The contract is funded by the Community of Madrid through the grants Ref. TEC-2024/BIO-167-“CD3DTech-CM,” Ref. TEC-2024/BIO-281-“IALIBIRD-CM,” and Ref. TEC-2024/BIO-307-“BICAROBESITY-CM,” as outlined in ORDER 5696/2024, dated December 10th, issued by the Regional Minister of Education, Science, and Universities. This order resolves the 2024 call for grants for R&D projects carried out in collaboration between research groups from universities and research organizations within the Community of Madrid under the modality of R&D activity programs in technologies, as called for by Order 3177/2024, dated July 10th, from the Regional Minister of Education, Science, and Universities (Official Gazette of the Community of Madrid No. 108, December 26, 2024).

In this context, the IMDEA Food Foundation has been awarded three grants under the Call for Grants for the Implementation of R&D Projects Among Research Groups in the Community of Madrid - Modality: R&D Activity Programs in Technologies (2024), taking on the role of coordinating entity for the following three R&D Activity Programs:

1. Ref.TEC-2024/BIO-281-“IALIBIRD-CM” Multidisciplinary Research Program on Precision Nutrition based on AI for Personalized Interventions in Oncology. Coordinating PI: Ricardo Ramos Ruiz.
2. Ref.TEC-2024/BIO-167-“CD3DTech-CM” High-throughput screening platform for precision nutrition in Non-Responsive Celiac Disease through 3D organ models and systems biology. Coordinating PI: Enrique Carrillo de Santa Pau.
3. Ref.TEC-2024/BIO-307-“BICAROBESITY-CM” Functionalization of bigels based on carob by-products for the formulation of meat-based foods: preclinical and clinical evaluation in diabesity. Coordinating PI: José Moisés Laparra Llopis.

To ensure the proper development of these Programs, the recruitment of highly qualified technical management personnel is essential.

Job Description:

The role will involve carrying out activities related to the management of scientific-technical research projects integrated into the general research line of IMDEA Food on Precision Nutrition and Cancer/GENYAL. This includes the development of the following R&D&i project(s):

1. Ref.TEC-2024/BIO-281-“IALIBIRD-CM” Multidisciplinary Research Program on Precision Nutrition based on AI for Personalized Interventions in Oncology.
   Principal Investigator: Ricardo Ramos Ruiz.
2. Ref.TEC-2024/BIO-167-“CD3DTech-CM” High-throughput screening platform for precision nutrition in Non-Responsive Celiac Disease through 3D organ models and systems biology.
   Principal Investigator: Enrique Carrillo de Santa Pau.
3. Ref.TEC-2024/BIO-307-“BICAROBESITY-CM” Functionalization of bigels based on carob by-products for the formulation of meat-based foods: preclinical and clinical evaluation in diabesity.
   Principal Investigator: José Moisés Laparra Llopis.

These are R&D projects carried out in collaboration with research groups from universities and research organizations within the Madrid Region. The projects aim to address social challenges and issues in areas of knowledge considered strategically important for the region, within the framework of R&D activity programs focused on technologies.

The R&D activity programs are consortia formed by a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 10 research groups that present a joint scientific project. These groups must belong to at least 3 different research institutions in the Madrid Region. Due to the complexity of these R&D activity programs, the funding call establishes that each consortium must include an R&D manager. This individual, belonging to the coordinating entity of the R&D activity program, will be responsible for carrying out the administrative coordination functions of the consortium.

To optimize and consolidate synergies in managing the three R&D Activity Programs, it is necessary to have a shared R&D manager across the three programs. This person will handle administrative, management, and coordination tasks for all three R&D activity programs at IMDEA Food.

Main Responsibilities 

Among others, the scientific-technical management activities to be carried out by the R&D manager will include the following:

- Administrative coordination of the consortia for the three R&D Activity Programs. Preparation of economic, legal, and project management documentation necessary for the approved R&D&i projects, including coordinating similar contributions to be prepared by the partner organizations participating in the consortia coordinated by IMDEA Food.

- Continuous monitoring of the execution of the R&D Programs to ensure the planned scientific and budgetary objectives are met for each program.

- Budgetary and administrative management: preparing and submitting economic, legal, and scientific-technical justifications for the various projects. This includes both the subprojects directly executed by IMDEA Food and the overall consortia projects for which IMDEA Food is responsible for coordination. Coordination of R&D management activities for the organizations and centers participating in these consortia is also included.

- Monitoring and controlling resources allocated to R&D&i projects undertaken by IMDEA Food, particularly through the corresponding electronic management platforms, especially Quadrivium and its derivatives.

- Development and management of administrative procedures, including the submission of justifications and documentation to the funding body (Community of Madrid).

- Contact and communication with agents responsible for program and project management at the Community of Madrid regarding any specific administrative, economic, legal, or contractual issues that may arise during the execution of European projects. Serving as a liaison with Community of Madrid officials during negotiation stages, implementation of consortium agreements, and reporting phases.

- Acting as a liaison between research groups and the Program coordinator, as well as a point of contact with the madri+d System and the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DGII) of the Community of Madrid.

- Attendance at the management committees for each program, acting as secretary for the committees.

- Preparation of minutes, detailed interim and final reports as required, in line with the consortium agreements of the programs.

- Cooperation with other R&D Activity Programs. Engaging with entities, organizations, or companies interested in the programs.

- Strategic guidance for research groups toward calls where they can be more competitive, as well as strategic promotion of funding programs that are competitive and results-oriented, both in the short and medium term. Active search for funding and partners.

- Support for IMDEA Food’s Management, particularly its R&D project management unit, concerning regional project management when necessary.

- Promoting dissemination (website, social media, etc.), communication, and transfer of scientific results, as well as the management of the exploitation of scientific outcomes.

I. Entry requirements:

Required Education:

• Degree Required: Advanced university degree, Bachelor’s or Master’s degree (level 3 of the MECES framework), preferably in the field of Life Sciences, Health Sciences, or Food Sciences (e.g., Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Food Technology) or in Economics, Business Administration, or Management.

II. Merit Evaluation

Additional Training (Other Degrees or Knowledge Considered an Asset):

• Specific training in the management, execution, monitoring, and justification of R&D&i grants, particularly those directly funded by the Community of Madrid.
• Other training directly related to the functions to be performed in the position.

Professional Experience:

• Previous experience in the management of R&D&i projects, including their monitoring and financial justification before public institutions.
• Experience managing R&D projects executed by consortia, preferably at the regional level.
• Experience using electronic platforms for the application, monitoring, and justification of R&D projects, especially those related to Community of Madrid programs, such as Quadrivium.
• Other professional experience related to the functions of the position.

Other Merits:

• Proficiency in the use of management software tools (e.g., ERPs such as Fundanet).
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Languages: High level of English in reading, writing, and speaking, verifiable.

Language proficiency must be demonstrated through the presentation of a corresponding certificate or, alternatively, by passing a language proficiency test (written and/or oral) during the selection process.

Skills and Abilities (To be assessed during the Interview):

• Proactive, autonomous, responsible, methodical, detail-oriented, and rigorous in their work, problem-solving skills, with a positive, dynamic, and efficient attitude.
• Oriented towards working on projects and achieving objectives within established deadlines.
• Strong teamwork skills, flexibility, and a high level of dedication and commitment to fulfilling responsibilities.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with strong verbal and written communication abilities and the capacity to engage with high-level stakeholders.

The selection of candidates will be carried out in accordance with the principles of equality, merit, capacity and publicity, as well as objectivity, independence and professional rigor, respecting the confidentiality of the participants' personal data, by means of a merit-based competition.

Once the deadline for the submission of applications has expired, and once the fulfilment of the requirements listed in the second base has been verified, the Selection Committee will proceed to assess the merits included in the curricula vitae related to the post and to select the candidates who best meet the established requirements,  and will then open a second selection phase consisting of a personal interview.

The personal interview will consist of a face-to-face or videoconference interview which will focus solely on the merits put forward by the candidates in the competition phase and will be aimed at assessing the candidate's suitability for the post. The interview will last a maximum of 45 minutes.

Scale - selection criteria:

The selection process will be conducted based on the following criteria:

Scoring Criteria:

I. Additional Training: 0–20*
II. Experience: 0–40*
III. Other Merits: 0–10*
IV. Interview: 0–30*

Contract Type: Permanent employment contract for the management of scientific-technical project activities (Article 23 bis of the Science Law) in accordance with current legislation, with a probationary period as established by law.

Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week, split-shift schedule, Monday to Friday.

Annual Gross Salary: Highly competitive remuneration based on the candidate's qualifications and experience.

Duration: Permanent position linked to the general research line “Precision Nutrition and Cancer / GENYAL” and funding from the TEC-2024/BIO-281-“IALIBIRD-CM,” TEC-2024/BIO-167-“CD3DTech-CM,” and TEC-2024/BIO-307-“BICAROBESITY-CM” grants from the Community of Madrid (funding ends on 12/31/2028).

Incorporation: Immediately.

Headquarter of the IMDEA Food Insitute, Madrid (SPAIN)