Section Head of International Promotion (Ref. AD/26/03)

Your role & Our team

IRB Barcelona is seeking a Section Head of International Promotion to join the Department of Competitive Funding Strategy and Scientific Management. Reporting to the Head of Competitive Grants and International Promotion, the key role of the Section Head is to foster the participation of IRB Barcelona researchers in EU-funded collaborative projects and to guarantee the excellence of project management procedures.

The section head will lead a small team of project managers that provide integral support to the complete life cycle of EU-funded collaborative projects in which IRB has the role of coordinator, including identification of suitable topics for IRB research lines, partner search, proactive support in writing and project management of funded projects.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead a team of International Project Managers, ensuring the excellence and highest efficiency in project management and strengthening the team's proposal writing capabilities

Develop and execute strategies to enhance IRB Barcelona’s positioning for future Work Programs and R&I framework programs (lobbying strategy).

Promote participation of IRB Barcelona researchers in EU collaborative proposals through proactive call screening, targeted dissemination, and participation in Info Days and matchmaking events, among others.

Support coordinators in the writing of proposals, mainly within the Horizon Europe work programs.

Contribute to proposal writing and project reporting for strategic institutional projects.

YOU HAVE

Knowledge and experience:

MSc or PhD in Life Sciences or a related field.

Experience in the management of EU-funded collaborative projects.

Experience in EU research and innovation strategy and funding programs.

Excellent command of written and spoken English and Spanish.

Skills:

Outstanding writing skills

Excellent communication and networking abilities

Strong organizational, planning and multi-tasking capacities.

High initiative and teamwork capacity.

Proven ability to develop and maintain a portfolio of key contacts relevant to lobbying actions, accredited through attendance to relevant specialization programmes.

Advanced proficiency in Google Workspace and MS Office

YOU MIGHT ALSO HAVE:

PhD in Life Sciences or a related field.

Experience working in a multidisciplinary environment

Experience with other EU or international funding programmes

Experience in dissemination and communication of research projects

Experience using AI tools applicable to project management

Knowledge of open science and research data management

WHAT WE OFFER:

To be a part a part of something meaningful: We are a biomedical research centre that tirelessly works to achieve a society free of diseases. Our mission is to carry out research of excellence to cure cancer and other diseases linked to ageing.

Good Working conditions: Permanent contract. Employed in compliance with Spanish legislation and regulations under a full-time contract. Employees receive the benefits of the Spanish Social Security system covering sickness, maternity/paternity leave and injuries at work.

Competitive salary: Commensurate with experience and qualifications.

International Environment: we are home to nearly 500 researchers, technical and support staff from 45 countries.

Multidisciplinary Research: Research of excellence at the unique interface between biology, chemistry, and structural and computational biology.

Continuous Training: Transversal and general training is offered to our community (examples include research seminars, conferences, training in time management, scientific integrity, gender equality, health and safety, languages courses and emotional wellbeing).

Relocation & Visa Assistance: Trained staff provides support on visa paperwork, administrative requirements, and practical information on living and working in Barcelona, etc.

Social Life: We like to have fun. We promote several activities, like a Football League, an annual skiing trip, a Mountaineering Club, a Running Club and "Cool-off sessions", where members meet informally for drinks, snacks and scientific discussions.

Fairness: Our recruitment is open, transparent and merit-based, and all applicants compete on the same terms. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, ethnic origin or disability.

HOW TO APPLY & SELECTION PROCESS:

Deadline for applications: 01/05/2026 (If no suitable candidate is found, the deadline will be extended)

Number of positions available: 1

Selection process:

Pre-selection: Will be based on CV, motivation letter & experience,

Interviews: Short-listed candidates will be interviewed.

Job offer: Will be sent to the successful candidate after the interview.

IRB BARCELONA endorses the Requirements and Principles of the European Charter for Researchers, the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, and Open, Transparent, Merit-based recruitment promoted by the European Commission and follows Equal Opportunities policies.

On 9 December, 2014, IRB Barcelona was awarded the "HR Excellence in Research" logo. This recognition reflects the commitment of the Institute to the continuous improvement of its human resources policies in line with the Charter & Code. The Institute works to ensure fair and transparent recruitment and appraisal procedures.

Please check our Recruitment Policy.

Note: The strengths and weaknesses of the applications will be provided upon request.

ABOUT IRB BARCELONA,

Created in 2005 by the Generalitat de Catalunya (Government of Catalonia) and the University of Barcelona, IRB Barcelona, a Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence since the first call in 2011, has received the accreditation four consecutive times.

The institute is devoted to conducting research of excellence in biomedicine and to transferring results to clinical practice, thus improving people’s quality of life, while simultaneously promoting the training of outstanding researchers, technology transfer, and public communication of science. Its 29 laboratories and seven core facilities address basic questions in biology and are oriented towards diseases such as cancer, metastasis, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and rare conditions.

IRB Barcelona is an international centre that hosts 500 members from 45 nationalities. It is located in the Barcelona Science Park. IRB Barcelona forms part of the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST) and the “Xarxa de Centres de Recerca de Catalunya” (CERCA).