RDI-Specialist

Job description
Are you an experienced project manager with a passion for making a positive impact on the environment? We are seeking a skilled and experienced individual to join our WaterLAB team in Savonia University of Applied Sciences as a RDI-Specialist in the department of Environmental Engineering. If you are motivated by driving projects to success, leading cross-functional teams, and contributing to sustainable solutions, we invite you to apply.

Your operations will be supported by the diverse Team of WaterLAB experts, who have extensive experience in solving water challenges, implementing challenging product development projects and field pilots, and goal-oriented cooperation with industrial customers and research institutes. Your work will contribute to successful research, product development and commercialisation of new water innovations with companies. You will also participate in research projects supported by regional, national or international funding agencies.

Your key responsibilities are:
- Lead the full project lifecycle from initiation to completion, ensuring adherence to scope, timeline, and budget.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop comprehensive project plans and strategies.
- Manage project resources, including personnel, budget allocation, and equipment.
- Monitor project progress, identify potential risks, and implement mitigation strategies.
- Foster effective communication with stakeholders, providing regular updates on project status.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, partners, and regulatory bodies.
- Write and submit proposals to secure funding for research projects (national and international)
- Communicate research findings to internal and external audiences, including industry partners, government agencies, and academic communities
- Prepare technical reports, publications, and presentations for conferences and seminars

You could be the person we are looking for if you have demonstrated experience in managing research, development and innovation projects. As the work requires communication with multiple stakeholders we expect you to have good communication and reporting skills and you have a passion for international networking. You might have more than one project going on simultaneously so you need good prioritizing and time management skills. In this role you will have the opportunity to come up with ideas for new projects and present new, fresh perspectives for developing our R&D activities. You are part of the WaterLAB Team, but you work independently, analytically and with a critical attitude on technical issues and deadlines. Thus you are able to work both independently and as part of the team. This is a three-year fixed-term position with the possibility of extension or conversion to permanent position .


We offer you:
- Opportunities for professional growth and development - You will learn a lot about project activities and get to know the Environmental Engineering Team's expertise area and its strengths for your advantage.
- Meaningful and versatile role in a fast growing smart water sector and possibility to see the future of the industry - Savonia is part of Kuopio Water Cluster which is the largest water ecosystem in Finland
- Exciting opportunity to work with the latest technology in water sector and combine research and business cooperation with interesting business partners
- International working environment and possibility to travel in some extent
- The possibility to work in a Great Place - Savonia has received the Great Place to Work® certificate since 2020 and in this year we were also selected as the best place to work in Finland in the category of Big Companies on the list of the Best Jobs in Finland.
- Relaxed and inspiring working atmosphere
- Employment benefits such as lunch and recreation benefit and several recreational activities
- Flexible working hours and remote working possibilities


We require you to have:
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Environmental Engineering (preferred) or other technical field.
- Proven experience (5+ years) in successfully managing engineering projects.
- Good leadership and team management skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
- Good oral and written English skills, knowledge of other languages is an advantage

We consider as an asset:
- Demonstrated ability to attract external funding
- PMP certification or equivalent (preferred but not required)
- Proficiency in leveraging project management software and tools.

The position will be filled from 1 November 2023 to 31 October 2026 and is full-time. The person selected for the position has a six-month probationary period. The terms and conditions of employment are determined in accordance with General collective agreement for the private teaching sector (Sivista).

Sounds like you?
Please submit your details including CV and motivation letter in PDF-format by the latest 14th of September via our application system Kuntarekry. We only take into account applications received electronically through the Kuntarekry (www.kuntarekry.fi). Please also mention your salary request and the earliest possible starting date in your application documents.