Science Officer in the Life , Earth and Environmental Sciences (LESC) Unit

The European Science Foundation (ESF) provides a platform for its Member Organisations to advance European research and explore new directions for research at the European level. Established in 1974 as an independent non-governmental organisation, ESF currently serves 80 Member Organisations (Research Funding Agencies, Research Performing Organisations and Academies) across 30 countries.

The Standing Committee for Life, Earth and Environmental Sciences (LESC) aims for a better understanding of biological, environmental and earth systems across time and space scales. LESC covers activities from molecular and systems biology over regional ecosystems to global changes in the earth’s system. LESC achieves these goals through Member Organisations and through synergetic actions with Standing Committees, Expert Committees, COST Domain Committees and external partners.

Mission

The mission of the position is to promote and assist research collaboration in an inter- and multi-disciplinary environment across Europe and to support initiatives of ESF Member Organisations on the European stage.
Tasks include running ESF peer review processes, supporting the development of a pan-European science policy, and representing the Foundation in the European research area and in Member Organisations.

Position Responsibilities
This position will involve:

• Supporting the relevant ESF scientific committee within the overall ESF Mission and its strategic activities (Forward Looks, Exploratory Workshops, Science Policy Briefings, Research Conferences, MO Fora, EUROCORES, Research Networking Programmes, etc). This includes providing quality papers and reports;
• Implementing ESF scientific instruments, and other approved ESF activities;
• Organising scientific quality control, guaranteeing high quality through a peer review process of proposals, and evaluation of ongoing and completed activities;
• Scientific management of EUROCORES Programmes according to the EUROCORES procedures;
• Management of specific activities and their budgets in compliance with ESF Financial Rules and Delegated Financial Authority.
• Liaising with ESF Member Organisations, COST and external scientific bodies;
• Publicising and informing the research community (writing material for publications and the web) and liaising with the ESF Communications Unit;
• Supporting the Head of Unit in the management of her/his direct staff.

Profile and Competences required

The successful applicant must demonstrate the following competencies:

Specific competencies

• Ph.D, or equivalent research experience in Life Sciences, preferably in molecular biology, with a further 5+ years work experience in a relevant scientific area;
• Ability to work independently within the context of objectives set by the Head of Unit and the Scientific Committee, and to create links and promote networking of researchers;
• Good working knowledge of European and national research structures (especially ESF Member Organisations) and institutions, and of European and international science policy;
• Demonstrable experience of project evaluation processes and experience in managing research projects;
• High standard of spoken and written English, with a working knowledge of another European language being an advantage;
• Ability to draft concise and clear scientific documents;
• Good working knowledge of MS Office software and of electronic databases and Web sites.

Inter-personal competencies:

• Action-orientated, responsible  and self-managed, creative and willing to take initiatives, and continuously improvement-minded;
• Strong inter-personal and excellent communication skills within a multi-national context, including discretion, diplomacy and tolerance;
• Assertive with capability of guiding decision-making procedures and to represent ESF in the scientific community;
• Excellent presentation skills;
• Proven organisational skills;
• Basic experience/training in people management;
• Transparency in working and a team-orientated work ethic;
• Commitment to deliver on allocated tasks and respond in a timely manner to deadlines;
• Positive and constructive attitude;
• Capable of demonstrating the ESF’s values: Excellence, Openness, Responsiveness, Pan-European approach, Ethical Awareness and Human Values.

Employment conditions

• This full-time position is offered for a 3 -year contract, preferably starting as soon as possible, with the possibility of an extension.
• The place of work is Strasbourg, France and the job will involve a significant amount of travel.
• The salary level will be based on the experience and qualifications of the successful candidate and will follow ESF terms and conditions.