Project Adviser / Scientific Officer In Ecology in the ERC

Job Description

ERC Project Advisers / Scientific Officers support the work of senior external scientific experts (“Peer Reviewers”) in evaluating proposals for ERC grants and monitor the scientific progress of ERC-funded projects in their Panel Team or Panel Teams, under the supervision of senior Scientific Officers / Panel Coordinators. Key strengths needed to establish trust-based relationships with different stakeholders and to manage demanding situations include effective organisational, analytical and communication skills, as well as outstanding drafting and presentation skills. ERC Project Advisers / Scientific Officers need to demonstrate the capability to drive independent work forward in the context of a broader team effort. While not being directly involved in scientific research, the position requires an excellent knowledge of the state of the art in the field and the ability to leverage this knowledge for portfolio analysis and for research project management.

Tasks

• Support in the coordination of the Evaluation and Selection of Research Proposals
• Project Management
• External Communication

Selection Criteria

• Strong academic background in Ecology and/or Evolutionary Biology, including at least a completed Master’s level degree in a relevant scientific area (e.g., Ecosystem and Community Ecology, Biodiversity, Environmental Change, Evolutionary Ecology, Evolutionary Genetics, Macroevolution and Paleobiology, Marine Biology, Microbial Ecology and Evolution).
• In addition, a minimum three years of professional research experience, or a PhD, in a relevant scientific area of the “Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution” panel (LS8).
• Knowledge of English at level C1 and of another official EU language at B2, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Skills

• Outstanding drafting and presentation skills, with an eye for detail;
• Ability to work well under pressure in demanding situations and ability to handle several tasks simultaneously;
• Ability to deliver quality and results individually and in a team while working in a multicultural environment;
• Strong organisational and communication skills;
• Knowledge of European research policies and programmes.

Advantageous selection criteria

• Good knowledge of the state of the art in the field, and ability to make use of it in portfolio analysis and feedback to policy;
• Further research experience in a relevant area for the profile as team member or team leader;
• Experience in working as a researcher in international research projects and/or the management of research projects;
• Professional experience acquired in an EU Institution, an international organisation or a national research funding organisation. Experience managing processes for the scientific evaluation of proposals and the scientific monitoring of funded projects.

Benefits

• One-year contract, with the possibility of renewal. A permanent contract/contract of indefinite duration can be offered after two fixed-term contracts of one year each.
• A basic salary (before EU Institutions’ tax*) between 3.877,47 EUR and 5.616,29 EUR depending on the length of the professional experience. On top of the basic salary, the remuneration package may include further monthly allowances (an expatriation allowance amounting to 16% in addition to the basic salary; a household allowance; etc.). For example, a Project Adviser who has six years’ professional experience after the qualifying degree, who is single, and who is entitled to an expatriation allowance, earns an estimated monthly net salay of 4.387,16 EUR.
• Generous leave entitlements; recuperation of overtime worked; flexible working hours; full international health insurance coverage under the European Union Institutions’ Joint Sickness Insurance Scheme; access to the European Union’s pension plan after ten years of service.
• An inspiring and multicultural working environment in the heart of Brussels, Belgium. The ERCEA cares about well-being and offers ample opportunities for personal and professional learning and development.
• Free access to a European School and access to childcare facilities of the European Commission.

More information

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