Expert (specialist) in Innovation

A.D.R. Nord-Vest initiates the selection procedure for filling 3 out-of-establishment positions as Expert (specialist) in Innovation within the fields defined by STEP with supervision within the Directorate for Project Evaluation, Selection and Contracting - DAMPRNV 2021-2027, full-time or part-time, for a fixed term of 3 months, remotely.

Key Responsibilities / Duties:

Purpose of the position

The innovation evaluator is responsible for analyzing, evaluating, and formulating independent and objective viewpoints on the technical quality, degree of innovation, technological maturity, and impact potential of projects submitted under call PRNV/2026/961/1 – “Support for projects with applicability in STEP fields in the North-West Development Region”, in accordance with the provisions of the North-West Regional Program, the Applicant's Guide, and the objectives of the STEP Platform (Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform).

The evaluator contributes to the selection of projects with innovation potential, competitiveness, and regional and European economic impact, in accordance with the provisions of the financing guide.

Recommendation regarding expert profile

The ideal evaluator is an expert with solid experience in research, development, and innovation, capable of objectively evaluating the level of technological maturity, the innovative character, and the economic potential of projects. The expert must understand the European innovation ecosystem, financing mechanisms, and the requirements of the STEP Platform, and be able to appreciate the contribution of projects to regional and European competitiveness. It is also recommended that evaluators have expertise in the development and/or commercialization of innovative technologies, in order to appreciate not only technological excellence but also the economic viability and market potential of funded projects.

The evaluator will have, but not be limited to, the following duties:

• technical and innovation evaluation of funding applications in accordance with the provisions of the applicant guides, the provisions of the ADRNV procedures, the provisions of applicable Romanian and European legislation;
• analysis of the degree of novelty of the proposed products, services, or processes;
• evaluation of the technological readiness level (Technology Readiness Level – TRL);
• analysis of technical feasibility and associated implementation risks;
• evaluation of the project's contribution to the development of European strategic technologies (STEP);
• assessment of the applicant's capacity to implement research-development-innovation activities;
• evaluation of the economic valorization and commercialization plan for results;
• formulation of clear, reasoned, and technically substantiated observations;
• participation in consensus and clarification processes when necessary;
• adherence to the principles of impartiality, confidentiality, and integrity.

Requirements:

Education and qualifications:

• Long-cycle university studies (graduated with a bachelor's degree), in a field relevant to one of the STEP sectors below:
• • engineering;
  • digital technologies;
  • computer science;
  • automation;
  • electronics;
  • telecommunications;
  • physics;
  • chemistry;
  • biotechnology;
  • medicine;
  • bioengineering;
  • advanced materials;
  • energy;
  • nanotechnology;
  • robotics;
  • artificial intelligence;
  • cybersecurity;
  • other fields relevant to STEP technologies.
• Doctoral and/or Master's degrees are an advantage.

Experience:

A. Minimum 7 years of professional experience (work experience) in the field of study completed from those requested.

Proven professional experience, relevant in one or more of the following fields, is an advantage:

• research-development;
• technological innovation;
• technology transfer;
• development of innovative products;
• innovation management;
• R&D project management;
• development and commercialization of technologies;
• evaluation of research and innovation projects;
• technological investments.

B. Mandatory requirement - competencies and/or expertise in STEP fields. The candidate must demonstrate (through at least one project in which they were involved or through their studies) competencies and/or expertise in one or more of the strategic fields covered by the STEP Platform:

I. Digital Technologies and Deep-Tech Innovation

II. Clean and Resource-Efficient Technologies

III. Biotechnology

IV. Other Relevant Strategic Technologies

Skills and competencies:

Technical competencies

• ability to analyze complex projects;
• understanding of research and innovation processes;
• evaluation of TRL level;
• evaluation of technological novelty;
• evaluation of technological risk;
• analysis of competitive advantage;
• evaluation of commercialization plans;
• intellectual property analysis;
• evaluation of scaling potential.

Analytical competencies

• critical thinking;
• synthesis ability;
• multidisciplinary analysis;
• interpretation of technical and economic indicators;
• identification of technological and commercial risks.

Communication competencies

• writing clear and reasoned reports;
• objective justification of scores;
• professional communication;
• participation in consensus meetings.

Digital competencies

Current use of:

• electronic evaluation platforms;
• Microsoft Office;
• online collaborative tools;
• databases for patents and scientific literature (Espacenet, Google Patents, Scopus, Web of Science etc.).

Recommended specific knowledge

• European research and innovation policies;
• European Union Industrial Strategy;
• STEP Platform;
• Smart Specialisation Strategies (RIS3);
• DNSH (Do No Significant Harm) principles;
• principles of sustainable development;
• state aid rules;
• intellectual property protection mechanisms;
• technology transfer and commercialization processes.

Elements that constitute an advantage

• holding a number of patents;
• participation in technology transfer projects;
• experience in deep-tech spin-offs or start-ups;
• experience in venture capital or technology investments;
• experience in innovation incubators and accelerators;
• experience in intellectual property evaluation;
• experience in university-industry collaborations;
• experience in R&D center management
• holding a Project Manager certification
• experience in evaluating projects funded by European funds;
• participation in scientific evaluation committees;
• peer-review activity for research programs;
• evaluation for Horizon Europe, Horizon 2020, EIC, Eureka, Eurostars etc.

Absence of conflict of interest and commitment to the confidentiality and impartiality agreement in accordance with internal ADR NV / AMPRNV regulations.