Scientific Program Officer - NCCR Separations (80-100%)

École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne, EPFL; Mittelwallis; Hybrid; CHF 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

EPFL in Lausanne is seeking a Scientific Program Officer for the NCCR Separations, to support scientific coordination, reporting, Open Science, and data management across multiple Work Packages.

You will work closely with program leadership, researchers, and institutional services to ensure effective coordination, impactful outputs, and high-quality reporting. This role offers a hybrid presence with on-site collaboration in Sion and EPFL facilities.

Qualifications

• PhD in chemistry, chemical engineering, material science, process engineering, physics, mechanical engineering, environmental or electrical engineering; or a Master’s with 5+ years relevant experience.
• Experience in separation science or related field.
• Experience in scientific writing, reporting, coordination, or research program management; recent graduates with relevant coordination/writing experience encouraged.
• Knowledge of Open Science, data management, FAIR principles, and reproducible research practices.
• Familiarity with databases and collaborative digital tools; Airtable is desirable.
• Experience with KTT, valorisation, IP, or industry-academia collaboration is an asset.
• Excellent scientific writing, synthesis, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and coordinate with researchers, management, and external stakeholders; onboarding/mentoring will be provided.
• Excellent command of English; French and/or German an asset.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate collection/ consolidation of scientific information for SNSF reports and reviews.
• Develop reporting templates, guidelines, timelines, and processes across Work Packages.
• Monitor scientific progress, milestones, deliverables, publications, and indicators.
• Contribute to scientific presentations, newsletters, and stakeholder communications.
• Coordinate Open Science implementation and compliance with OA requirements.
• Develop and maintain digital tools, dashboards, and indicators for program coordination.

Skills

Scientific writing

Coordination

Communication

Project management

Education

PhD in chemistry or engineering

Master's degree +5 years coordinating/research management

Tools

Airtable

Job description

EPFL, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, is one of the most dynamic university campuses in Europe and ranks among the top 20 universities worldwide. The EPFL employs more than 6,500 people supporting the three main missions of the institutions: education, research and innovation. The EPFL campus offers an exceptional working environment at the heart of a community of more than 18,500 people, including over 14,000 students and 4,000 researchers from more than 120 different countries.

Scientific Program Officer - NCCR Separations (80-100%)

Mission

The Scientific Program Officer supports the scientific coordination, quality, and implementation of NCCR Separations. The position has responsibility for scientific reporting and communication, Open Science and research data management, Knowledge and Technology Transfer (KTT), organisation of scientific meetings, management of the NCCR associates and digital tools for program coordination and monitoring.

The Scientific Program Officer works closely with the Program Manager, NCCR Directors, Principal Investigators, Work Package Leaders, researchers, and relevant institutional services to support the effective coordination and impact of the NCCR’s scientific activities and outputs.

Main duties and responsibilities

Scientific Reporting and Communication

• Coordinate the collection and consolidation of scientific information for SNSF reports, annual reviews, and strategic documents.
• Develop common reporting templates, guidelines, timelines, and processes across Work Packages and scientific pillars.
• Monitor scientific progress, milestones, deliverables, publications, collaborations, and key program indicators.
• Contribute to scientific presentations, research highlights, newsletters, websites, and stakeholder communications.
• Coordinate implementation of the NCCR Open Science strategy in accordance with SNSF and institutional requirements.
• Monitor Open Access and Open Research Data requirements and track compliance across NCCR research outputs.
• Promote FAIR, reproducible, transparent, and appropriately documented research practices.
• Develop guidance and training, and connect researchers with relevant repositories, licensing approaches, and institutional expertise.

Research Data Management

• Coordinate the development, implementation, and updating of the NCCR Data Management Plan (DMP).
• Establish common approaches for data organisation, metadata, documentation, storage, sharing, archiving, and preservation.
• Support research teams in implementing effective data-management practices throughout the research lifecycle.
• Coordinate with EPFL and partner-institution services on research data infrastructure, repositories, policies, and support.

Knowledge and Technology Transfer (KTT)

• Support the identification of research results, methodologies, technologies, software, datasets, and know-how with potential for scientific, industrial, or societal impact.
• Facilitate interactions between researchers, institutional KTT services, industry, and other external stakeholders.
• Contribute to developing the NCCR KTT strategy and to monitoring and reporting KTT activities, collaborations, outputs, and impact.

Scientific and Management Digital Tools

• Develop and maintain digital tools, databases, dashboards, and indicators for scientific coordination, program management, monitoring, reporting, and strategic decision-making.
• Ensure the quality, consistency, completeness, and regular updating of scientific and program-management information.
• Document digital processes and provide guidance and training to NCCR users.

Profile

• PhD in chemistry, chemical engineering, material science, process engineering, physics, mechanical enginering, environmental or electrical engineering. Alternatively, a Master's degree with at least 5 years of relevant experience
• Experience in the area of separation science or other related field
• Experience in scientific writing, reporting, research coordination, or research program management; recent PhD or Master’s graduates with relevant coordination or writing experience (e.g., from lab management, conference organisation, or research administration) are encouraged to apply.
• Knowledge of Open Science, research data management, FAIR principles, and reproducible research practices.
• Experience with databases and collaborative digital tools; experience with Airtable is highly desirable.
• Experience or familiarity with KTT, research valorisation, intellectual property, or industry-academia collaboration is an asset.
• Excellent scientific writing, synthesis, organisational, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and coordinate effectively with researchers, management, institutional services, and external stakeholders; onboarding and mentoring will be provided.
• Excellent command of English; French and/or German is an asset.

We offer

At EPFL, we believe that people achieve great results when they feel supported, respected and enabled to succeed. By joining our community, you will help shape the future of society through education, research and innovation.

We offer an inspiring, international and collaborative environment where your work has real impact and your ideas are valued. Combined with flexible ways of working and attractive employment conditions, we aim to create an environment where everyone can contribute, grow and make a difference.

Beyond work, ourcampuses host a vibrantcommunity and unique environment, enriched by initiatives promoting equality, inclusion, diversity, well-being and sustainability as well as an engaging program of cultural, sports and community activities throughout the year.

Contract Start Date : As soon as possible

Location : This position is based primarily at EPFL Valais Wallis in Sion with presence on site for minimum 3 days per week