Job description
Project Lead - Tech Transfer and Incubation
Location: Fully remote. Candidates based in a country with a 28DIGITAL office are preferred. Around 10% travel within the EU is expected.
Contract: Self-employed status
Detailed Description of Work
The Project Lead will manage a portfolio of EU-funded projects in the Tech Transfer and Incubation (TTI) business unit of 28DIGITAL, with a focus on supporting deep tech researchers, spinoffs, and early-stage ventures across Europe. The role covers the full project lifecycle, from grant preparation and kick-off to implementation, reporting and closure. A background in research commercialisation, technology transfer, or incubation is not required but will be considered an advantage. Responsibilities can include:
- Plan and manage 28DIGITAL’s participation in assigned EU projects, working with the TTI team and internal departments.
- Take on different roles depending on the project, from consortium coordinator to partner delivering a specific service (e.g. an incubation programme or training).
- Coordinate consortium activities, partner contributions, work plans and timelines.
- Ensure timely, compliant delivery of milestones and deliverables in line with the Grant Agreement.
- Coordinate reporting, monitor project progress, risks, staff effort and budget against plan, and follow up on deviations.
- Act as the main contact point for funding agencies, Project Officers and consortium partners. Represent 28DIGITAL at international project events.
- Support the implementation of project activities linked to startup and innovation support, such as incubation and acceleration programmes, open calls and cascade funding, mentoring and investor-readiness activities.
- Help connect project results with 28DIGITAL’s tech transfer and venture programmes, and contribute to new proposals and consortium building.
Profile required
Key Skills / Expertise Required
- Postgraduate degree.
- At least 5 years of hands-on project management experience in EU-funded innovation projects (e.g. Horizon Europe, Digital Europe, Erasmus+ or similar).
- Proven experience coordinating consortia and Work Packages, as well as preparing deliverables, periodic reports, etc. on the beneficiary side.
- Strong working knowledge of the rules and regulations of EU grants, and hands-on experience with the Funding & Tenders Portal.
- Familiarity with the innovation and startup support ecosystem: tech transfer, venture incubation and acceleration, open innovation, or entrepreneurship programmes.
- Proactive and autonomous, able to manage several projects in parallel and find solutions independently.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills in English.
- Strong practical experience with project management tools and processes.
Assets
- Experience managing open calls for startups or SMEs.
- Experience with incubation or acceleration programmes, startup selection, mentoring or investor-readiness activities.
- Knowledge of IP, valorisation and exploitation of project results.
- A network across European funding agencies, innovation hubs, incubators, academia and industry.
The ideal candidate: A hands-on EU project manager who enjoys the day-to-day managing of projects, and has proven experience doing so in the innovation ecosystem: tech transfer, startup support, incubation and acceleration.
Company description
28DIGITAL Description
On 10/16/2026