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 ESF by the European Commission. COST is an inter-governmental system supporting European research networking.

The European Science Foundation (ESF) seeks a Head of Science Operations for the COST Office in Brussels to lead the different COST Science Clusters and to assist the COST Office management in a dynamic and international working environment.

Position responsibilities:

• A key role in the management of the COST Office as a member of the management group and as the manager of the science activities
• Development and harmonisation of policies and procedures in line with the COST mission and its different scientific Domains and/or Clusters
• Responsibility for the interfacing of the three science clusters and for the management of their Science Officers and Administrators
• Specific reports and analysis for the COST Management, the Committee of Senior Officials and the Scientific Community
• Liaising with different Domain Committees, scientific bodies and organisations, in particular with the ESF
• Responsibility for the management and achievement of budgets of COST science activities
• Acting as a substitute for the COST Office director in his absence

Profile and competencies:

Specific competencies
• PhD, or equivalent research experience, preferably with a further minimum of 10 years research experience; demonstrated broad scientific interest; experience in research management
• Proven experience in science management and people management
• Experience with research project assessment and review processes
• Good knowledge of the EU RTD Framework Programme
• Possess a scientific network in the ERA
• Knowledge of EU and national research structures and institutions and science policies
• High standard of spoken and written English, any other EU language being an advantage, good working knowledge of MS Office, databases and websites

Inter-personal competencies
• Action-oriented, responsible and self-managed, creative and willing to take initiatives and continuous improvement minded
• Leadership, strong staff management and motivational skills;
• Strong inter-personal and excellent communication skills within a multinational context, including discretion, diplomacy and tolerance;
• Networking skills
• Assertive and capability to guide decision-making procedures and to represent COST in the scientific community;
• Transparency and team-oriented work ethic and stress resistant

We offer:

• An international and dynamic working environment
• A fixed duration contract, initially of three years, with a possibility of prolongation for a further two years
• Competitive salary and complementary insurances

Electronic applications (motivation letter + CV) should be addressed to the COST Office Director and sent to job[at]cost.esf.org.
Reference code: HoSO

Interviews will be planned in the first week of February 2010. The selected person should ideally be available early June 2010.
For general details see http://www.cost.esf.org
Closing date: Thursday 21 January 2010