Researcher/Research Fellow, Research & Innovation and Industrial Policy

Founded in Brussels in 1983, CEPS (Centre for European Policy Studies) is a leading think tank and forum for debate on EU affairs, which has been consistently ranked among the world’s top-10 best think tanks.

CEPS’ distinguishing features include its strong in-house research capacity and an extensive international network of partner institutes. CEPS’ funding comes from a variety of sources, mainly research grants, public procurement, but also from membership and conference fees.

The CEPS unit on Global Governance, Regulation, Innovation and the Digital economy (GRID) explores, among other issues, policy and regulatory challenges in the areas of regulatory governance, industrial policy, digital technology, health policy and governance, sustainable development and health policy. Over the years, researchers at GRID have carried out diverse assignments for the European Commission (including DG CONNECT, DG GROW, DG RTD, DG SANTE), the European Parliament, EU agencies, national governments UN agencies and other international organisations. Now, GRID is busy with several long term research projects in various fields, not only on Artificial intelligence and the digital transformation of the economy and society but also in the areas of research and innovation, development and EU and global health, and is looking to strengthen its team to further expand its remit and ambition as a leading interdisciplinary research team.

About the position

The successful applicant will work on research and innovation related projects within the GRID unit. The appointment will be made at the Researcher or Research Fellow level, depending on the qualifications and experience of the selected applicant.

Main tasks

• Contributing to CEPS’ work on R&I policy, industrial policy, development policy, and international partnerships. We are leading an ambitious research initiative on the design of the forthcoming EU tenth framework programme for research and innovation (Horizon Europe/“FP10”). This includes tasks such as empirical research through interviews, foresight workshops, the organisation of expert roundtables and the convening of taskforce meetings, among others. The project is aimed at the promotion of more effective R&I activities by shaping the debate on the future design of FP10, especially in terms of the EU’s ability to partner with other international donors and Low and Middle Income Countries; supporting women’s health innovation in EU R&I policy; and strengthening the salience of gender aspects in EU R&I policy. Our research also explores collaboration with philanthropy.

• Writing of policy reports and project deliverables, as well as publications, including op-eds, policy briefs, and regular contribution to CEPS events communication activities.

• Carrying out high-quality and high-impact research, both independently and in teams with CEPS as well as external researchers, on the topic of EU R&I policy, industrial policy, development, or any other topic of interest when agreed with the Research Director at CEPS.

• Assisting in the preparation of research proposals.

• Giving presentations and represent CEPS at partner or consortium project meetings.

Your background and qualifications

Compulsory

• You have a Master’s degree in Public Policy, Economics, Political Science, Law, Philosophy, other Social Sciences, or related topics.

• You have significant knowledge of and previous research experience on Research & Innovation, Industrial Policy, and related areas.

• You have excellent English drafting and oral presentation skills.

• You are familiar with common software suites and tools (e.g. Microsoft Office, Salesforce, GPT-4).

• You have at least three years of demonstrable work/research experience in relevant fields.

Desirable

• A PhD is an advantage, especially for appointments at the Research Fellow level.

• An interest in women’s health innovation, health policy, gender policy, development and international partnerships.

• Strong qualitative methods skills, for example experience with conducting interviews, and solid analytical reasoning.

• Knowledge or research experience in (or with) EU policy and institutions.

• Excellent knowledge of another EU official language would be an asset.

• Experience in partnership building with civil society organisations and think tanks.

Your profile

• You are willing and able to engage in creative thinking and inter-disciplinary research.

• You can work in a research team involving junior and senior colleagues and can organise your own workload.

• You can respect deadlines and juggle multiple tasks and changing priorities.

• You enjoy teamwork and are open to giving and receiving feedback.

• You are willing to develop insights into ongoing legislative and policy debates in the field.

• You are kind with a deep respect for diversity, and a strong sense of empathy towards colleagues.

• You are enthusiastic to contribute not only towards the success of the GRID unit but also the whole of CEPS as an organisation.

• You can confidently draft in a variety of written styles as requested.

• You can present research outputs in public.

What CEPS can offer

We initially offer full-time employment for 12 months. The contract is renewable. The salary will be in accordance with your previous experience as well as the CEPS salary scale. We also offer a benefits package (group & hospitalisation insurance, meal tickets, public transport reimbursement, 20 days legal holiday entitlement per year plus an additional two weeks during the Christmas-New Year period when CEPS is closed, as well as the possibility to telework in Belgium + 20 days per calendar year of teleworking from abroad).

We would like the preferred candidate to start as soon as possible, and latest in November 2025. The job will be based in Brussels.