Scientific Program Officer - NCCR Separations (80-100%)

About the role

The Scientific Program Officer supports the scientific coordination, quality and implementation of the NCCR Separations, working closely with the Program Manager, NCCR Directors, Principal Investigators, Work Package Leaders, researchers and institutional services. The position is based primarily at EPFL Valais Wallis in Sion, with a minimum of 3 days on site per week, and is offered as a 1-year fixed-term contract.

Key responsibilities

• Scientific reporting and communication: coordinate scientific information for SNSF reports, annual reviews and strategic documents; develop common reporting templates, guidelines, timelines and processes; monitor progress, milestones, publications and key indicators; contribute to presentations, newsletters, websites and stakeholder communications.
• Open Science: implement the NCCR Open Science strategy, monitor Open Access and Open Research Data compliance, promote FAIR and reproducible research, and guide researchers toward repositories and licensing approaches.
• Research data management: coordinate the NCCR Data Management Plan, establish common approaches for data organisation, metadata, storage, sharing and archiving, and liaise with EPFL and partners on data infrastructure and repositories.
• Knowledge and technology transfer: identify research results, methods, technologies, software and datasets with potential impact, facilitate links between researchers, KTT services, industry and other stakeholders, and help develop and report on the KTT strategy.
• Digital tools: develop and maintain dashboards, databases and indicators for program coordination and monitoring, ensure data quality and update them regularly, and train users.

Required profile

• PhD in chemistry, chemical engineering, material science, process engineering, physics, mechanical, environmental or electrical engineering; alternatively a Master's degree with at least 5 years of relevant experience.
• Experience in separation science or a related field.
• Experience in scientific writing, reporting, research coordination or program management; recent graduates with relevant coordination or writing experience are encouraged to apply.
• Excellent scientific writing, synthesis, organisational and communication skills, and ability to work independently and coordinate with researchers, management and external stakeholders; onboarding and mentoring provided.
• Excellent command of English; French and/or German is an asset.

Required skills

• Knowledge of Open Science, research data management, FAIR principles and reproducible research.
• Experience with databases and collaborative digital tools; experience with Airtable is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with KTT, research valorisation, intellectual property or industry-academia collaboration is an asset.