to support the development of the project’s innovation ecosystem.

The H2Start project is one of the largest scientific projects in Bulgaria, with total funding of EUR 30M, including EUR 15M directly from the EC Horizon Europe Teaming for Excellence programme and EUR 15M from national co-funding. The project is aimed at the creation of a new hydrogen technologies-based research and innovation center in Stara Zagora at Trakia University. The project includes the Bulgarian Hydrogen Association, as well as the Italian POLITO and CNR as international partners. The project will require a high speed of organisational development and significant capacity growth to ensure high-quality research and strong sustainability during the implementation period until 2031. The objective is to reach EUR 3M annual revenues from sources other than the initial investments.

Requirements for the Candidate:

• Experience in innovation development and innovation support activities
• Excellent knowledge of Bulgarian and good knowledge of English (both oral and written)
• Excellent communication skills and willingness to work with people
• Flexibility and good negotiation skills
• Good time management skills and ability to maintain set priorities

Preferences:

• Formal higher education or professional development in the field of innovation development/management
• Education – Master’s or PhD in physics, materials science, or chemistry
• Experience working with scientific personnel
• Experience with Horizon Europe or similar EU-funded projects is considered an advantage.

Main responsibilities:

• Create and organise the innovation system
• Engage and support scientists in innovation development (ideation, coaching, roadmap planning, commercialisation)
• Organise workshops for training, inspiration, and capacity building
• Organise formal processes relevant to innovation support (IP management, data and knowledge management, legal framework)
• Organise outreach activities for external stakeholder engagement (industry, startups, funding bodies)
• Engage H2Start project partners in innovation development
• Lead relevant tasks within the H2Start project
• Establish and manage the Knowledge and Technology Transfer Center

Work conditions:

• Bulgarian Full time labour contract
• Competitive remuneration package based on qualifications and experience
• Hybrid working model with at least 30% of time in-person in Stara Zagora
• Other social benefits
• Opportunity to gain valuable experience in one of the largest scientific projects in Bulgaria

Applications to be submitted via the form onwebsite:

https://www.balkaninvest.eu/jobs/head-of-innovation-and-knowledge-management/

Alternatively, you are also welcome to apply by email: h2start@balkaninvest.eu

Deadline for applications: Sunday, 14.06.2026

All information provided will be treated confidentially.