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Head of the Medical Sciences Unit

ESF - European Science Foundation - 03 July 2009

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Job Description

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, the ESF currently serves 80 Member Organisations, including Research Funding Agencies, Research Performing Organisations and Academies, across 30 countries.
 
The ESF covers all scientific fields via five Standing Committees, which deal with a wide ranging portfolio of strategic activities (Forward Looks, Science Policy Briefings) and their implementation (Research Networking Programmes, EUROCORES, etc.).
The European Medical Research Councils (EMRC) was created in 1971 as the membership organisation for all the medical research councils in Europe and is a Scientific Committee under the ESF since 1975. The mission of the EMRC is to promote innovative medical research and its clinical application towards improved human health. EMRC offers authoritative strategic advice for policymaking, research management, ethics, and better health services. In its activities, EMRC serves as a voice of its Member Organisations and the European scientific community. EMRC disseminates knowledge and promotes the socio-economic value of medical research to the general public and the decision makers.
 
Mission of the Position
In order to mobilise high-quality researcher-led co-operation in medical sciences in Europe and to provide a natural multi-national arena for such cooperation through its relations with Member Organisations, the Head of Unit is in charge of developing and implementing the recommendations expressed in strategic documents such as the recent EMRC White Paper on ‘Present Status and Future perspective for medical research in Europe’ and others.
 
This position will involve:
• Developing and implementing strategies to catalyse and support researchers and ESF Member Organisations, through promoting research collaboration in an inter- and multi-disciplinary environment across Europe and beyond;
• Overseeing and contributing to the development of policy and its implementation within the overall ESF Strategy, using the appropriate ESF instruments. Taking responsibility, as the Secretary of the Standing Committee of the European Medical Research Councils (EMRC) , for the mobilisation and motivation of  the Science Committee and for the development of strategic activities within the overall ESF Strategy, by ensuring that the Chair and the Committee have the appropriate support and are provided with quality information;
• Overseeing and participating in the impartial implementation of scientific quality control through the peer review process of proposals, responding to the relevant ESF Calls and the evaluation of ongoing and completed activities;
• Liaising on behalf of the EMRC Standing Committee with ESF Member Organisations and external scientific bodies, as well as with ongoing ESF-supported networks.
Representing ESF in external meetings,
• Publicising and informing the Medical Sciences Community through publication such as the quarterly Newsletter, the Web and liaising with the ESF Communications Unit;
• Taking responsibility for the management and achievement of budgets of specific activities;
• Ensuring compliance with external contract obligations, including European
Commission contracts;
• Managing the performance of the Medical Sciences team in a professional manner and contributing to the senior management of the ESF.
 
Profile and Competences required
The successful jobholder should demonstrate the following competences:
 
Specific competences
• Ph.D, or equivalent research experience in the field of biomedical sciences preferably with a further 10 years research experience in a relevant science area; Doctorate in Medical, Pharmaceutical or Veterinary Sciences would be a plus.
• In-depth knowledge of European and national research structures and institutions (especially ESF Member Organisations) and of European and international science policy;
• Proven experience in implementing peer review processes;
• Proven experience in securing and coordinating external scientific contracts;
• Demonstrated people management skills and experience in a performance-based human resources environment;
• High standard of spoken and written English, with a working knowledge of French or another European language being an advantage but not a requirement;
• Good working knowledge of MS Office systems and of electronic databases and Web sites.
 
Inter-personal competences:
• Action-orientated, responsible and autonomous, 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;
• Leadership, motivational and staff management & development skills;
• Proven organisational skills;
• Excellent presentational skills;
• 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 to a candidate looking for an extremely rich scientific and people management role in a European context. The duration of the contract is three years, preferably starting  in October with the possibility of an extension of 2 years.
• The place of work is Strasbourg and the job will involve regular travel.
• The salary level will be based on the experience and qualifications of the successful candidate and will follow ESF terms and conditions.
 
Please send your application by 13 August 2009 to jobs[at]esf.org quoting the following reference identifier MEDSCI-HOU.
Interviews will be held in Strasbourg on 1 September 2009.
 
ESF welcomes applications from disabled candidates. ESF premises are fully equipped for disabled access.
We encourage both men and women with relevant qualifications to apply.
 
Further details at www.esf.org

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