Director/a de Posicionamiento Europeo y Financiación Pública

CIC energiGUNE is a research center specialized in energy, electrochemical storage (batteries and supercapacitors), thermal energy solutions and hydrogen, a member of the Basque Research and Technology Alliance- BRTA, and, a strategic initiative of the Basque Government. CIC energiGUNE was created in 2011 to generate excellent knowledge and at the same time useful for the Basque business network, being a reference in knowledge transfer.

CIC energiGUNEhas a dynamic research team of more than 100 researchers and is extremely well equipped with a wide range of up-to-date facilities that are fully available for all its researchers. Also, the European Commission has recently awarded CIC energiGUNE with the ´HR Excellence in Research´ which reflects its commitment to achieving fair and transparent recruitment and appraisal procedures and certifies the existence of a stimulating and favorable work environment for researchers in the institution.

CIC energiGUNE is seeking a Director of European Positioning and Public Funding, who will join the Centre's Management Committee and report to Director General.

The successful candidate will lead CIC energiGUNE's European positioning and competitive public funding activities, anticipating developments in R&D&I policies and programmes, strengthening the Centre's presence in high-value initiatives and increasing our ability to compete in European, national and regional programmes.

We are looking for a senior professional with the ability to interpret the evolution of the European R&D&I ecosystem and translate it into specific opportunities for the Centre, connecting our scientific and technological capabilities with new priorities, programmes and consortia. The position will play a particularly important role in preparing CIC energiGUNE for FP10 and promoting scientific excellence programmes such as the ERC.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead CIC energiGUNE's European positioning and competitive public funding strategy, defining a roadmap aligned with the Centre's scientific, technological and institutional strategy.
• Anticipate developments in European R&D&I policies, priorities and programmes, particularly in preparation for FP10, and identify strategic opportunities at European, national and regional level.
• Work with Scientific and Innovation Management, Area Directors, Principal Investigators and Business Development teams to connect CIC energiGUNE's distinctive capabilities with relevant priorities and opportunities.
• Strengthen the Centre's positioning beyond calls specifically focused on energy storage, identifying opportunities in areas where our capabilities can act as enabling technologies.
• Design and promote a specific approach to increase the Centre's competitiveness in scientific excellence programmes, particularly ERC and other Pillar I instruments.
• Lead opportunity prioritisation and go/no-go processes, ensuring the early and selective preparation of proposals with the highest strategic value.
• Drive proposal quality and the development of competitive consortia, promoting review and learning processes to continuously improve success rates.
• Represent CIC energiGUNE and build strategic relationships with European institutions, agencies, NCPs, CDTI, universities, research centres and key partners.
• Lead the public funding team and coordinate its activities with the Centre's scientific and corporate areas.
• As a member of the Management Committee, provide strategic insight on European positioning, competitive funding and the portfolio of opportunities and risks.

WHAT WE OFFER:

• The opportunity to join an internationally recognised research centre in energy storage and conversion, with a strong focus on scientific excellence, sustainability and impact.
• A senior leadership position as a member of CIC energiGUNE's Management Committee.
• A real opportunity to influence the Centre's European and institutional positioning and its competitive public funding portfolio.
• A high-level, multidisciplinary and international scientific and technological environment.
• Direct interaction with scientific teams, institutions, companies, European networks and strategic stakeholders.
• Competitive conditions in line with the responsibilities and experience required for the position.
• Flexible working hours and a working model compatible with the senior and international nature of the position.

CIC energiGUNE is committed to equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion.

Requirements

REQUIREMENTS:

• University degree. Postgraduate qualifications related to science, engineering, innovation, R&D&I management, European policies, economics or related fields will be valued.
• At least 10 years of professional experience in R&D&I positioning, competi