Director of Awards/Chief Scientific Officer

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Position description

The International Human Frontier Science Program Organization (HFSPO) is seeking a Director of Awards/Chief Scientific Officer to lead its scientific strategy, the international portfolio of for research support and engagement activities with the scientific community. This is an exciting opportunity for an accomplished life scientist, or a researcher working in a discipline at the interface with the life sciences, to provide leadership for HFSPO’s scientific mission.

ABOUT US

HFSPO is a unique organization supporting innovative, interdisciplinary and internationally collaborative basic research in the life sciences. It is supported by 17 Members, comprising 16 countries and the European Commission. Since 1990, more than 8,500 researchers from over 70 countries have been funded. Of these, 31 HFSP awardees have gone on to receive the Nobel Prize.

HFSPO is implementing its Strategy 2024–2032, which sets a path for strategic and organic growth. HFSPO aims to strengthen its core programs supporting frontier research, improve the integration of scientists from all Member countries, diversify its membership, deepen engagement with research communities worldwide and develop new opportunities for frontier science.

Reporting to the Secretary-General and serving on the Executive Leadership Team, the incumbent leads the scientific strategy and continued evolution of all HFSP Programs, ensures the excellence and integrity of peer review and award management processes, and oversees the assessment of scientific outcomes and impact.

The position also provides scientific leadership for HFSP’s community, engagement and outreach activities, represents HFSPO at scientific meetings and supports the Secretary-General in developing the Organization’s profile across a diverse range of stakeholders. The role calls for a leader with many years of research experience in the life sciences, a clear strategic vision for HFSPO, expertise in research funding and outstanding leadership qualities.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Key information

Contract Type: Three-year contract renewable once
Reference: HFSPO/2026/CSO
Applications: Open until filled

Team

Reporting to the Secretary-General, the Director of Awards/Chief Scientific Officer is a member of HFSPO’s Executive Leadership Team and provides leadership to the Organization’s scientific staff. The position works closely with Senior Scientific Officers, Scientific Officers, Program Officers and colleagues across the Secretariat, and acts as the principal Secretariat interface with the HFSPO International Science Advisory Council.

Job Description

Scientific Leadership, Strategy and Innovation

• Leads the implementation of the HFSPO Strategic Plan and ensures that funding programs and scientific activities evolve in line with its objectives;
• Conceives and develops new funding programs and scientific initiatives for HFSP;
• Develops and improves HFSP’s funding, peer review and scientific evaluation approaches to identify and support frontier, interdisciplinary research, ensuring rigorous assessment and selection;
• Leads horizon scanning to identify emerging developments in research funding and the wider scientific environment, including artificial intelligence, research integrity and security, and the growing influence of geopolitics on science, and assesses their implications for HFSPO.

Programs, Evaluation and Scientific Impact

• The position is responsible for all HFSP Programs, including Research Grants, Fellowships, Accelerator, S4S and any future programs;
• Provides executive oversight of the annual award cycles and ensures the scientific excellence, integrity and consistency of HFSPO’s peer review and selection processes;
• Advises on and resolves complex scientific or program-related cases that may have significant implications for HFSPO’s reputation, policies or established practices;
• Commissions periodic external evaluations of HFSPO’s Programs and scientific activities, ensuring independent assessment of their relevance, design and effectiveness to identify improvements;
• Oversees the ongoing internal assessment of outputs, outcomes and impact from HFSP-funded research, ensuring that qualitative and quantitative evidence informs scientific strategy and program development;
• Prepares clear, evidence-based scientific reporting to HFSPO’s governance bodies, Members and other relevant stakeholders.

Scientific Community, Engagement and Outreach

• Provides leadership for engagement and outreach activities with the HFSP community including the HFSP Awardees Meeting, Frontier Workshops, Masterclasses and other special initiatives and activities;
• Builds an active and connected HFSP scientific community, strengthening relationships with awardees, alumni and the wider international scientific community;
• Develops and maintains relationships with scientific organizations, research funders and other partners to support HFSP’s Programs, scientific activities and outreach, particularly across HFSPO Member countries;
• Represents HFSPO at relevant scientific meetings, conferences and other external engagements, promoting HFSP’s scientific mission, Programs and achievements.

Communication and Publishing

• Oversees the preparation of scientific reports and communication materials explaining HFSPO’s activities, achievements, outcomes and impact to Members, the scientific community and other stakeholders;
• As Editor in charge, directs the preparation of the HFSP Annual Report, Science Digest and other special HFSP publications;
• Develops HFSPO’s scientific positions through briefing documents on emerging issues affecting international research and research funding and contributes these positions to international discussions;
• Supports the Secretary-General’s external scientific engagement by preparing scientific content and advice for speeches, presentations and meetings;
• Has full editorial responsibility regarding the scientific quality, accuracy and coherence of HFSP’s external scientific communication across publications, reports, digital channels and other communication products.

Executive Leadership and Governance

• Contributes to the collective leadership of HFSPO as a member of the Executive Leadership Team and advises the Secretary-General on scientific and strategic matters;
• Acts as the principal Secretariat interface with the International Science Advisory Council, coordinating scientific agenda items, preparing supporting papers and following up on advice and recommendations that will be forwarded to the Board of Trustees;
• Provides scientific input to the Board of Trustees and other HFSPO governance bodies and ensures the effective implementation of relevant decisions and recommendations;
• Uses experience, evidence and feedback from HFSPO’s governance bodies, scientific community and external reviews to improve scientific programs, peer review processes and grant management practices;
• Models the HFSPO Shared Values and ensures that delegated authority is exercised with respect, integrity and accountability;
• Leads and develops HFSPO’s scientific staff, clarifies responsibilities, supports professional development and autonomy, and coordinates scientific expertise across programs and activities within a respectful, inclusive and collaborative working environment;
• Carries out other assignments as required by the Secretary-General.

Qualifications

• A PhD in life sciences or in a scientific discipline at the interface with life sciences, that shows clear evidence of a cross-disciplinary and international career path;
• A substantial record of scientific achievement and senior leadership, combining research experience with a strong understanding of research funding, grant assessment and peer review;
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement scientific strategy, lead program development and advance new initiatives in an international research environment;
• Intellectual breadth and curiosity to engage with the wide spectrum of frontier, high-risk and interdisciplinary research supported by HFSP;
• Sound understanding of rigorous, fair and independent scientific peer review, research integrity and the evolving international research-funding environment;
• Experience in evaluating research programs and assessing scientific outputs, outcomes and impact, using qualitative and quantitative evidence to inform decisions;
• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop and empower scientific staff, build collaboration across teams and contribute effectively to collective executive leadership;
• Excellent interpersonal and diplomatic skills, including the ability to engage with governance bodies, research funders, scientific organizations and senior scientific leaders across countries and disciplines;
• Ability to exercise sound scientific and strategic judgement and handle complex or sensitive matters with discretion, integrity and accountability;
• Strong organizational and management skills, with the ability to oversee a varied portfolio, set priorities and lead the continuous improvement of scientific programs, peer review processes and grant management practices;
• Experience of working in an international and multicultural environment, with a commitment to respectful and inclusive leadership;
• Excellent written and spoken English, including scientific writing, presentation and communication skills and the ability to represent HFSPO in high-level international engagements;
• Familiarity with digital systems used for peer review, grant management, data analysis and reporting, and an informed understanding of emerging developments such as artificial intelligence in research and research funding.

Location

The position is based at the HFSPO Secretariat in Strasbourg, France. The position holder is expected to work primarily from the Secretariat, in accordance with HFSPO’s teleworking policy. The role involves international travel.

Contract

The position is offered under an initial three-year fixed-term contract, including a four-month probationary period, renewable once for a maximum further period of three years.

HFSPO offers a competitive international remuneration package based on its internal salary scale. The package includes health, unemployment, retirement and insurance coverage for the successful candidate and eligible family members, in accordance with French law. Internationally recruited candidates are eligible for moving and installation expenses and may qualify for an expatriation allowance.

WORKING WITH US

Joining HFSPO means working in a small, international and collaborative Secretariat dedicated to supporting frontier research in the life sciences. Our organizational culture reflects the international, interdisciplinary and collaborative character of the research we fund, and we are passionate about what we do.

We value diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility, as well as open science and sustainability. We are committed to the highest standards of integrity, accountability, independence and impartiality, transparency, respect and professional conduct. These shared values guide how we work together and how we support scientists at all stages of their careers and the wider scientific community.

Application instructions

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