The contract is part of the project: 101162297 — MENTORING — HORIZON-EIC-2023-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01, funded by the European Commission - European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA).

IMDEA Food is part of the Network of Madrid Institutes for Advanced Studies (IMDEA Institutes), promoted by the Community of Madrid to develop socially impactful research and achieve international scientific excellence.

Within this framework, the 101162297 - MENTORING project is being developed under the title:
“Addressing Malnutrition and Metabolic Health in Non-Communicable Diseases through Precision Nutrition: Impact on Quality of Life and Prognosis of Lung Cancer Patients.” This project is part of the HORIZON-EIC-2023-PathfinderChallenges-01 call, in which IMDEA Food serves as the coordinator, integrating it into its research line “Clinical Trials in Precision Nutrition and Health” (GENYAL). For its proper development, qualified technical management personnel are required.

Reference: GEU2025-009 – “MENTORING” (2) – European R&D&I Project Manager

Research Line: Clinical Trials in Precision Nutrition and Health (GENYAL)

Principal Investigator: Dr. Juan Moreno Rubio

Research Group: Clinical Oncology

Research Program: Precision Nutrition and Cancer

Job Description:

The purpose of the position is to carry out management activities for scientific-technical research and innovation projects funded by the EU or entities linked to the EU, within the IMDEA Food research line on Clinical Trials in Precision Nutrition and Health (GENYAL).

This role involves overseeing the development of the following R&D&I project(s):

"MENTORING – Addressing Malnutrition and Metabolic Health in Non-Communicable Diseases through Precision Nutrition: Impact on Quality of Life and Prognosis of Lung Cancer Patients."

Main Responsibilities 

-Continuous monitoring of the execution of European R&D&I projects to ensure the achievement of planned scientific and budgetary objectives. This includes preparing and submitting the economic, legal, and scientific justifications of the project, covering both the subprojects directly executed by IMDEA Food and the overall consortium projects coordinated by IMDEA Food. This also involves coordinating R&D&I management activities among participating organizations and research centers within these consortia.

Specific leadership within the 101162297 – MENTORING project (HE, EIC Pathfinder), overseeing, supporting, and executing Work Packages 4, 5, 6, and 7 ( Identification of dietary modulators and nutritional strategies /  Clinical validation and implementation / Project and risk management /  Dissemination, communication, and exploitation) and providing support for the management of other work packages coordinated by IMDEA Food ( Prospective study for sample and data collection / Molecular profiling and biomarkers / Data integration and modeling / Portfolio actions, integration, and development)

-Monitoring and control of resources allocated to European R&D&I projects developed by IMDEA Food, particularly through electronic management platforms such as Participant Portal, Funding & Tenders, and related systems.

-Preparation of economic, legal, and project management documentation necessary within approved European R&D&I projects. This includes coordinating contributions of the same type from partner organizations in the consortia coordinated by IMDEA Food.

-Development and management of administrative procedures, including the submission of justifications and required documentation to the European Commission.

-Acting as a key point of contact with European Commission officials responsible for managing programs and projects. This includes addressing administrative, financial, legal, or contractual issues that may arise during the execution of European projects. Additionally, serving as a liaison with European Commission officials during negotiation, contract implementation, and reporting stages.

-Preparation of detailed interim and final reports as required under the European Commission grant agreements.

-Strategic guidance for the research group, ensuring participation in the most competitive calls and promoting funding programs that align with short- and medium-term strategic objectives.

-Support for IMDEA Food’s management team, particularly in the R&D project management unit, regarding European project management when needed. Additionally, promoting and supporting the Institute’s innovation and internationalization policies.

I. Entry requirements:

Required Education:

Education Level: University degree (Bachelor’s or Master’s, Level 3 of the MECES framework), preferably in Life Sciences, Health Sciences, or Food Sciences (e.g., Food Technology, Nutrition) or in Economics, Business Administration, or Management.

Other Requirements:

Advanced English proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking (verifiable C1 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages or equivalent).

English proficiency must be demonstrated through an official certificate or, if unavailable, by successfully passing a written and/or oral language test during the selection process.

II. Merit Evaluation

Additional Training (Other Degrees and Knowledge Considered Valuable)

• Specialized training in management, execution, monitoring, and justification of R&D&I grants, technology transfer, and R&D support services, particularly those directly funded by the EU.
• Other training directly related to the responsibilities of the position

Professional Experience Considered Valuable

• Experience in managing European R&D&I projects funded or initiated directly by the EU (e.g., H2020, Horizon Europe), including monitoring and financial justification.
• Experience in managing projects executed by international consortia, preferably European and R&D or innovation-focused consortia.
• Experience using electronic platforms for applying, monitoring, and justifying European R&D&I projects, particularly Funding & Tenders Portal and related tools.
• Other professional experience related to the functions of the position.

Other Merits Considered Valuable

• Knowledge and proficiency in project management software tools (e.g., ERPs like Fundanet Suite).
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel (pivot tables, macros, templates, forms, and data analysis).

Skills and Competencies (To Be Assessed During the Interview)

• Proactive, autonomous, responsible, and methodical individual with strong attention to detail and accuracy in work.
• Problem-solving mindset, positive and dynamic attitude, and effectiveness in task execution.
• Goal- and project-oriented work approach, with the ability to meet deadlines.
• Teamwork ability, flexibility, high commitment, and engagement.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and strong verbal and written communication abilities, particularly in high-level interactions.

Note: To verify professional experience, candidates must submit at least a social security work history report or employment contract. Recommendation letters from previous employers detailing specific responsibilities performed will also be considered.

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: Indefinite duration, contingent on funding from the GA 101162297 – MENTORING – HORIZON-EIC-2023-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01 grant (funding ends on 08/31/2028).

Incorporation: Immediately

Headquarter of the IMDEA Food Insitute, Madrid (SPAIN)