The University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD) – already recognized as a national and international R&D reference in the viti-vinicultural domain – aspires to make its role even more important, relevant and strategic. The Vine and Wine Innovation Platform intends to be an excellence research center, supporting the Portuguese wine industry to be more competitive through world class research leading to practical solutions and delivering educational training and knowledge transfer.

The Platform aims to develop scientific and technological activities, in order to incorporate high levels of scientific knowledge and innovation in the regional wine industry by:

• fostering the internationalization;
• undertaking strategic and applied research based on the priorities of grape growers and winemakers and the demands of the industry in general;
• providing a help desk service to answer queries from stakeholders and conducting problem-solving investigations;
• delivering technical information via websites, bulletins and other publications;
• publishing scientific reports and papers;
• conducting thematic events on research and applied results;
• supervising postgraduate students and providing training to undergraduate students and the wine community.

DUTIES AND DELIVERABLES
The Director will integrate the Executive Committee, reports to UTAD’s Rectory and take into account the guidelines of both the Advisory Board and the Scientific-Technical Council.
As such, the Director will be responsible for:

• Representing the Platform in its main contacts with domestic and international stakeholders;
• Formulate the overall strategic programme;
• Plan, manage and monitor the execution of the programme’s R&D activities in conjunction with the project’s team leaders;
• Track, monitor and report on the overall progress and performance, mitigating risks and taking corrective actions as required;
• Assess research outputs for commercial potential and IP protection and take the relevant operational initiatives;
• Promote the continuous participation of the research teams in international research programmes;
• Promote the transfer of knowledge and technology.
• In addition, the Director will lead and develop initiatives to exploit different financial sources to support the Platform’s mission.

CANDIDATE PROFILE
The candidate will have the following qualifications:

• Advanced university degree in Viticulture, Oenology or a related field (e.g. agronomy, biology, chemistry, management, economics)
• Demonstrated experience in research programmes and knowledge and technology transfer;
• Aptitude to attract external funds;
• Experience in public speaking and coordinating multi-stakeholder events;
• Excellent skills in English;
• Additional proficiency in other languages would be desirable but not a prerequisite;
• Experience in national and international funding programmes.

APPLICATION COMPONENTS
An introduction letter indicating how your qualifications and experience prepare you for the position, detailed CV and two letters of recommendation.

Additionally, candidates should send a short CV, maximum 2 pages, highlighting the most relevant qualifications and job experiences. Candidates should send the application to acordeiro@utad.pt and to pr_pe@utad.pt

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For additional information please contact:
Ana Cantante at acordeiro@utad.pt or through the phone number +351 259 308 203.