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EPFL, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, is one of the most dynamic university campuses in Europe and ranks among the top 20 universities worldwide. The EPFL employs more than 6,500 people supporting the three main missions of the institutions: education, research and innovation. The EPFL campus offers an exceptional working environment at the heart of a community of more than 17,000 people, including over 12,500 students and 4,000 researchers from more than 120 different countries.

Scientific officer (National ORD Strategy Council)

Introduction

The National ORD Strategy Council (StraCo) is a high-level science policy body in Switzerland, created to oversee the implementation of the Swiss Open Research Data Strategy and Action Plan. It is composed of top-level decisions-makers from key higher education and research institutions.

 

As an independent governance body formed jointly by the four principal national research actors (ETH Board, SNSF, swissuniversities, and the Swiss Academies), the StraCo is a novelty in Swiss education, research and innovation (ERI) governance. As such, it aims to demonstrate new capabilities for coordination, collaboration, and common policymaking in Open Research Data (ORD) and Open Science.

 

The StraCo is advised and supported by a decentralised Coordination Group (CoG) formed of expert staff from the institutions represented in the StraCo. It has a decentralised secretariat, to which this position would belong. The StraCo ecosystem also includes two sounding boards (researchers and service providers) as well as ad hoc task forces.

 

More information on the StraCo on openresearchdata.swiss

 

To support the members of the CoG and facilitate interfaces in the StraCo system, the StraCo is looking to hire a Scientific Officer.

General objective of the position

The Scientific Officer is a trusted advisor and agent of the National ORD Strategy Council (StraCo) and of its Coordination Group (CoG). As a member of the StraCo’s distributed secretariat, they support the strategic role of these bodies, informing decisions, and liaising with stakeholders and other missions related to the development of StraCo. In particular, they support the StraCo in developing analytical and strategic work on disciplinary clusters for the coordination of the research data infrastructures and services in the Swiss scientific landscape, which would adequately cover the main disciplinary clusters. The development of the Blueprints builds upon landscape analyses conducted by Task Forces assembled by the StraCo. As or August 2024, a first Task Force completed its landscape analysis on the Health and Life Sciences cluster in early 2024 (with a report available online), and a second one is expected to submit its analysis on Social Sciences and Humanities by the end of 2024

Main duties and responsibilities

Drawing on a broad understanding of Open Science research trends, data practices, infrastructures, governance, and cross-disciplinary scientific developments, you will contribute to the StraCo agenda and support the work of CoG members and working groups through scientific expertise and coordination.

 

Missions and activities within the general objective of the position.
The Scientific Officer:

  • Supports Task Forces working on cluster-specific landscape analyses and blueprints: coordination of the work programme, participation in data collection and analysis, and dissemination of the Task Force outputs.
  • In collaboration with the Policy Officer, provides advice and information to the StraCo/CoG on scientific topics and matters related to ORD and ORD practices, often strategic and conceptual in nature:
    • Write briefings and reports, respond to inquiries and deliver oral briefings
    • Identify and consult stakeholders to obtain information as needed
    • Identifies emerging trends, risks, opportunities, and proposes actionable insights
    • Manage information dissemination and publication as needed.
  • Contributes to projects and partnerships to realize the strategic goals of the StraCo/CoG:
    • Represent the StraCo/CoG in expert bodies and participate in working groups and projects.
    • Manage projects, which may include work by other officers, partners, and consultants.
  • Organizes or facilitates events (with support of the Administrative and Project Management Officer)
  • Supports decision-making in StraCo and CoG by proposing agenda items, drafting decisions, organizing meetings (with administrative support), and drafting minutes.
  • Contributes to other tasks and missions as needed.

The Scientific Officer works directly with top institutional leaders—members of the StraCo and other—which they do with the appropriate level of professional competence and discretion.


Research.
To develop their expertise and support the StraCo, the Scientific Officer:

  • Writes research reports or publications in topics including ORD, open science, science policy, as well as in relevant areas of scientific development including but not limited to AI and data-intensive research practices. The topics are defined with the agreement of the chair of the CoG, and contribute to the general objective of the position.
  • Carries out consultations with internal and external stakeholders. Commission and manage research with third-party providers. Participate in research collaborations.

Profile

Education and experience

  •     Doctorate (PhD) in any discipline (must).

  •     3 years of experience working for a scientific project or initiative where ORD plays an essential role.

  •     Credible experience of any length, demonstrating an interest in research policy, administration, management, or strategy (must).

In this position, you will be expected to acquire the following knowledge:

  •     Up-to-date knowledge of open science research practices and impacts in various disciplines (not only your own).

  •     In-depth understanding of open science ideas, strategies, trends, policies, funding, regulations and legislation, at Swiss, European and international level.

  • Familiarity with institutional organisation and decision processes of the StraCo partner institutions

Skills

  •     English (must) and German at level C2, French: level B2 and understanding C1.

  •     Analytical and with excellent research skills.

  •     Exceptionally well-organized and capable of working on multiple concurrent tasks.

  •     Independent and self-managing.

  •     Ability to work closely with top decision-makers, and complex stakeholder/partner institutions.

  •     Ability to work in a decentralised team, with coworkers in different locations and institutions.

We offer

  • An opportunity to contribute to, and get hands-on experience with, the development of a new high-level national ERI governance body, and with a forward-looking, ambitious open science policy.
  • A stimulating, dynamic, working environment
  • Attractive and flexible work conditions
  • Continuing education opportunity

Conditions

  • Start date: Immediate start possible or to be agreed
  • Type of contract : CDD
  • Appliation deadline : October 20th, 2024
  • You will be affiliated with EPFL, which is the mandated organisation for the administration of the StraCo and hosts a part of the distributed secretariat (policy officer). Salary and work conditions will be those of EPFL employees. Your workplace is flexible, with possibilities to work in Lausanne, Bern or Zurich, and the expectation to work in Bern for 1-2 days a week in one of the StraCo institutions. Details will be discussed and adapted to the candidate. Flexible working conditions will be offered for that purpose, including opportunities to work from home










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