km; 
• Free parking at the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek is also part of the package; 
• Personnel is stimulated to use public transport and bicycle and therefore we offer an interesting arrangement for bikers; 
• Amsterdam is a stunning city with many cultural amenities. The institute is located within a 20-minute tram or bicycle ride from the center of Amsterdam and within 20 minutes from Schiphol airport by car, bus or bicycle.

Would you like to know more?
Please visit www.nki.nl, or contact Dr. Koen Verhoef, head of Knowledge Transfer & Contracting, 020 - 512 1998 (direct) or 06 - 2279 6805 (mobile), e-mail: k.verhoef@nki.nl

How to apply
Your application letter, CV and contact information of 2 references can be attached to the application link on our website. Ensure that your references information is attached together with your cover letter, as there is no option to submit them separately.
Apply by the 'Apply now'  button at the bottom of the page.
Take note: please respond to this vacancy only via the application button, and not via email.

Deadline: 
This vacancy is open until March 1st 2025