Scientific adviser JPI Oceans - VLIZ

The Joint Programming Initiative Healthy and Productive Seas and Oceans (JPI Oceans) is a European coordinating and integrating platform, open to all EU Member States and Associated Countries investing in marine and maritime research. The overall aim of JPI Oceans is to pool national research efforts in order to make better use of Europe's public R&D resources.

In doing so, JPI Oceans aims to add value by:

• avoiding fragmentation and unnecessary duplication
• planning common and flexible initiatives
• facilitating cooperation and foresighting
• establishing efficient mechanisms for interaction and knowledge transfer between the scientific community, industry & services, and policy makers at high level to more effectively solve the grand challenges.  

Currently 18 countries are participating in JPI Oceans. More information on JPI Oceans on the website: www.jpi-oceans.eu

The JPI Oceans secretariat is looking for a scientific adviser. The person will be hired by the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) and seconded to the JPI Oceans secretariat in Brussels.  

Key responsibilities:

• Support in the mapping and analysis on the needs and gaps of European marine and maritime research policies and priorities.
• Collaborate on the analysis of the needs and gaps of European marine and maritime research infrastructure.
• Assist in coordinating the development of a Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda and Implementation plan for JPI Oceans.
• Collaborate on the implementation of JPI Oceans pilot actions (e.g. joint calls, partnerships, pooling of national research infrastructure,…)   
• Liaise closely with the JPI Oceans Strategic Advisory Board in the preparation of the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda.
• Report to the JPI Oceans Management Board.
• Collaborate closely with the international consortium of the EU FP7 project CSA Oceans, set up to support JPI Oceans in its initial phase.   
• Prepare and draft reports, memos and policy documents.  
• Organise and coordinate working groups, strategic discussions with stakeholders, workshops and events.
• Represent and present JPI Oceans at international meetings and conferences.

Requirements:

• Master degree or PhD in Marine or Maritime Sciences, Engineering or related fields.
• At least 4-5 year working experience (preferably in an international working environment)
• Experience in marine – maritime research policy is an asset
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills in English. Knowledge of French and other European languages is an asset. (The working language in the JPI Oceans secretariat is English)
• Ability to produce reports, memos and policy documents under tight deadlines
• Strong analytical skills and ability to synthesize information
• Very good inter-personal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations within a multi-cultural environment

VLIZ and the JPI Oceans Secretariat offer:

• The opportunity to work in an international organisation with a dynamic multi-cultural team
• Be part of a dynamic, fast-paced working environment with a team of highly skilled co-workers

Conditions:

• Starting date: As soon as possible
• Permanent contract with a salary scale according to the terms and conditions of the Flemish Government
• Additional benefits: pension  insurance contract, hospitalisation insurance, meal vouchers and internet allowance.
• 35 days of  annual leave
• Occasional travelling will be required

Location: Rue du Trône 130, 1050 Brussels  

To apply:
Please send your cover letter and CV to Jan Mees, Director VLIZ, Wandelaarkaai 7, B-8400 Oostende, Belgium before 19 December 2012.

Contact information:
JPI Oceans secretariat
T: +32 (0) 2 626 16 60
Adress: Rue du Trône 130, 1050 Brussels  
www.jpi-oceans.eu | www.vliz.be