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 Standing Committee for Life, Earth and Environmental Sciences (LESC) aims at a better understanding of biological, environmental and Earth systems across time and space. LESC covers activities from molecular and systems biology over regional ecosystems to global change of the environment. LESC is achieving these goals through Member Organisations and through synergetic actions with other Standing Committees, Expert Committees, COST Domain Committees and external partners.

Mission of the Position

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In order to mobilise high-quality researcher-led co-operation in science 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 ESF Strategic Plan in his/her domain.

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 for the Standing Committee Units. Taking responsibility, as the Secretary of the Life, Earth and Environmental Sciences Standing Committee, 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 LESC 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 LESC Community through publication, 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 LESC team in a professional manner and contributing to the senior management of the ESF.

Profile and competencies required

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The successful jobholder should demonstrate the following competences:

Specific competences

• Ph.D, or equivalent research experience in the field of the Earth and Life Sciences (encompassing Molecular and Cell Biology, Functional Genomics, Systems Biology, Ecology, Eath Sciences, Climate Research and Environmental Research) preferably with a further 10 years research experience in a relevant science area;
• 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

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• 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 1 September 2009 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 by 29 June 2009 to jobs@esf.org quoting the following reference identifier LESC-HOU2.

Interviews will be held in Strasbourg on 9 July 2009.

ESF welcomes applications from disabled candidates. ESF premises are fully equipped for disabled access.

Further details at www.esf.org