Position Description

The SustAInLivWork Center of Excellence is inviting applications for the position of Project Expert acting as Head of the Grant Development HUB. This HUB is responsible for identifying R&I funding opportunities, supporting the preparation of grant proposals, advising on project implementation, providing training for researchers, and promoting international collaboration through AI research networking.

Reports to: Director of the CoE.

Type of Contract: Project-based contract until 31 August 2029, full-time employment (40 hours/week).

Remuneration package: 34 EUR per hour. Gross income (in Lithuanian, BRUTO) is the amount of salary or wages paid to an individual by an employer before any deductions are taken.

Location: SustAInLivWork Centre of Excellence (CoE) (Artificial Intelligence Excellence Centre at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU)), Kaunas, Lithuania.

The role requires on-site presence at KTU, with with the possibility of partial remote work.

Application Start Date: 05 December 2025.

Main duties and responsibilities

Project Expert acting as the Head of the Grant Development HUB will:

• Identify relevant national and international research and innovation (R&I) funding opportunities that align with the CoE’s strategic priorities;

• Support researchers and research groups in preparing competitive proposals and forming interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral consortia;

• Coordinate proposal development processes and ensure compliance with funder requirements, including budgeting and administrative documentation;

• Provide training, guidance, and tools for successful project preparation and participation in international research programs;

• Contribute to strengthening the visibility and positioning of the CoE within international research and innovation networks, with a focus on sustainability and AI-related initiatives;

• Prepare and provide the Director with data and input for annual reports and annual activity plans related to project development, proposal coordination, and international collaboration;

• Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) related to funding success rates, proposal quality, and researcher participation;

• Support the Director in ensuring effective implementation of strategic research development initiatives through high-quality project planning and execution.

• Act in accordance with the Center's internal rules, perform the duties defined in the official CoE documents, and comply with the applicable regulations and procedures of KTU.

Requirement for the Candidate

Applicants should meet the following requirements:

• Impeccable reputation and high professional integrity, particularly in research project development, international funding, and public funding management.

• Hold at least a Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., management, economics, engineering, social sciences, or related disciplines); a PhD is considered as an advantage.

• Have at least 3 years of professional experience in R&I funding acquisition, proposal writing, and/or coordination of multi-partner projects or consortia.

• Demonstrate proven experience in preparing and submitting competitive proposals for national and/or international programs (e.g., Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, Interreg, COST, EIC, national R&D schemes), including projects focused on sustainability and artificial intelligence, especially those applying AI in the manufacturing, energy, health, or transport sectors.

• Have a solid understanding of EU and national research policy frameworks and funding trends, and the ability to coordinate interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral consortia.

• Be familiar with project management practices, including budgeting, reporting, compliance, and risk management. Able to lead and coordinate teams under tight deadlines. Experience in developing, contributing to, or overseeing institutional or organisational strategies and initiatives is required.

• Language proficiency: Lithuanian (C1) and English (C1).

• Additional training or certifications in project development, EU funding, grant writing, consortium building, innovation management, or related fields will be considered an asset.
  

Benefits

• Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning.

• Flexible working hours.

• Social guarantees (vacation, sick leave, and parental leave) and additional social benefits.

• Access to state-of-the-art research facilities and resources.

• Opportunities for networking and collaboration with leading experts in AI and sustainability.

• Additional motivational incentives in accordance with the University's applicable remuneration policy.

Method of Applications’ Submission and Closing Date for Applications

• Please submit all the required documents via the KTU Career website https://karjera.ktu.edu/en-GB or by email cv@ktu.lt.

• Applications must be submitted by 19 December 2025 (inclusive).

• The contact person who will provide information about the application procedure Organisation Development Specialist Agnė Karabanovaitė, e-mail cv@ktu.lt.

The list of documents that each Applicant must submit:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV) clearly outlining how the applicant meets the position requirements.

• Copy of Master’s degree diploma(s) certifying higher education.

• Copy of PhD diploma (if applicable).

• Any other supporting documents the applicant considers relevant.

Equal Opportunity Statement: The Employer does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status.