Science Officer- CoARA Program Manager

ESF - European Science Foundation; Strasbourg; Sur place; EUR 55 000 - 65 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A research management non-profit organization in Strasbourg seeks a Science Officer to support the CoARA Program Manager. This core position oversees CoARA operations and engages with diverse stakeholders to enhance research assessment practices. Applicants should have at least 5 years of experience in research management and strong leadership skills. The position is full-time for 10 months with a salary range of 55–65 K€ gross.

Prestations

Flexible working conditions

Attractive benefits

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years in programme or research management with international exposure.
• Experience with high-profile, multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Strong understanding of research assessment processes.

Responsabilités

• Support CoARA governance in promoting initiatives.
• Track and follow-up on meeting outcomes.
• Manage budgets and reports.

Connaissances

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication Skills

Budget Management

Knowledge of EU funding

Formation

At least 5 years’ experience in research management or equivalent

Ph.D. preferred

Description du poste

Overview

For over 50 years, ESF (European Science Foundation) has been a trusted partner for research management in Europe and beyond. As a non-governmental, non-profit association, we connect researchers and implement innovative solutions to strengthen the European scientific landscape.

Our main activities include:

• Research quality assessment and grant evaluation
• Support and hosting for scientific structures and networks
• Management of research funding programmes
• European project coordination, management and communication

ESF has been appointed to host the secretariat of the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA). We are inviting applications for a Science Officer to support the CoARA Programme Manager.

CoARA is a global Coalition of organisations that share a common vision for reforming research assessment practices for research, researchers, and research-performing organisations, and have committed to act towards these reform goals with the overarching aim of maximising the quality and impact of research. CoARA is composed of more than 700 universities, research organisations, agencies involved in research assessment and other relevant organisations. These institutions commit to working together for systemic reform on the basis of common principles within an agreed timeframe, facilitating exchanges of information and mutual learning between all those willing to improve research assessment practices.

The CoARA Boost project has a duration of 36 months (September 2023 – September 2026) and has been funded by the European Commission as part of its Horizon Europe framework. The overarching objective of the CoARA Boost project is to contribute to enabling a systemic reform of assessment of research, researchers and research organisations that recognises the diverse outputs, practices and activities that maximise the quality and impact of research. CoARA Boost will: I) strengthen CoARA’s operational capacity, ii) catalyse knowledge development, policy evolution and institutional change in research assessment, iii) facilitate collection and exchange of good practices, iv) widen the Coalition’s membership in Europe and beyond.

We are now seeking an experienced and dynamic Science Officer to step in as CoARA Program Manager (replacement of a maternity leave). This position is core to the development and management of CoARA, ensuring the smooth running of the CoARA Secretariat, guiding a motivated international team, supporting the CoARA Governance and representing the Coalition to its diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

This position will involve:

• To support the CoARA governance (Steering Board, Executive Committee) in promoting CoARA.
• Provide written and oral briefs for planned meetings.
• Keep track of, and follow-up on, outcomes of meetings and engagement with stakeholders.
• Advise in planning future engagement.
• To ensure the smooth and efficient running of the CoARA Secretariat, including coordinating with external organisations supporting the work of the secretariat.
• To support the setting-up and running of CoARA initiatives.
• To seek funding to support CoARA activities (through fundraising initiatives and external grants, e.g. from Horizon Europe, philanthropies, institutional support).
• To work with key stakeholders in the research ecosystem – researchers, university managers, research organisations, evaluation agencies – to help them join the Coalition.
• To liaise closely with ESF finance team to manage budgets, prepare reports and ensure that risks and pinch points for CoARA are known in advance, mitigated and monitored.
• To act as Secretary to the CoARA Executive Committee, Steering Board and General Assembly, ensuring agendas and supporting papers are developed in advance of these meetings and taking forward appropriate actions.
• To contribute to and oversee CoARA communications.
• To manage staff recruited to support the CoARA Secretariat.
• Actively participate in the implementation of ESF corporate strategy (also beyond research assessment topics).
• Keeping up-to-date with relevant scientific and research policy developments.

Qualifications

The CoARA Program Manager should demonstrate the following competencies:

• At least 5 years’ experience in programme or research management, ideally with international exposure, possibly complemented by a Ph.D.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills, with a record of coordinating high-profile, multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Knowledge of the European Union funding programme for research & innovation, proposal preparation and project implementation.
• Solid knowledge of research assessment approaches and processes.
• Knowledge and experience of people management in a performance-based human resources environment.
• Experience in budget management.
• Excellent communication and diplomacy skills.
• Excellent command of English; additional European languages are an asset.

We value proactive, collaborative leaders who thrive in dynamic environments and can balance strategic thinking with hands-on delivery.

Employment conditions

• The position is expected to be full-time (100% FTE) and will start as soon as possible.
• The contract is offered for a duration of 10 months (replacement of maternity leave), with possible continuation depending on budget and developments.
• The person selected for the position will be working from the ESF Headquarters in Strasbourg.
• Some travel is expected.
• Flexible working conditions (teleworking policy), salary range 55–65 K€ gross depending on experience and profile, and attractive benefits.

Please send your application (cover letter + CV in English) by 10 October 2025 to [e-mail] quoting the reference SOPMCoARA25. Interviews will be held in Strasbourg in October 2025.

The ESF will not discriminate, nor allow its staff to discriminate, against any member of staff or applicant for employment or ex-employee on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, age, ethnic, national, cultural or social origin, skin colour, physical appearance, religion or beliefs, marital or parental status, mental or physical disability, political opinion, social or economic situation, or health status.