Post-award Manager, Contracts and Consortia

Do you want to strengthen LUT Universitys contract and consortium expertise? We are looking for a post-award manager (contracts and consortia) to join LUT Universitys post-award team, with a particular focus on projects funded by the EU and other international institutions. The position responds to the growing need for structured, proactive consortium and contract management and particular operational support during the implementation phase of projects. Large international research projects, increasing collaboration with industry, and evolving research security requirements call for strong operational expertise to ensure that contractual processes run smoothly and that projects are launched and implemented effectively in support of researchers and project teams. What you will do The role focuses on the post-award phase, especially on consortium management. You will be responsible for the operational preparation of consortium and collaboration agreements based on established templates and coordinate contract negotiations with international partners, including universities, research institutes, and companies. You will ensure that contractual processes are properly scheduled, documented, and monitored and that projects are launched in a structured and efficient manner. You will advise researchers and project managers on contractual matters and work closely with LUTs legal team in exceptional or risk-related situations. The role is not a legal representative position, but a solid understanding of legal principles is essential, particularly in matters related to intellectual property, data sharing, and company collaboration. You will also take an active role in project kick-off phases and may facilitate or present in early project meetings. In addition, you will support the operational management and implementation of projects by contributing to the preparation, review, and coordination of key project management plans. This includes supporting researchers and project managers in developing and maintaining plans related to data management, intellectual property, risk management, and other governance and compliance requirements. You will help ensure that these plans are aligned with contractual obligations, funder requirements, and consortium agreements and that they are practical and effectively integrated into the day-to-day running of the project. The work is varied and can be fast-paced, particularly when multiple EU projects move simultaneously from award to implementation. The position requires an independent, structured, and solution-oriented working style, strong prioritisation skills, and confidence to move matters forward decisively. What we expect from you You have a relevant masters degree. Your background may be in law, business administration, public administration, or another suitable field. A formal law degree is not required, but familiarity with legal concepts is important. Experience in research funding, EU or other international projects, and project administration is highly valued. A solid understanding of consortium governance and contractual processes is essential, as is experience in negotiating in international settings. You have strong organisational and process management skills and are able to work under time pressure. You are able to communicate clearly, confidently, and decisively with a wide range of international stakeholders, including academic partners, companies, and research organisations. You are comfortable representing LUT University in discussions related to contracts, consortium arrangements, and project implementation and can proactively move matters forward, facilitate agreement between partners, and ensure clarity in complex collaborative situations. You communicate fluently in both written and spoken English. Finnish language skills are considered an advantage but are not mandatory. Experience with EU funding programmes such as Horizon Europe or MSCA, the higher education sector, or industry collaboration is an asset. What we offer you You will join LUTs Post-award Research Services, a team that supports the universitys externally funded research projects in their implementation phase. As part of this expert team, you will play a key role in strengthening LUTs contract and consortium management capabilities and ensuring that international research collaborations run smoothly, professionally, and efficiently. You will also support the operational governance and successful implementation of international research projects. This position offers a unique opportunity to work at the core of international research cooperation, contributing to the establishment of robust contractual frameworks and supporting key project management and governance processes. You will work closely with experienced post-award managers, researchers, project managers, and internal support services forming an essential link between research and operational governance. The primary location of the position is Lappeenranta, where you will work closely with the LUT research services teams. Hybrid work is supported, and occasional travel to the Lahti campus may be required. The position follows the universitys 36.25-hour work week for expert and support staff, and flexible working hours promote a healthy work–life balance. The position is full-time and permanent. The salary is based on the university salary systems pay scale for expert and support staff, requirement level 10. The starting salary is approximately €4100–5000 per month, depending on your experience and qualifications. Your employment will begin with a six-month trial period. If you are ready to help build stronger international research collaboration here at LUT, we encourage you to apply! Interested? Please submit your application through the link below by 19 March 2026 at 23:59 (Finnish local time, UTC+2). We will review applications on a rolling basis, and the positions will be filled once suitable candidates are found. For more information about the position, call Senior Funding Advisor Julia Vauterin-Pyrhönen (phone +358 40 737 9840) on 2 March between 10:00 and 11:00, 3 March between 10:00 and 11:00, or 6 March between 10:00 and 11:00. You can also send email to or. Read more about [LUT as an employer](htt