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Senior Scientific Officers

Science Europe

Brussels, Belgium

Background

Science Europe (www.scienceeurope.org) is an association of 50 European research funding and research performing organisations in 27 countries, with an Office based in Brussels.
The Office has a team of 18 staff (Director, Head of Research Affairs, Head of Policy Affairs, Communications Manager, three Senior Policy Officers, six Senior Scientific Officers, Office Manager, IT Officer, Events and Publications Officer, and two Administrative Assistants).
Science Europe promotes the collective interests of its member organisations and facilitates collaboration between them, for example by developing common positions on science policy issues at European level. The Association is informed by direct representation of all scientific communities in its reflections on policies, priorities and strategies, through six Scientific Committees. These Committees are:
  • Medical Sciences;
  • Life, Environmental and Geo- Sciences;
  • Social Sciences;
  • Humanities;
  • Physical, Chemical and Mathematical Sciences (including Materials Sciences);
  • Engineering (including Geo- and Bio-engineering and Technological Sciences).
These Committees are each composed of 15 members and have a threefold mission:
In order to achieve their objectives, the Scientific Committees conduct the following activities:
  • Publishing written opinions, recommendations or brochures;
  • Engaging with science policy experts from Member Organisations, and other experts, on specific issues considered by Science Europe;
  • Organising workshops and conferences to discuss issues with other experts and stakeholders; and
  • Meeting in plenary two or three times a year in order to assess their activities and define their upcoming work plan.

Vacancy

Science Europe is currently looking for two new Senior Scientific Officers to support the Science Europe Committees, specifically the Life, Environmental and Geo- Sciences Committee and/or the Medical Sciences Committee.
Information about the Science Europe Committees can be found here: http://www.scienceeurope.org/scientific-committees/the-scientific-committees/.
These positions are within the Research Affairs team of Science Europe. Both posts are available immediately.
Contract duration:2 years

Location

The posts will be based full time in Brussels, Belgium.

Responsibilities

  • You will work within a team of six Senior Scientific Officers (SSOs), reporting to and regularly briefing the Head of Research Affairs; on issues relating to the Committee;
  • You will provide a secretariat function for one or two Committees on request, including preparing meetings, managing communication with members and writing minutes;
  • You will support the Committee Chair(s), and other members as required, for example in developing agendas and work plans, organising events and drawing up reports and recommendations;
  • You will manage the projects of the Scientific Committee(s), as defined in the work plan (supporting Committee members, establishing a  timeframe, defining and managing tasks, anticipating and co-ordinating internal/external processes, and collaborating with other Science Europe staff members);
  • You will act as co-ordination point for all of the Committee’s activities, including preparation of meetings, conferences and events, and will manage the logistics of all Committee activities, in collaboration with the administration team;
  • You will prepare and draft documents and publications for a wide range of target groups and in different formats (e.g. position papers, opinion papers, brochures), in collaboration with other Science Europe staff when needed;
  • You will organise meetings and events, including expert workshops, in co-ordination with other staff members as appropriate;
  • You will participate in activities to foster inter-disciplinary issues between Committees, in collaboration with colleagues;
  • You will liaise with external stakeholders regarding Committee strategy and activities, in order to promote and disseminate the Committee’s work;
  • You will brief and inform the Committee on European science policy developments in the relevant area, to ensure a central science policy dimension in the Committee’s activities;
  • You will work closely with the Communications Manager, the Policy Affairs Unit and other staff, to ensure that relevant outputs from the Committees are widely disseminated and achieve impact; and
  • You will contribute to other activities of the Office, outside of your core portfolio, as necessary and appropriate.

Profile

Essential Requirements
  • You have a PhD degree or equivalent active research or science policy experience in a discipline related to life sciences, environmental sciences, geosciences, biomedical or medical sciences, or health care;
  • You have a sound background and experience in research policy, research administration and/or research management/co-ordination, ideally within research funding or performing organisations (or similar);
  • You have experience working with senior academics, ideally in a policy context;
  • You have a sound understanding of the European research policy landscape (including the European Research Area, European funding structures and institutions, and related science policy issues), and/or EU regulatory affairs;
  • You have excellent inter-personal, networking, negotiation and persuasion skills;
  • You have sound briefing and analytical skills;
  • You have excellent written and verbal communication skills, and are able to deliver clear and concise presentations, reports and articles;
  • You have strong organisational skills, and the ability to manage your time and to work to deadlines;
  • You are team-oriented and able to work collaboratively with colleagues for a common goal;
  • You are also able to work independently and without supervision when required;
  • You have a pro-active, flexible and ‘hands on’ approach to work;
  • You are fluent (both spoken and written) in English, which is the working language of Science Europe; and
  • You are willing to travel within Europe if required (though your main activities will be in Brussels, occasional travel for short periods may be necessary).
Desirable Elements
The following skills and experience would be beneficial:
  • First-hand experience of managing or supporting committees, either with a scientific or a policy focus;
  • Experience of organising meetings and other events (workshops, seminars or conferences);
  • Experience of writing policy documents;
  • A good basis in project management;
  • Experience of working in an international environment; and
  • Knowledge of other European language(s).

Salary and Benefits

You will have the opportunity to help shape a recently-founded organisation, and a high level of autonomy and a great challenge is therefore guaranteed.
These positions are full time (40 hours per week) for two years with the possibility of extension.
Science Europe offers a competitive salary, in the range of €4022 to €4597 gross monthly salary, as well as benefits such as chèques repas (meal vouchers), ‘13th month’ (additional salary payment in December), hospital and group insurance and extra vacation days. The salary offered within this range will be dependent on level of experience.  
Please note that Science Europe is established under Belgian law, and that employment is within the Belgian tax and social security system. Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Belgium.
Posts can also potentially be filled on a secondment basis (for example, a secondment from a Science Europe member organisation). 

How to Apply

Please apply by sending your CV and a cover letter in English to careers@scienceeurope.org

Your cover letter (maximum two pages) should clearly outline your suitability and motivation for the post.  Please also include with your application the names and contact details of two people who could provide a reference if you are short-listed for interview. Incomplete applications, or applications in languages other than English, will not be considered.
The deadline for applications is Friday 3 July 2015.

Interviews 

Interviews are provisionallyscheduled for Thursday 23 and/or Friday 24 July 2015, and will take place in Brussels.  If you know in advance that you will not be available on one or both of those days, please indicate this clearly in your cover letter.

Further Information

Please direct any questions to careers@scienceeurope.org; telephone + 32 (0)2 226 0300.