2 Junior Science Officers - Peer Review

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, ESF currently serves 80 Member Organisations (public Research Funding Agencies, Research Performing Organisations and Academies) of 30 countries.

Mission & Responsibilities

Over the last years, through its experiences in managing European Collaborative Research Scheme (EUROCORES), European Young Investigator Awards (EURYI), Research Networking Programmes (RNP), Forward Looks and Exploratory Workshops, ESF has developed a strong competency in managing scientific programmes. High quality peer-review has been the cornerstone for the delivery of these instruments. It determines, to a very large extent, the quality of our programmes and services. Peer-review at the ESF has evolved from a tool to a core competency and is now being demanded as a service. Numerous specific requests from our Member Organisations in addition to the needs of our internal instruments require staff availability on short notice. 

You will be assisting the ESF Science Officers in one of the following two science units:

• Physical and Engineering Sciences (PESC) or

• Life, Earth and Environmental Sciences (LESC)

The overall responsibility of the post holder is to support the ESF science units for the planning, coordination and execution of Scientific Peer Review activities as well as Research Evaluation Exercises. This will include identifying experts to participate in ESF activities as referees or as members of review panels or committees.
The post holder may also be asked to contribute to other scientific activities.

Profile and competencies required
The successful applicant must demonstrate the following competencies:

• PhD or equivalent research experience, preferably with  further experience in the remits of the ESF’s Physical and Engineering Sciences (PESC) (in mechanical, civil or electrical engineering),  or Life, Earth and Environmental Sciences (LESC) (in environmental sciences or geosciences); 
• Experience with grant review processes and experiences of science management;
• High standard of spoken and written English;
• Strong inter-personal and excellent communication skills within a multi-national context, including discretion, diplomacy and tolerance;
• Ability to draft concise and clear documents;
• Ability to effectively synthesize information and draft meeting notes;
• Good working knowledge of MS Office systems and electronic databases and web sites;
• Action-orientated, responsible and autonomous, creative and willing to take initiatives;
• Openness and transparency in working and a team-orientated work ethic;
• Commitment to deliver on allocated tasks and respond in a timely manner to deadlines.

Employment conditions

• This full time position is offered for four months preferably starting in June 2009.
• The place of work is Strasbourg, France
• The salary level will be based on experience and qualifications of the successful candidate and will follow ESF terms and conditions.

Please send your application by 11 May 2009 to jobs[at]esf.org quoting the following reference identifier PESC JSO PR for the PESC domain and LESC JSO PR for the LESC domain.
Interviews will be held in Strasbourg during the week of 18 May 2009.

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