Vacancy: (assistant) Innovation Advisor

The Netherlands Embassy in London offers an interesting position for an Innovation Advisor to explore, promote and broker technology and innovation collaboration between the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. We are looking for a candidate with a strong interest in technology and innovation, and an adequate understanding of relevant industry developments.

  • Job title: (Assistant) Innovation Advisor (Innovatie adviseur)
  • Network: Netherlands Innovation Network (Innovatie Attaché Netwerk)
  • Mission:  Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, London
  • Job level: 07
  • Number of working hours per week: 38,0 (1 FTE)
  • Publication date: 24 April, 2025
  • Closing date:  8 May, 2025

The ideal candidate is familiar with the role of enabling technologies, either through a technical or industry background or through a good understanding of innovation policy. Knowledge of at least one of the innovation areas we work in, such as -but not limited to -semiconductors, photonics, microelectronics, emerging computing paradigms is considered a plus.

In addition, the Innovation Advisor will help consolidate and expand our relevant networks, both in the UK and the Netherlands and will be responsible for organising incoming missions of industry, knowledge institutes and/or public authorities, and other events such as seminars, workshops, and lectures.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and COMPETENCIES

  • Academic degree in a technical domain, or able to demonstrate knowledge of one or more technical domains, for example through (innovation) policy experience;
  • Relevant work experience, preferably in an international environment;
  • General understanding innovation policy, R&D programs, including EU programs (i.e. Horizon Europe);
  • General understanding of the innovation landscape in the UK (universities, research institutes and industry, government structures);
  • Fluent in English (reading, writing and verbal), with knowledge of the Dutch language considered a plus.

  • Competencies:

  • ability to think analytically;
  • demonstrable sensitivity to organisational needs and interest;
  • good planning and organisational skills;
  • capable of working in a team and independently;
  • ability to exercise discretion.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

We offer a dynamic working environment, both in terms of substance and key stakeholders. The selected candidate is part of the Netherlands Innovation Network (NIN) in the UK and based at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands in London.

Netherlands Innovation Network (NIN)

The Netherlands is a world leader in science, technology and innovation (ST&I), and ranks high in the global competitiveness index. To foster its global position as an innovation leader and to strengthen its global competitiveness, the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs & Climate Policy established the Netherlands Innovation Network (NIN).

The NIN stimulates international cooperation between companies, research institutes and public authorities in the field of innovation, technology and science. The network's activities help execute the international knowledge and innovation agenda of the Dutch government. We support the further development of key enabling technologies and address societal challenges through international cooperation and a worldwide network of offices.

We develop international cooperation by:

providing knowledge and information on the latest innovation, technology and science developments around the world;
liaising with potential partners abroad;
organising innovation missions, seminars, workshops, and matchmaking events abroad;
identifying funding mechanisms for bi- and multilateral cooperation.
In our work in the UK we cover innovation in (mainly) high tech fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum technology, photonics, robotics, and semiconductors.

NIN team for the UK

The Assistant Innovation Officer is part of the NIN team in the UK, consisting of a Chief Innovation Advisor and two (Senior) Innovation Advisors.

Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

The NIN team for the UK is based at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in London. With around 90 staff members, the Embassy is one of the largest in the Dutch diplomatic network worldwide. The NIN team is part of the multi-disciplinary economic cluster at the Embassy. The Assistant Innovation Advisor will work closely with several departments, mainly within the economic cluster.

SALARY and EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS

We offer a competitive salary at local staff pay scale 7 (step 0-15: GBP 4,344- GBP 6,516) with a starting salary in the range of step 0-4 (GBP 4,344 - GBP 4,923) gross per month, depending on the number of years of relevant work experience.

APPLICATION and SELECTION

If you would like more information regarding this position, please contact Chief Innovation Advisor Marjolein Bouwers via e-mail / 07590639770.

Candidates are required to submit a motivation letter and resume in either English or Dutch via e-mail by 8 May 2025 close of business.

Candidates whose letter and resume are considered to match the formal requirements will be invited for an interview. A second interview may be part of the selection process.

*Please note that you need to have the right to work in the UK