Science Officer
Science Officer
COST - European Cooperation in Science and Technology
Brussels, Belgium
COST
The COST - European CO-operation in Science and Technology - provides networking opportunities for researchers and innovators in order to strengthen Europe’s capacity to address scientific, technological and societal challenges. There are three strategic priorities: Promoting and spreading excellence, fostering interdisciplinary research for breakthrough science, and empowering and retaining young researchers and innovators. COST implements its mission by funding bottom-up, excellence-driven, open and inclusive networks for peaceful purposes in all areas of science and technology.
The COST Association is an international non-profit association based in Brussels with a membership of 40 European countries. It draws its funding from the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, Horizon Europe, through specific Grant Agreements signed under the umbrella of a framework Partnership Agreement with the European Commission.
Position Responsibilities
The Science Officer’s primary responsibility is the implementation of the proposal submission, evaluation, selection and approval (SESA) procedure, as well as supporting the monitoring and final assessment of COST Actions. It is the Science Officer’s responsibility to follow-up and support the COST Actions by catalysing and supporting researchers, promoting inter-disciplinary research collaboration in a multi-disciplinary and multicultural environment across Europe and beyond. The Science Officer reports directly to the Head of Science Department.
This position will involve:
- Organising and executing the submission, evaluation, selection and approval procedure for new COST Actions;
- Implementing, managing and supporting approved Actions covering multiple Science and Technology fields;
- Gathering relevant information to identify results and outcomes and promoting the impact of COST Actions;
- Liaising with COST Review Panels while providing them administrative and scientific support;
- Liaising with the COST Scientific Committee while providing them administrative and scientific support;
- Taking responsibility for the management of the relevant budgets;
- Ensuring quality control and best practice;
- Maintaining an up-to-date knowledge and awareness of relevant scientific, research, and technology policy developments;
- Delivering and preparing quality briefings and reports when requested;
- Participating and actively contributing to the development of conferences, events, and workshops;
- Representing the COST Association in external meetings in Brussels and abroad, as requested;
- Providing Business Analysis support for the implementation of new tools and the re-engineering of existing tools, aiming at increasing Customer Satisfaction and operational efficiency;
- Fulfilling other responsibilities and tasks as necessary for the Science Operations Unit, as mandated by the Head of Science Operations;
- Fulfilling other responsibilities and tasks in the interest of the COST Association, as mandated by the Head of Science Department or by the COST Association Director.
Profile and Competencies
Candidates should demonstrate the following competencies:
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
- PhD or at least four years of full-time equivalent research experience, and with a minimum of 5 additional years of experience in science and technology fields;
- Recognised 5 to 8 years of experience in the evaluation and management of research projects, project monitoring and general science management;
- Experience in academic or not-for-profit environment;
- Knowledge of the European and national research structures and institutions;
- High standard of spoken and written English, knowledge of other European languages is beneficial.
SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES
- Experience with working in a science or technology environment (research background or knowledge appreciated);
- Familiarity with science and technology outreach activities;
- Good understanding of financial management and administration;
- Good interpersonal and networking skills at international level;
- High standard of working knowledge of MS Office systems, use of electronic data bases and Web sites.
OTHER COMPETENCIES
- Service-oriented attitude with a strong sense of purpose and drive to make a meaningful contribution to the COST mission;
- Team-oriented work ethic;
- Excellent organisational skills;
- Commitment to deliver tasks with quality while respecting deadlines;
- Demonstrable ability to balance multiple tasks and work well independently and collaboratively;
- Good inter-personal and communication skills in a multi-national context, including diplomacy, discretion and confidentiality;
- Solution-oriented to increase efficiency within the organisation;
- Positive and constructive attitude in a changing environment;
- Commitment and accountability to deliver on allocated tasks as entrusted by the Head of Unit;
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
The COST Association offers
- A full-time permanent contract under the Belgian law;
- Start date: as soon as possible;
- A European working environment located in Brussels;
- Unless a national of the ‘EU and EEE’, candidates must be eligible to work in Belgium and must have a work permit.
Electronic applications - motivation letter with possible start date mentioned + CV in English (2 pages maximum) and at least 2 recent reference letters signed in English by the 1st round of interviews should be addressed to Barbara Bottiau and sent to job@cost.eu, mentioning the reference code SO2022.4 in the subject line. Please also mention the channel through which you applied.
On the CV, the complete months and years of experience have to be mentioned (example: from 01/05/2014 until 24/09/2020).
Please note that the COST HR Team will only contact the candidates who are invited to the interview. No individual feedback will automatically be given to unsuccessful candidates.
Successful candidates will be contacted the last week of September and invited to the first round which will take place in October in our office.
Address where the interviews will take place: COST Association – avenue du Boulevard/Bolwerklaan 21 – 1210 Brussels – (Near the Brussels North station).
For more information, please visit our website: www.cost.eu.
Deadline for application: 18/09/2022 included
All personal data provided by applicants will be dealt with in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC). Details about how we handle your data for recruitment purposes are to be found here.
