Director of Awards/Chief Scientific Officer

Organisation/Company HFSPO - International Human Frontier Science Program Research Field Biological sciences » Biology Chemistry Environmental science Researcher Profile Leading Researcher (R4) Established Researcher (R3) Application Deadline 15 Dec 2026 - 21:59 (UTC) Country France Type of Contract Permanent Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Director of Awards/Chief Scientific Officer
HFSPO - International Human Frontier Science Program Organization
Strasbourg, France

The International Human Frontier Science Program Organization (HFSPO) is seeking a Director of Awards/Chief Scientific Officer to lead its scientific strategy, the international portfolio of for research support and engagement activities with the scientific community. This is an exciting opportunity for an accomplished life scientist, or a researcher working in a discipline at the interface with the life sciences, to provide leadership for HFSPO’s scientific mission.

ABOUT US

HFSPO is a unique organization supporting innovative, interdisciplinary and internationally collaborative basic research in the life sciences. It is supported by 17 Members, comprising 16 countries and the European Commission. Since 1990, more than 8,500 researchers from over 70 countries have been funded. Of these, 31 HFSP awardees have gone on to receive the Nobel Prize.

HFSPO is implementing its Strategy 2024–2032, which sets a path for strategic and organic growth. HFSPO aims to strengthen its core programs supporting frontier research, improve the integration of scientists from all Member countries, diversify its membership, deepen engagement with research communities worldwide and develop new opportunities for frontier science.

Reporting to the Secretary-General and serving on the Executive Leadership Team, the incumbent leads the scientific strategy and continued evolution of all HFSP Programs, ensures the excellence and integrity of peer review and award management processes, and oversees the assessment of scientific outcomes and impact.

The position also provides scientific leadership for HFSP’s community, engagement and outreach activities, represents HFSPO at scientific meetings and supports the Secretary-General in developing the Organization’s profile across a diverse range of stakeholders. The role calls for a leader with many years of research experience in the life sciences, a clear strategic vision for HFSPO, expertise in research funding and outstanding leadership qualities.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Key information

Team

Reporting to the Secretary-General, the Director of Awards/Chief Scientific Officer is a member of HFSPO’s Executive Leadership Team and provides leadership to the Organization’s scientific staff. The position works closely with Senior Scientific Officers, Scientific Officers, Program Officers and colleagues across the Secretariat, and acts as the principal Secretariat interface with the HFSPO International Science Advisory Council.

Job Description

Scientific Leadership, Strategy and Innovation

• Leads the implementation of the HFSPO Strategic Plan and ensures that funding programs and scientific activities evolve in line with its objectives;
• Conceives and develops new funding programs and scientific initiatives for HFSP;
• Develops and improves HFSP’s funding, peer review and scientific evaluation approaches to identify and support frontier, interdisciplinary research, ensuring rigorous assessment and selection;
• Leads horizon scanning to identify emerging developments in research funding and the wider scientific environment, including artificial intelligence, research integrity and security, and the growing influence of geopolitics on science, and assesses their implications for HFSPO.

Programs, Evaluation and Scientific Impact

• The position is responsible for all HFSP Programs, including Research Grants, Fellowships, Accelerator, S4S and any future programs;
• Provides executive oversight of the annual award cycles and ensures the scientific excellence, integrity and consistency of HFSPO’s peer review and selection processes;
• Advises on and resolves complex scientific or program-related cases that may have significant implications for HFSPO's reputation, policies or established practices;
• Commissions periodic external evaluations of HFSPO’s Programs and scientific activities, ensuring independent assessment of their relevance, design and effectiveness to identify improvements;
• Oversees the ongoing internal assessment of outputs, outcomes and impact from HFSP-funded research, ensuring that qualitative and quantitative evidence informs scientific strateg