Project Manager for Horizon-Europe research projects

About The Position

The Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management at the Faculty of Science (SCIENCE), University of Copenhagen is looking for a project manager to support the coordination and implementation of large, externally funded Horizon Europe research projects. The position starts on 1 September 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter and runs for three years.

The project manager will work across two to three research projects running in parallel at the department. The primary assignment is NextBON, a four‑year Horizon Europe project on biodiversity monitoring across Europe (22 partners, 16 countries). NextBON accounts for approximately six months of work per year. In addition, the position covers project management tasks for INFRA‑CARE, a three‑year SSH Horizon Europe project on strengthening the social fabric of the neighbourhood in the green transition through infrastructures of care (8 partners, 5 countries) and potentially one further project, together making up the remaining time.

The projects differ in subject matter and consortium size, but the project management tasks are broadly similar: keeping plans on track, supporting the coordinator, organising meetings and reporting, and serving as the practical link between partners, work package leaders and the university’s administration. The workload is not evenly distributed throughout the year; it increases significantly around consortium meetings, workshops and reporting deadlines and is lighter in between.

We expect the project manager to be available at full capacity during those periods and to plan compensatory time in quieter phases.

• Acting as the day‑to‑day administrative contact point for project partners and internal collaborators.
• Planning, organising and minuting kick‑off meetings, consortium meetings, workshops and follow‑up sessions.
• Tracking deliverables and milestones and supporting work package leaders and the project coordinator in maintaining progress.
• Coordinating the preparation and timely submission of periodic technical reports and deliverables to the EU Portal or other relevant funding bodies.
• Facilitating coherence across work packages, including cross‑cutting coordination meetings and follow‑up on joint activities.
• Contributing to data management and ethics documentation in collaboration with the data lead, ethics lead and researchers.
• Maintaining the project risk register and supporting the coordinator in handling consortium and collaboration agreements.
• Working with the department’s finance function and the university’s EU office on input to budget monitoring and financial reporting.

The position does not include independent research responsibilities. Financial management and direct contact with the REA or other funding agencies are handled by the university’s EU office. Scientific direction and strategic decisions rest with the scientific coordinator of each project.

• Hold a relevant master’s degree (e.g. natural sciences, social sciences, administration or a related field).
• Have documented experience with project management or administration of EU‑funded or other large research projects.
• Are experienced with structured follow‑up, planning and written documentation in multi‑partner settings.
• Communicate clearly in written and spoken English. Working proficiency in Danish is an advantage.
• Work independently, are well‑organised, and collaborate easily with researchers, administrative staff and international partners.

It is an advantage if you have experience with facilitation of workshops and meetings, and familiarity with the university sector or research administration.

• A varied position supporting research on nature, biodiversity, sustainable development and strengthening green transition through infrastructures, without research obligations of your own.
• Day‑to‑day collaboration with researchers and project partners in Denmark and across Europe.
• An informal administrative environment with room to develop project management practices at the department.

The position is time‑limited to three years (1 September 2026 – 31 August 2029). Employment will be as academic officer or special consultant under the collective agreement for Academics in the State. Salary follows seniority, with the possibility of negotiating supplements based on qualifications. The average weekly working time is 37 hours with flexible working hours.

The University of Copenhagen welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

07-06-2026

01-09-2026

Full time – 37 hours per week with flexible working hours.

Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen