Science Officer – Inclusive Science Cluster

Science Officer – Inclusive Science Cluster

ESF – European Science Foundation

Strasbourg, France

For over 50 years, ESF (European Science Foundation) has been a trusted partner for research management in Europe and beyond. As a non-governmental, non-profit association, we connect researchers and implement innovative solutions to strengthen the European scientific landscape.

Our main activities include:

• Research quality assessment and grant evaluation;
• Support and hosting for scientific structures and networks;
• Management of research funding programmes;
• European project coordination, management and communication.

The Inclusive science cluster of ESF has many ongoing EC-funded projects within its portfolio, covering topics such as gender equality, citizen engagement, research ethics, institutional change, and open science.

Are you seeking to support institutions and researchers into the implementation of gender equality and ethics policies and actions? Are you keen to contribute to the development of new projects fostering inclusive science?

In the frame of our development, ESF is inviting applications for a Science Officer within its Inclusive Science cluster. The mission of this position is to ensure the completion of ESF commitments towards the EC-funded projects SUPPORTER, ENFIELD and RESIST, coordinate ESF’s scientific activities and contribute to the development of new projects.

This position will involve:

• Ensuring technical/scientific and administrative management of EU-funded projects and/or project activities within the project portfolio of the Inclusive Science cluster of the organization;
• Implementing ESF science management tools in alignment with established processes and deadlines;
• Contributing to the development of new projects and programmes in close collaboration with senior staff;
• Taking responsibility for the management and achievement/meeting of budgets for EU funded projects/specific activities in compliance with ESF financial rules and delegated financial authority and providing information necessary to Administration and Finance for the regular production of financial reports;
• Contributing to promoting a climate of positive, trustful and respectful staff relations by encouraging communication and information-sharing, by resolving staff issues in a timely manner;
• Keeping up-to-date with relevant scientific and research policy developments.

The Science Officer should demonstrate the following competencies:

Specific technical competencies:

• M.Sc., but preferably Ph.D, with at least 5 years research management and administration experience;
• Demonstrable experience of EC-funded project management in the context of H2020 and/or HE;
• Interest in responsible research and innovation principles;
• Experience in developing and implementing gender equality plans (GEPs), or mentoring their implementation would be an asset;
• Experience in designing and implementing participatory methods (ex: co-creation workshops, stakeholder consultations), particularly for the co-design of policy recommendations;
• Established knowledge of the European R&I landscape, the ERA policy agenda (incl. up-to-date knowledge of the gender agenda) and European funding programmes;
• Experience on data collection and analysis (quantitative and qualitative) of the implementation of gender policies, frameworks, or GEPs would be an asset;
• High standard of spoken and written English (C2), with a working knowledge of another European language being an advantage;
• High level writing and presentation skills;
• Good staff management skills in an international collaborative environment;
• Good working knowledge of MS Office systems.

Specific personal competencies:

• Proven organisational skills and capacity to deliver allocated tasks and respond in a timely manner to deadlines;
• Assertive with ability to influence decision-making;
• Ability to create links and promote networking;
• Excellent communication skills across cultural and scientific boundaries, showing discretion, diplomacy and tolerance;
• Excellent presentational skills;
• Ability to represent ESF in the scientific community;
• Action-orientated and responsible;
• Creative, willing to take initiative, and continuously improvement-minded;
• Ability to work independently within the context of objectives set by the Head of Unit;
• Transparency in working and a team-orientated work ethic;
• Positive and constructive attitude.

Employment conditions:

• The position is expected to be full-time (100% FTE) and will start as soon as possible;
• The contract is offered for a duration of 18 months;
• The person selected for the position will be working from the ESF Headquarters in Strasbourg;
• Flexible working conditions (teleworking policy…) and attractive benefits.

Please send your application (cover letter + CV in English) by 19 November 2024 to [email protected] quoting the following reference SOIS24. Interviews will be held in Strasbourg on 21 November 2024.

The ESF will not discriminate, nor allow its staff to discriminate, against any member of staff or applicant for employment or ex-employee on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, age, ethnic, national, cultural or social origin, skin colour, physical appearance, religion or believes, marital or parental status, mental or physical disability, political opinion, social or economic situation, or health status.