IP & Technology Transfer Specialist

Introduction
The TU/e Knowledge Transfer Office (KTO) is the university’s hub for transforming scientific breakthroughs into real-world impact. A central component of this mission is the active identification, protection, and commercialization of intellectual property (IP) arising from TU/e research. You will join KTO’s IP support and technology transfer team, working closely with business developers, researchers, and TU/e Participations.

Job Description
We are looking for a tech-savvy IP professional with a strong understanding of deep‑tech innovation and a passion for translating scientific discoveries into societal and economic value. Rather than focusing mainly on legal tasks, this role emphasizes IP evaluation, technology positioning, commercialization potential, and strategic portfolio development, in close collaboration with inventors, business developers, and external partners.

This position offers autonomy, variety, and the opportunity to work at the interface of advanced technology, market opportunities, and intellectual property strategy at one of Europe’s leading engineering universities.

Key Responsibilities

1. Early‑Stage IP Scouting & Invention Evaluation

• • Engage directly with research groups to identify promising inventions and technology opportunities.
  • Assess technical merit, patentability, competitive landscape of new disclosures.
  • Guide researchers in drafting high‑quality Invention Disclosure Forms (IDFs) and in understanding IP processes.

1. IP Protection Strategy & Patent Portfolio Development

• • Shape the protection strategy for TU/e technologies, aligning it with scientific strengths and market relevance.
  • Coordinate with business developers on patentability assessments, prior art reviews, and filing decisions.
  • Organizing, filing and prosecution of new and existing IP filings.
  • Monitor the ongoing quality and positioning of TU/e’s patent portfolio, ensuring resources are focused on technologies with strong commercial promise.

1. Commercialization & Tech‑Transfer Pathway Development

• • Translate technical concepts into value propositions for industry partners, licensees, and potential spin-offs.
  • Work with business developers to explore licensing opportunities, market entry routes, and potential partnerships.
  • Support TU/e Participations and venture-building colleagues in preparing IP elements relevant for spin-off creation (ownership clarity, licensing structure, strategic fit).

1. Data‑Driven IP Insights & Automation

• • Use advanced tools, including AI-driven IP analytics, to identify technological trends, competitors, and whitespace opportunities.
  • Contribute to automating parts of the IDF intake, evaluation, and portfolio management workflows.
  • Help develop dashboards and analytical tools for IP portfolio monitoring and decision support.

1. Community Engagement & IP Awareness

• • Develop and deliver IP awareness activities, workshops, and materials for researchers and support staff.
  • Promote a culture of innovation and early reporting of research results across departments.
  • Act as a trusted advisor for researchers navigating commercializing their ideas.

Job Requirements
Education & Experience

• Academic background, preferably a Master or a PhD in engineering or physics or related technical fields.
• Experience in technology transfer, IP management, innovation support, or R&D environments (5–10 years).
• A solid understanding of patents and IP processes; legal training is welcome but not the focus of this role.

Expertise

• Strong affinity with:
  
  • IP strategy and technology positioning
  • Patentability assessments and technology landscaping
  • Commercialization routes for deep‑tech (licensing, partnerships, spin-offs)
  • Automation, digital tools, and data-driven portfolio insights
  • AI-supported patent analytics (preferred)

Skills

• Highly tech‑savvy and comfortable working with modern IP and data systems.
• Strong communication skills—able to translate technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• A collaborative mindset and the ability to serve as a connector between researchers, business developers, and external partners.
• Proactive, analytical, structured, and service‑oriented.
• Fluent English and preferably also in Dutch.

Conditions of Employment
An exciting position within an international yet personal university. You are right in the middle of the students, on a green campus within walking distance of the central station. Besides beautiful architecture, you will find varied workplaces and excellent sports facilities. We also offer you:

• Position 1.0 – 0.8 FTE; initial one-year contract with the intention of permanence.
• A monthly salary of minimum € 5,705 to maximum € 7,904 for full-time employment, depending on your knowledge and experience (scale 12/13 Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities).
• In addition to vacation pay, a structural end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.
• A favorable arrangement for more holidays or a sabbatical.
• A selection model for additional fringe benefits.
• Working hours in consultation for an optimal work-life balance.
• Scope for your talent with advancement prospects and excellent development opportunities such as mentoring, workshops and coaching.
• A dynamic, mission-driven work environment on a vibrant campus.
• Partially paid parental leave and reimbursement for commuting expenses, working from home and the internet.
• A generous employer contribution to the favorable ABP pension plan.
• Unlimited access to the modern on‑campus TU/e Student Sports Center at an exceptionally affordable rate, for you and, if applicable, your partner.

Here you can discover even more information about our conditions of employment. Build on your career at TU/e!

About us
We are a leading international university where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.

Our university is located in Brainport Eindhoven — a world‑leading tech region with more than 7,000 high‑tech companies and strong R&D activity. Known for breakthroughs in AI, photonics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, Brainport is a place where technology serves people and society. Learn more about the Brainport region here.

Research Support and Valorization consists of the Research Support Office (RSO) and startup helpdesk The Gate. RSO supports and unburdens researchers with obtaining external funding for their research and developing project proposals. At The Gate, business developers and IP-experts offer support in translating research results into successful innovations and new companies.

Information
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to have more information about the position, you can contact Euflex Search & Select, 100% subsidiary of TU/e.

Ceciel Gijsbers or Linde Keverkamp, cgijsbers@tue.nl resp. l.c.keverkamp.hoek@tue.nl, 0651164692 resp. 040-2476303

For questions about the application process or the conditions of employment, please contact ...

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application
If you are interested, please use the ‘apply’ button at https://www.euflex.nl/vacatures/project-officer-me-cb-htsc/ to send us your CV and letter of application with your motivation and a description of your qualifications.

Screening of candidates begins as soon as applications are received and continues until the position is filled. Where applicable, internal candidates will be given priority over external candidates where they are equally suitable.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Important for non-EU applicants: Please be aware that for this position, specific residence permit requirements apply. If you are a non-EU national, you may not be eligible to legally work in this role under current Dutch immigration regulations. We strongly advise you to contact our Staff Immigration Team (staffimmigration@tue.nl) before applying to check your eligibility and to receive further guidance.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

IP & Technology Transfer Specialist

We are looking for a tech-savvy IP professional with a strong understanding of deep‑tech innovation and a passion for translating scientific discoveries into societal and economic value. Rather than focusing mainly on legal tasks, this role emphasizes IP evaluation, technology positioning, commercialization potential, and strategic portfolio development, in close collaboration with inventors, business developers, and external partners.

This position offers autonomy, variety, and the opportunity to work at the interface of advanced technology, market opportunities, and intellectual property strategy at one of Europe’s leading engineering universities.

Key Responsibilities

1. Early‑Stage IP Scouting & Invention Evaluation

• • Engage directly with research groups to identify promising inventions and technology opportunities.
  • Assess technical merit, patentability, competitive landscape of new disclosures.
  • Guide researchers in drafting high‑quality Invention Disclosure Forms (IDFs) and in understanding IP processes.

1. IP Protection Strategy & Patent Portfolio Development

• • Shape the protection strategy for TU/e technologies, aligning it with scientific strengths and market relevance.
  • Coordinate with business developers on patentability assessments, prior art reviews, and filing decisions.
  • Organizing, filing and prosecution of new and existing IP filings.
  • Monitor the ongoing quality and positioning of TU/e’s patent portfolio, ensuring resources are focused on technologies with strong commercial promise.

1. Commercialization & Tech‑Transfer Pathway Development

• • Translate technical concepts into value propositions for industry partners, licensees, and potential spin-offs.
  • Work with business developers to explore licensing opportunities, market entry routes, and potential partnerships.
  • Support TU/e Participations and venture-building colleagues in preparing IP elements relevant for spin-off creation (ownership clarity, licensing structure, strategic fit).

1. Data‑Driven IP Insights & Automation

• • Use advanced tools, including AI-driven IP analytics, to identify technological trends, competitors, and whitespace opportunities.
  • Contribute to automating parts of the IDF intake, evaluation, and portfolio management workflows.
  • Help develop dashboards and analytical tools for IP portfolio monitoring and decision support.

1. Community Engagement & IP Awareness

• • Develop and deliver IP awareness activities, workshops, and materials for researchers and support staff.
  • Promote a culture of innovation and early reporting of research results across departments.
  • Act as a trusted advisor for researchers navigating commercializing their ideas.

Process Engineer Epitaxy

Introduction
Would you like to contribute to realizing new materials with atomic precision for future generation photonic and quantum devices? Do you enjoy working in a cleanroom environment with state-of-the-art epitaxy equipment and young motivated people? Are you an experienced process engineer or highly fascinated by crystal growth and ready for the next step in your career? Apply now, to explore the option to join our team as a Process Engineer Epitaxy!

Job Description
As a process engineer, you master and supervise different epitaxial techniques such as metal-organic vapor-phase-epitaxy (MOVPE) and molecular-beam-epitaxy (MBE) in the cleanroom. You participate in training and supporting students and NanoLab users on this complex equipment. The ambition of NanoLab is to increase the number of users, and to improve efficiency, you are involved in developing and applying new teaching methods, for instance by on-line or virtual-reality techniques. In collaboration with research groups, you develop new recipes for crystal growth and analyze the grown structures. You are pro-active in aiding in the installation of new tools, and maintenance activities to have a smoothly running operation.

In the position you are responsible for:

• Training PhD students and Nanolab customers on MOCVD / MBE tools;
• Developing, qualifying and improving epitaxy processes;
• Supporting and mentoring PhD students and NanoLab customers with process development;
• Providing assistance with troubleshooting activities on MOCVD / MBE equipment;
• Guiding the installation and release of new MOCVD / MBE tools, including managing supplier relations;
• Providing pro-active communication and issue-resolution towards all Nanolab visitors;
• Acting as process/machine owner within your area of expertise.

About Nanolab@TU/e

NanoLab@TU/e runs an open semiconductor manufacturing facility, offering cleanroom access to a wide variety of internal and external customers. It hosts 80+ tools for deposition, etching, lithography and metrology applications. Nanolab@TU/e will have doubled its number of visitors by 2030. By the end of 2028, NanoLab@TU/e is scheduled to move into a new cleanroom, growing from 800 m2 to 1200 m2 of cleanroom floor space. In the position of Process Engineer you will become part of the NanoLab@TUe team, currently counting 15 people, realizing this growth ambition together.

Job Requirements

• Technical Diploma (MBO+, HBO) or Engineering Degree in relevant technical field.
• Experience with semiconductor manufacturing equipment, preferably epitaxial tools.
• Proficiency in English; Dutch is a bonus
• Hands-on and energetic team player with effective communication skills
• Enthusiastic about academic research and training the next generation of scientists.

If you are concerned that you don’t meet all the requirements sufficiently, but the job does excite you, then be sure to respond, we would love to look at your profile.

Conditions of Employment
An exciting position within an international yet personal university. You are right in the middle of the students, on a green campus within walking distance of the central station. Besides beautiful architecture, you will find varied workplaces and excellent sports facilities. We also offer you:

• A monthly salary of minimum € 3,382 to maximum € 5,057 for full-time employment, depending on your knowledge and experience (scale 8 or 9 Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities).
• In addition to vacation pay, a structural end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.
• A favorable arrangement for more holidays or a sabbatical.
• A selection model for additional fringe benefits.
• Working hours in consultation for an optimal work-life balance.
• Scope for your talent with advancement prospects and excellent development opportunities such as mentoring, workshops and coaching.
• Partially paid parental leave and reimbursement for commuting expenses, working from home and the internet.
• A generous employer contribution to the favorable ABP pension plan.
• Unlimited access to the modern on‑campus TU/e Student Sports Center at an exceptionally affordable rate, for you and, if applicable, your partner.

Here you can discover even more information about our conditions of employment. Build on your career at TU/e!

About us
We are a leading international university where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.

Our university is located in Brainport Eindhoven — a world‑leading tech region with more than 7,000 high‑tech companies and strong R&D activity. Known for breakthroughs in AI, photonics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, Brainport is a place where technology serves people and society. Learn more about the Brainport region here.

The Department of Applied Physics and Science Education is a research-driven department housing high-quality educational programs, all featuring strong connections between research and education. Our research is clustered in three focal areas: Fluids, Bio and Soft Matter (FBSM); Plasmas and Beams (PB); and Nano, Quantum and Photonics (NQP). Our shared ambition is to equip the next generation of ‘engineers of the future’ with the knowledge and the skills they will need to impact science, innovation, and society, from regional to global scales.

Information
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to have more information about the position, please contact the hiring manager, Wilbert Rooijakkers, Managing Director Nanolab@TU/e, w.j.m.rooijakkers@tue.nl.

For questions about the application process or the conditions of employment, please contact Marloes Thoolen, HR Advisor, m.thoolen@tue.nl.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application
If you are interested, please use the ‘apply’ button to send us your CV and letter of application with your motivation and a description of your qualifications. Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. We give priority to complete applications.

Screening of candidates begins as soon as applications are received and continues until the position is filled. Where applicable, internal candidates will be given priority over external candidates where they are equally suitable.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Important for non-EU applicants: Please be aware that for this position, specific residence permit requirements apply. If you are a non-EU national, you may not be eligible to legally work in this role under current Dutch immigration regulations. We strongly advise you to contact our Staff Immigration Team (staffimmigration@tue.nl) before applying to check your eligibility and to receive further guidance.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

Equipment Engineer Litho & Epitaxy

Introduction
Would you like to contribute to realizing new materials with atomic precision for future generation photonic and quantum devices? Do you enjoy working in a cleanroom environment with state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment and young motivated people? Are you an experienced equipment engineer and ready for the next step in your career? Apply now, to explore the option to join our team as a Equipment Engineer Litho & Epitaxy!

Job Description
As an equipment engineer you will be supporting the operational integrity and reliability of advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment, including several large tools used for epitaxial growth and the DUV lithography cluster. You will work closely together with other equipment and process engineers from NanoLab, as well as research group leads, PhD and Master students.

Key responsibilities include:

• installation, commissioning and modification of new tools, such as an MOCVD tool and a track.
• organizing and supporting the preventive/corrective maintenance on these tools.
• troubleshooting and problem rootcause analysis; improving uptime and reliability.
• maintaining contacts with the equipment suppliers and stakeholders.
• ensuring compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
• acting as a sparring partner for the team and management.

About Nanolab@TU/e

NanoLab@TU/e runs an open semiconductor manufacturing facility, offering cleanroom access to a wide variety of internal and external customers. It hosts 80+ tools for deposition, etching, lithography and metrology applications. Nanolab@TU/e will have doubled its number of visitors by 2030. By the end of 2028, NanoLab@TU/e is scheduled to move into a new cleanroom, growing from 800 m2 to 1200 m2 of cleanroom floor space. In the position of Equipment Engineer you will become part of the NanoLab@TUe team, currently counting 15 people, realizing this growth ambition together.

Job Requirements

• Technical Diploma (MBO+, HBO) or Engineering Degree in relevant technical field.
• Experience with large semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
• Experience with cleanroom operations and vacuum systems.
• Experience with handling of toxic gasses or willingness to get the relevant certification.
• Passion for working with high tech equipment in a fast-changing environment.
• Proficiency in English; Dutch is a bonus.
• Hands-on team player with effective communication skills and pro-active attitude.

If you are concerned that you don’t meet all the requirements sufficiently, but the job does excite you, then be sure to respond, we would love to look at your profile.

Conditions of Employment
An exciting position within an international yet personal university. You are right in the middle of the students, on a green campus within walking distance of the central station. Besides beautiful architecture, you will find varied workplaces and excellent sports facilities. We also offer you:

• A monthly salary of minimum € 3,382 to maximum € 5,057 for full-time employment, depending on your knowledge and experience (scale 8 or 9 Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities).
• In addition to vacation pay, a structural end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.
• A favorable arrangement for more holidays or a sabbatical.
• A selection model for additional fringe benefits.
• Working hours in consultation for an optimal work-life balance.
• Scope for your talent with advancement prospects and excellent development opportunities such as mentoring, workshops and coaching.
• Partially paid parental leave and reimbursement for commuting expenses, working from home and the internet.
• A generous employer contribution to the favorable ABP pension plan.
• Unlimited access to the modern on‑campus TU/e Student Sports Center at an exceptionally affordable rate, for you and, if applicable, your partner.

Here you can discover even more information about our conditions of employment. Build on your career at TU/e!

About us
We are a leading international university where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.

Our university is located in Brainport Eindhoven — a world‑leading tech region with more than 7,000 high‑tech companies and strong R&D activity. Known for breakthroughs in AI, photonics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, Brainport is a place where technology serves people and society. Learn more about the Brainport region here.

The Department of Applied Physics and Science Education is a research-driven department housing high-quality educational programs, all featuring strong connections between research and education. Our research is clustered in three focal areas: Fluids, Bio and Soft Matter (FBSM); Plasmas and Beams (PB); and Nano, Quantum and Photonics (NQP). Our shared ambition is to equip the next generation of ‘engineers of the future’ with the knowledge and the skills they will need to impact science, innovation, and society, from regional to global scales.

Information
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to have more information about the position, please contact the hiring manager, Wilbert Rooijakkers, Managing Director Nanolab@TU/e, w.j.m.rooijakkers@tue.nl.

For questions about the application process or the conditions of employment, please contact Marloes Thoolen, HR Advisor, m.thoolen@tue.nl.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application
If you are interested, please use the ‘apply’ button to send us your CV and letter of application with your motivation and a description of your qualifications. Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. We give priority to complete applications.

Screening of candidates begins as soon as applications are received and continues until the position is filled. Where applicable, internal candidates will be given priority over external candidates where they are equally suitable.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Important for non-EU applicants: Please be aware that for this position, specific residence permit requirements apply. If you are a non-EU national, you may not be eligible to legally work in this role under current Dutch immigration regulations. We strongly advise you to contact our Staff Immigration Team (staffimmigration@tue.nl) before applying to check your eligibility and to receive further guidance.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

Process Engineer Epitaxy

As a process engineer, you master and supervise different epitaxial techniques such as metal-organic vapor-phase-epitaxy (MOVPE) and molecular-beam-epitaxy (MBE) in the cleanroom. You participate in training and supporting students and NanoLab users on this complex equipment. The ambition of NanoLab is to increase the number of users, and to improve efficiency, you are involved in developing and applying new teaching methods, for instance by on-line or virtual-reality techniques. In collaboration with research groups, you develop new recipes for crystal growth and analyze the grown structures. You are pro-active in aiding in the installation of new tools, and maintenance activities to have a smoothly running operation.

In the position you are responsible for:

• Training PhD students and Nanolab customers on MOCVD / MBE tools;
• Developing, qualifying and improving epitaxy processes;
• Supporting and mentoring PhD students and NanoLab customers with process development;
• Providing assistance with troubleshooting activities on MOCVD / MBE equipment;
• Guiding the installation and release of new MOCVD / MBE tools, including managing supplier relations;
• Providing pro-active communication and issue-resolution towards all Nanolab visitors;
• Acting as process/machine owner within your area of expertise.

About Nanolab@TU/e

NanoLab@TU/e runs an open semiconductor manufacturing facility, offering cleanroom access to a wide variety of internal and external customers. It hosts 80+ tools for deposition, etching, lithography and metrology applications. Nanolab@TU/e will have doubled its number of visitors by 2030. By the end of 2028, NanoLab@TU/e is scheduled to move into a new cleanroom, growing from 800 m2 to 1200 m2 of cleanroom floor space. In the position of Process Engineer you will become part of the NanoLab@TUe team, currently counting 15 people, realizing this growth ambition together.