Project Manager for the Innovation Unit
Job advertisement summary:
The role is as a Project Manager for the University of Helsinki's HEVi DualBoost component implementation, where you will build dual-use projects with external funding (e.g., NATO, EDF, BF), lead consortia, and be responsible for reporting and financial monitoring.
The position requires strong knowledge of funding instruments, especially EDF, practical experience in building projects, networks in the Finnish defense ecosystem, and fluent English language skills.
The position is fixed-term until 31.10.2028 and begins according to the contract, and applications including a CV and cover letter must be submitted no later than 19.10.2026.
We offer a skilled and developing work community, flexible working hours, longer annual leaves, comprehensive occupational healthcare, and multi-location remote and on-site work opportunities.
This summary was created using AI.
The University of Helsinki is strengthening its innovation activities and the societal impact of research. Strategic focus areas are particularly increasing RDI cooperation with companies, supporting the emergence of new student- and research-based companies, creating open research infrastructures and testing environments, and strengthening the university's innovation culture.
The University of Helsinki is seeking a PROJECT MANAGER for the innovation unit of university services.
The position is fixed-term until 31.10.2028 and begins according to the contract.
About the role:
Your task is to serve as the Project Manager for the University of Helsinki's component implementation of the Helsinki+Espoo+Vantaa Innovations (HEVi) DualBoost (new business from dual-use technologies for the capital region) project. The core of your tasks is to build dual-use projects focused on innovation activities, corporate cooperation, and ecosystem development, to be implemented with external funding (e.g., Nato, European Defense Fund, BF) in cooperation with university researchers and external partners. In your role, you will actively participate in developing project ideas and building and leading consortia. Additionally, your tasks include reporting and financial monitoring of the University of Helsinki's component implementation. As part of your role, you will also build active stakeholder cooperation and participate in the activities of key networks. Success in the position is reflected in new partnerships, externally funded cooperation projects, and HY's more active participation in key dual-use networks.
What we expect from you:
The position requires strong knowledge of funding instruments, especially EDF, as well as practical experience gained in building projects. The role will involve working extensively around the innovation projects and cooperation of the different campuses of the University of Helsinki. Broad knowledge of the various research areas of the university will be helpful for success in the role. You are at home in building new cooperative relationships and you enjoy stakeholder cooperation. You already have established expertise, experience, and networks in the (Finnish) defense ecosystem.
Knowledge related to innovation activities and university-industry cooperation (e.g., research cooperation, innovation ecosystems, development and testing environments, innovation and research infrastructures, commercialization, education, and research activities) is considered an advantage. Project preparation work is done mainly in English, and success in the role requires fluent English written and spoken skills. Additionally, existing extensive international networks from relevant fields are considered an advantage.
Successful performance of the task requires the ability to work independently, the vision and expertise to build winning project entities, the desire to familiarize oneself with various content areas, and the ability to develop project cooperation with the university's scientific community and external partners.
What we offer:
You will become part of our skilled work community, which you will complement with your expertise and personality. We offer an interesting and diverse task with the opportunity to develop your own expertise. The University of Helsinki is a responsible employer, where balancing work and other life is an important value for the employer. We take care of your well-being and the smoothness of your daily life through, among other things, flexible working hours, longer annual leaves via the Annual Holidays Act, comprehensive occupational healthcare, and the diverse sports services of Unisport. At the university, we work multi-locally with remote and on-site work. Community is one of our values, and therefore we want to meet each other also on campuses. It is important to us to ensure the balance of work and leisure through flexibility.
Interested?
Apply for the position via the link below no later than 19.10.2026 and attach your CV and cover letter, in which you present your motivation and experience in your own words.
For more information about the position, contact Kalle Toivonen via email: kalle.toivonen@helsinki.fi
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