NEUROAGE Network Coordinator

VHIR is seeking a NEUROAGE Network Coordinator to join the Innovation and Business Development Directorate (DIDN) and support the strategic development of the NEUROAGE Network. NEUROAGE is a multidisciplinary initiative led by VHIR and funded by AGAUR for the next three years. Its mission is to promote innovation, knowledge transfer, and collaborative research in the fields of brain health, ageing, and neurodegeneration.

The DIDN's mission is to transform excellence in research and clinical practice into high-impact healthcare solutions through a structured, value-driven innovation model. Through its ISO 56001:2024–certified innovation management system, the Directorate implements a strategy built around four core pillars:

1. Strengthening public–private collaboration by building alliances and co-development initiatives with industry and key health ecosystem stakeholders, expanding the reach of innovation and accelerating validation in real clinical settings.

2. Identifying high-impact innovative solutions through multidimensional assessment and prioritization of opportunities with clear clinical and market value, and defining the most appropriate transfer pathways.

3. Fostering a value-oriented innovation culture by promoting training, challenge-based programs, internal communication, and recognition initiatives that embed innovation into clinical and research practice, with a strong focus on patient outcomes.

4. Managing and protecting VHIR's innovation assets by ensuring the proper development, valuation, and safeguarding of the institute's intangible assets.

Over recent years, VHIR has consolidated a robust innovation and business development model based on collaboration, entrepreneurship, and impact. This model has accelerated the translation of scientific results into clinical and market-ready solutions, resulting in 13 licensed technologies, 11 newly created spin-offs and start-ups, and more than 60 new jobs.

Within this ecosystem, NEUROAGE serves as a strategic network connecting researchers, clinicians, companies, technology partners, and patient associations to address the challenges of neurodegenerative diseases and healthy ageing. The Network Coordinator will play a key role in both the operational and strategic development of NEUROAGE, ensuring effective communication, event coordination, community engagement, project scouting, and alignment with the DIDN's innovation strategy.

The successful candidate will contribute to positioning NEUROAGE as a reference hub in brain and ageing innovation by maximizing its visibility, strengthening collaborations, promoting translational impact, and supporting the generation of new research and innovation opportunities.

As VHIR continues to scale its innovation model and foster cross-sector alliances, the NEUROAGE Network Coordinator will be instrumental in ensuring the long-term growth, consolidation, and international projection of the network.

Education and qualifications:Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Engineering, Communication, or a related field.

• Specific or additional training in innovation, project management, technology transfer, or related technical areas.

• Fluency in Catalan, Spanish, and English (business proficiency).

Desired:

• MBA, PhD, or Master's degree in a related discipline.

• Additional training in financial or economic management, entrepreneurship, venture creation, or similar areas.

• Advanced training in project management methodologies.

Experience and knowledge:Required:

• 3–5 years of experience managing innovation, technology transfer, or complex R&D projects within research institutions, healthcare organizations, innovation units, or similar environments.

• Strong knowledge of the biomedical research and health innovation ecosystem, including public funding mechanisms, technology transfer processes, and collaborative R&D models.

• Experience negotiating with industry partners, stakeholders, or investors.

• Experience managing teams or coordinating multidisciplinary groups.

• Professional background in the healthcare or biomedical research sector.

Desired:

• Experience in brain health, ageing, or neurodegeneration–related research or innovation projects.

• Experience coordinating networks, consortia, or multi-stakeholder initiatives.

• Knowledge of financial monitoring, resource justification, and reporting for funded projects.

Main responsibilities and duties:

• Organize and coordinate meetings of the network's governance bodies.

• Manage and maintain the member registry, including onboarding and offboarding processes and database updates.

• Coordinate internal activities, events, and the network's operational calendar.

• Monitor the implementation of the strategic plan and annual operational plan.

• Provide active support to research groups and their projects.

• Supervise and monitor the use, allocation, and justification of the network's financial and material resources.

• Manage administrative relations with funding agencies and collaborating institutions.

• Prepare and contribute to technical, financial, and progress reports.

• Facilitate effective communication among the network's governance bodies and stakeholders.

• Collaborate closely with DIDN leadership and other internal units to ensure cross-functional coordination of the network.

• Engage with external stakeholders, including research centers, universities, companies, networks, and institutions within the national and international innovation ecosystem relevant to the network.

Labour conditions:

• Full-time position: 37,5h/week.

• Starting date: immediate.

• Gross annual salary: €31,500–€33,075

• Contract: Open-ended contract linked to the project.

What can we offer?

• Incorporation to Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), a public sector institution that promotes and develops the biomedical research, innovation and teaching at Vall d'Hebron University Hospital (HUVH), the biggest hospital of Barcelona and the largest of Catalan Institute of Health (ICS).

• A scientific environment of excellence, highly dynamic, where high-end biomedical projects are continuously developed.

• Continuous learning and a wide range of responsibilities within a stimulating work environment.

• Individual training opportunities.

• Flexible working hours.

• 23 days of holidays + 9 personal days.

• Flexible Remuneration Program (including dining checks, health insurance, transportation and more)

• Corporate Benefits: platform through which you can obtain significant discounts on travel, culture, technology, gastronomy, sports... among many others.

• Healthy Offering: choose from a variety of wellbeing focused activities to be the healthiest you.

• International Mobility Support (Welcome Services): We aim to make your arrival in Barcelona smooth and pleasant by providing city information, guidance on required procedures, access to the International Welcome Desk, family recommendations, and support in finding accommodation

Deadline to apply:

How We Hire:

Pre-selection: Candidates are shortlisted based on their skills, qualifications, and relevant experience as outlined in their CVs.

Interviews:  Meetings may be held with Talent Acquisition and/or the hiring manager.

Practical assessment: Depending on the role, candidates may complete a case study, technical task, presentation, or written exercise, on-site or remotely.

Checks: Education, references, and other job-related verifications may be carried out.

Job offer: The selected candidate receives a formal job offer upon successful completion of the process.

VHIR embraces Equality and Diversity. As reflected in our values we work toward ensuring inclusion and equal opportunity in recruitment, hiring, training, and management for all staff within the organization, regardless of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, age, functional diversity or ethnicity.

---