Science Officer position in Information and Communication Technologies

Highlights:

1. The European Science Foundation provides administrative and scientific management for COST, its Domain Committees and its Actions through the COST Office in Brussels and corporate support services in Strasbourg.
   This is achieved through a support grant provided to the ESF by the European Commission. COST is an intergovernmental system supporting European research networking.
2. The ESF seeks a full-time Science Officer (SO) in the Domain of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) for its COST Office in Brussels.
3. The Science Officer position will imply the management of the ICT Domain, by catalysing and supporting researchers, Domain Committees and COST Actions, promoting inter-disciplinary research collaboration in a multi-disciplinary environment across Europe and beyond.
4. Science Officer position responsibilities:
1. Implementing the scientific networking programme scheme, and approved programmes, under the direction of the Senior Science Officer, within the overall COST strategy and the policies established for the relevant COST Domain Committees and assisting the Senior Science Officer in supporting science activities (COST Actions, Strategic Workshops, “Frontiers of Science” and “COST-ESF Scientific Days” as joint activities with ESF), etc;
2. Delivering and advancing specific and quality papers and reports, related to the Science in Society Cluster and the dedicated Domain (ICT), to the Senior Science Officer in a timely manner and respecting deadlines;
3. Organizing scientific quality control and responding to the COST Open Call, related to the ICT Domain;
4. Taking responsibility for the management of the Domain budget;
5. Providing scientific secretariat for the ICT Domain Committee and its Chair;
6. Liaising with COST Domain Committee Chairs and other external scientific bodies and networks and providing support;
7. Contributing to the Science Cluster activities;
8. Promoting and centralising publication needs according to the Domain requirements;
9. Representing the COST Office at external meetings;
10. Promoting a climate of positive, trustful and respectful staff relations by encouraging communication and information sharing, by resolving staff issues in a timely manner in order to help the team member achieve;
11. Supervising staff performance and workload distribution in a professional manner, including the timely completion of performance appraisals, regular feedback, and appropriate action planning and continually enhancing the level of competencies of the Science Cluster by investing in the development and learning of the staff, and by actively participating in the selection of external talented candidates;
12. Maintaining an up-to-date awareness of relevant scientific and research policy developments.

1. Profile and competencies: Specific competencies
1. Ph.D, or equivalent research experience, preferably with a further 5-10 years research experience in a relevant science area;
2. Proven experience with grant assessment and review processes and experience of science management;
3. Knowledge of European and national research structures and institutions and European and international science policy;
4. Networking skills;
5. Strong experience in people management;
6.  another European language being an advantage but not a requirement;
7. Good working knowledge of MS Office systems and of electronic databases and Web sites.
2. Inter-personal competencies
1. Action-orientated, responsible and self-managed, creative and willing to take initiatives, and continuous improvement minded;
2. Leadership, staff management and motivational skills;
3. Strong inter-personal and excellent communication skills within a multi-national context, including discretion, diplomacy and tolerance;
4. Assertive and capability to guide decision-making procedures and to represent COST in the scientific community;
5. Proven organisational skills;
6. Good presentational skills;
7. Transparency in working and a team-orientated work ethic;
8. Commitment to deliver on allocated tasks and respond in a timely manner to deadlines.

The ESF offers:

• An international working environment located in Brussels at avenue Louise 149, 1050 Brussels;
• Initial fixed duration contract of 3 years, with an initial probationary period of 6 months;
• Competitive salary;
• Candidates must be eligible to work in Belgium and must have a Work Permit unless a national of the ‘EU and EEA.

Electronic applications (motivation letter + CV) should be addressed to the COST Office Director and sent to job@cost.eu. Reference code: SOICT

Invitations will be sent on 5 May 2010 for the first round of interviews that will take place on 12 May 2010. The selected person should ideally be available by early July 2010 or earlier. For general details see http://www.cost.eu , Closing date: 2 May 2010