The Project Adviser / Scientific Officer in Ecology and/or Evolutionary Biology would join the “Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution” Panel Team (ERC Panel LS8), one of the nine Panel Teams of the “Life Sciences” Unit of the ERCEA’s Scientific Department. The Unit counts over 40 highly committed and qualified staff members, of which 4-5 are part of the ERC Environmental Biology Panel (LS8). The Project Adviser / Scientific Officer may also support other Panel Teams depending on their scientific expertise and the arising needs.
Tasks
Support in the coordination of the Evaluation and Selection of Research Proposals
• Support the coordination of the peer review process for the selection of research proposals for the relevant evaluation panels, including the preparation, organisation, operation of the meetings and the documentation of results;
• Contribute to the development of guidelines, orientations and new approaches relating to the proper implementation of the ERC programme.
Project Management
• Assess the scientific implementation of projects primarily in the Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution panel (LS8) through periodic reviews, reporting, etc.;
• Contribute to the analysis of the portfolio of ERC funded projects;
• As appropriate, analyse and assess the results and impact of the ERC programme, provide feedback and suggestions for improvement.
External Communication
• Present the ERC programme and project results at workshops, seminars, conferences and other public events, to external stakeholders;
• Contribute to publications produced by the ERC programme intended for external stakeholders;
• Extract and disseminate best practices and facilitate exchanges of experience;
• Collate information and draft replies to questions from external stakeholders;
• Produce reports and minutes on high-level meetings as required.
Eligibility Criteria
Contract Agents in the EU Institutions must fulfil the following general criteria:
(1) be a national of a member state of the European Union and enjoy full rights as a citizen;
(2) have fulfilled any obligations imposed by the applicable laws regarding military service;
(3) pass a test organised by the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) and be in possession of a valid EPSO CAST;
(4) meet the character requirements for the duties involved;
(5) be physically fit to perform their duties.
Selection Criteria
Essential 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.
✓ Moreover, we expect candidates to have the following skills and competences:
• 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
Employment Conditions
✓ 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 salary of 4.387,16 EUR.
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