Senior Scientific Officer

ABOUT US 

The Human Frontier Science Program Organization (HFSPO) is a unique organization, supporting international collaboration to undertake innovative, risky, basic research at the frontier of the life sciences. It is supported financially by 16 countries and the European Commission. Since 1990, over 8500 researchers from more than 70 countries have been funded. Of these, 29 HFSP awardees have gone on to receive the Nobel Prize. 

Celebrating 35 years of success in supporting excellence at the frontiers of the natural sciences, HFSPO is poised to start implementing a new Strategic Plan that charts a path for strategic and organic growth. HFSPO aims at strengthening its core programs for the support of frontier research, improving the integration of scientists from all member countries, and creating novel opportunities by diversifying the HFSPO Membership and engaging with important research communities thereby evolving its Shared Values. 

The Senior Scientific Officer is key in this critical phase towards increased scientific impact and wider outreach of the Program. Under the supervision of the Director of Awards and the Chief Scientific Officer and closely working with the Secretary-General, the incumbent will be entrusted with three main tasks: Actively participating in scientific outreach activities with the HFSP awardees, alumni and the wider scientific communities, contributing to the development of the Program, and supporting award management. 

This is a new position that calls for a dynamic person willing to help driving the ambitious change agenda laid out in the new strategy. 

ABOUT THE POSITION 

Position: Senior Scientific Officer 

Contract Type: Three-year contract renewable once 

Reference: HFSPO/2024/SSO 

Deadline: 11 November 2024 

Interviews: December 2024/January 2025 

Team: 

Reporting to the Director of Awards and Chief Scientific Officer, this new position is currently part of a team of 6 colleagues (2 Directors, 4 officers) in charge of the HFSP Awards, i.e. Research Grants, Postdoctoral Fellowships and the new Accelerator Program.  

Job Description: 

Award life cycle 

Supports the annual cycle for HFSP Awards, including currently the HFSP Research Grants, HFSP Accelerator Grants, the HFSP Fellowships and the S4S Initiative. 

Supports the Director of Awards in all aspects of the peer review process of the applications including selection of HFSP review committee members, and the selection and assignment of mail reviewers. 

Takes responsibility for the peer review process as assigned, including the preparation, organization, operation of the meetings and the documentation of results. 

Prepares reports for award statistics and research output. 

Liaises with Awardees and their Research Organizations, to ensure excellence in post-award administration, compliance with HFSPO policies and sapiential support of awardees. 

Actively integrates in the day to day handling of proposals and award management 

Scientific outreach activities 

Contributes to the HFSP Annual report, HFSP Science Digest, Award Booklets and other outreach material, actively proposing content based on HFSP funded research.  

Provides input to Frontier Workshops, Conferences and other events. 

Contributes to all scientific communication and outreach activities of HFSPO. 

In close cooperation with the Science Communications Division, prepares the work for creating an active alumni community as well as ensures best visibility of the breadth of frontier research that is funded by HFSPO. 

Program development and implementation 

Contributes creatively to program development with proposals, background analyses, and literature review, as required. 

Prepares background information and documents in preparation of Program evaluations. 

Supports the drafting of guidelines, reference documentation and policies underpinning the award cycle and new initiatives. 

Qualifications: 

Required 

The ideal candidate has a scientific background and a PhD level degree in the life sciences or in scientific disciplines at the intersection with life sciences, ideally with a cross-disciplinary and international career path. 

At least 7 years hands-on experience following the PhD combining academic research and grant writing, including experience with research funders and peer review. 

Demonstrated knowledge in a scientific field within the scientific realm of HFSP. 

Excellent scientific writing skills. 

Willingness and curiosity to learn about the broad spectrum of scientific research supported by HFSP is indispensable. 

Attention to detail and scientific rigor. 

Demonstrated ability to manage a substantial and varied workload effectively, including managing competing demands, maintaining accuracy, and coordinating activities across and within divisions within the Organization 

Strong project management skills. 

Strong team player with an ability to listen and collaborate with a wide range of colleagues, experts and strategic partners. 

Excellent interpersonal skills, and experience of working in a multi-national/cultural environment. 

High proficiency in Microsoft Office and software packages used for peer review and grant management is required.  

Native proficiency in English with outstanding editing and writing skills are essential. 

Location: 

The position holder is expected to work most of the time from the HFSPO Secretariat in Strasbourg (teleworking policy in place). The position will involve international travel. 

Contract: 

The position is an initial fixed-term three-year contract (including a 4 months’ probation period) followed by a maximum of three-year extension. 

Competitive salary in reference to the OECD international remuneration scale, including coverage for health, unemployment, retirement and insurance package to the candidate including family under the rules of French law. International candidates are eligible for moving and installation expenses, and may qualify for expatriation allowance. 

WORKING WITH US 

HFSPO holds strong shared values, which align with promoting scientific excellence at the frontier of life science. HFSPO takes pride in its distinct culture which contributes to scientific excellence through paradigm shifting international, interdisciplinary and collaborative research. HFSPO values diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, open science and sustainability and is committed to the highest ethical standards of integrity, accountability, independence and impartiality, transparency, respect and professional conduct. On this basis, the Program supports and nurtures individual scientists at all stages of their career and the scientific community at large. 

HOW TO APPLY 

Please submit your application through the HFSP dedicated platform (https://bit.ly/4d1LjoM) by 11 November 2024. Please include your CV and a letter of motivation listing two references. 

Interviews will be conducted in December 2024/January 2025.