Senior Community Engagement Officer, EMBO Science Policy Programme

Location: Heidelberg, Germany (EMBO)
Staff Category: Staff Member
Contract Duration: 3 years
Grading: 6, 7 or 8, depending on experience and qualifications
Closing Date: 25 October 2019
Reference Number: EMBO00087

EMBO stands for excellence in the life sciences. We support talented researchers at all stages of their careers in Europe and beyond, stimulate the exchange of scientific information, and help build a research environment where scientists can achieve their best work.

The EMBO Science Policy Programme examines concerns emerging from advances in scientific research, with an emphasis on the life sciences. Our aim is to provide informed analyses to policymakers, research administrators, scientists, and other decision-makers. We conduct our work through policy research, engaging the EMBO community and other experts. EMBO is involved in a wide range of European and international projects.

The EMBO community (Members, Young Investigators, Fellows) is an integral part of our work in research policy and practice. Individuals participate in policy workshops, contribute to EMBO’s work at the European level, and support the adoption of good practices in responsible conduct of research.

EMBO now wants to engage the community in a wider set of activities.

Your role

The Senior Community Engagement Officer will have the following responsibilities:

• Maintain awareness of the EMBO community’s work and its policy implications. Report findings regularly to the EMBO Director and the head of the Science Policy Programme.
• Work with the EMBO Director and the head of Science Policy to engage the community in policy-relevant projects. For example:
  • collect input from members for European level consultations and assist in drafting responses;
  • help to identify individuals to participate in EMBO policy workshops;
  • organize standing and ad hoc working groups of Members and Young Investigators to look at important emerging issues in research with the intent of advising the EMBO Director and the larger community of researchers and policymakers.
  • assist the EMBO Director’s work to inform policymakers about researchers’ roles in achieving larger societal goals, and the resources they need to do so.
• Provide services for the community
  • Assist the EMBO community to help individuals identify appropriate channels for submitting concerns about science, and research policy, to policymakers; assist them in structuring and wording these concerns; and inform the community of opportunities to observe or participate in policy processes.
  • With the EMBO Director and head of the programme, help to strengthen community activities, involving EMBO Members, Young Investigators and Fellows.
  • Work across EMBO Programmes and with leadership to develop a corps of EMBO Members and Young Investigators willing to rapidly analyse primary papers, newspaper articles, etc. to inform EMBO responses in cases of provocative or controversial work.
• Perform additional tasks requested by the EMBO Director.

This position will require occasional duty travel, work outside of the normal working hours, and administrative work.

You have

• A doctorate degree is essential, preferably in the natural sciences.
• Minimum of three years professional experience working with scientists and decision-makers in a coordinating, administrative, policy officer or political support role, or similar. This could include, for example, working in university or institutional leadership or political offices, serving as a scientific manager or administrator, or having been responsible for multi-stakeholder or multi-organization groups.
• Demonstrated ability to interact with researchers at all levels of experience.
• Excellent organizational skills and a high degree of service-mindedness.
• Ability to work effectively in a complex and quickly evolving environment.
• Ability to propose creative and realistic approaches for problem-solving, new projects, etc.
• Excellent communication skills in written and verbal English.
• Proven ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

You might also have

• Experience in planning and executing group work involving participants or organizations with a wide range of backgrounds.
• Knowledge of EMBO and its programmes.

Why join us

The EMBO offices are located on the international EMBL life science research campus in Heidelberg, Germany. Heidelberg, home to around 150,000 people, is a vibrant university city offering a high quality of life. EMBO is an inclusive, equal opportunity employer offering attractive conditions and benefits appropriate to an international science organisation. The remuneration package comprises a competitive salary, pension scheme and health insurance, and educational and other family-related benefits. As a non-profit organisation, we have an informal and collegial working environment that is inspired by our dedication to working for a common greater good.

What else you need to know

The Senior Community Engagement Officer reports to the Head of the Science Policy Programme.

Please note that appointments on fixed term contracts can be renewed, depending on circumstances at the time of the review.
Please apply online through: www.embo.org/about-embo/jobs or www.embl.org/jobs