The Scientific Coordination Unit, part of the Scientific Strategy Directorate at the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), plays a central role in strengthening VHIR’s scientific ecosystem. Our mission is to enhance the institute’s internal scientific structure, foster collaboration and strategic alliances, and strengthen scientific talent development, ensuring impact-oriented research aligned with major health challenges and institutional priorities, with the ultimate goal of improving society’s well-being.

We act as a catalyst for scientific excellence by organising and supporting the institutional scientific structure (Research Areas, Hubs, CORES and Programmes), mapping and managing the research portfolio, fostering synergies between groups to promote growth in strategic scientific priorities, and driving the identification and development of cutting-edge research lines. We also work to support scientific development and an excellent scientific talent community, and to manage institutional calls, ensuring transparent and inclusive criteria for evaluating scientific performance, aligned with Open Science and responsible research assessment practices.

We are seeking to recruit a Scientific Coordination Officer to join the Scientific Coordination Unit and contribute to the implementation of VHIR’s scientific development strategy. The position will provide operational, analytical and organisational support to scientific development activities, helping to ensure alignment with institutional priorities and fostering a culture of scientific excellence across the institute.

The successful candidate will contribute to the development and implementation of VHIR’s scientific development and research assessment initiatives, supporting researcher career development, mentoring and talent development programmes, and institutional evaluation processes. The role will contribute to the implementation of responsible research assessment practices aligned with CoARA principles and will provide expertise at the intersection of research assessment and Open Science, while working closely with the research community to promote continuous improvement, transparency and excellence in research.

Main responsibilities and duties:

Support and coordinate initiatives aimed at scientific career development and researcher support across different career stages.
Provide guidance to researchers regarding institutional scientific development programmes and career-related opportunities.
Contribute to the organisation and management of mentoring, training and scientific career development initiatives, ensuring alignment with institutional guidelines and the scientific career framework, in collaboration with the relevant areas.
Support the conceptualisation, organisation and management of institutional calls, including the preparation of documentation and the application of evaluation criteria.
Support the implementation and continuous improvement of institutional research assessment practices aligned with CoARA principles and responsible research assessment frameworks.
Participate in the Open Science Working Group as a research assessment specialist, contributing to the alignment between Open Science and responsible research assessment practices.
Identify relevant funding opportunities related to scientific development, research assessment or Open Science, and support the preparation of proposals when required.
Interact with VHIR Principal Investigators, research groups and internal support units to collect information, provide guidance and ensure the appropriate implementation of initiatives.
Communicate ideas clearly and concisely through presentations, written documents and reports to different stakeholders.
Integrate and promote Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) values in scientific activities.
Support strategic institutional priorities involving the Scientific Strategy Area.
Participate in teaching or training activities organised by the Unit or VHIR.
Undertake any additional tasks within the scope of the position assigned by the Unit Head.

Education and qualifications:

Required:

Bachelor’s Degree in Life Sciences or a related field.
Excellent written and oral communication skills in Catalan, Spanish and English (business level).

Desirable:

Complementary training in project management, research evaluation or scientific management.
PhD.
Additional training in research management, research evaluation, science policy, Open Science or responsible research assessment.

Experience and knowledge:

Required:

Experience in research management, research evaluation and scientific policy within research-performing or research-funding organisations.
Knowledge of responsible research assessment practices and current reforms in research evaluation, including principles promoted by CoARA.
Knowledge of researcher career development frameworks and research assessment practices within the Spanish and European research systems.
Experience interacting with researchers and scientific leadership in a support, advisory or coordination role.
Ability to work autonomously on assigned tasks and projects, under the guidance of the Unit Head.
Advanced use of Microsoft 365 tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint and Power BI).

Desirable:

Experience participating in initiatives related to research assessment reform, Open Science, research careers or institutional scientific policies.
Familiarity with European initiatives and policy frameworks related to research assessment, Open Science and responsible research.
Experience organising mentoring, training or researcher support activities.
Experience preparing reports, guidelines, procedures or evaluation documentation.
Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trust-based relationships across the research community.
High levels of empathy, active listening and service orientation.
Ability to facilitate discussions and manage diverse perspectives in a constructive manner.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Intermediate skills in analytical thinking, adaptability, problem-solving, results orientation and task coordination, with the ability to analyse complex situations, identify practical solutions and effectively adapt to diverse challenges.
Familiarity with Fundanet as a research management and institutional information system.

Labour conditions:

Working hours: Full-time (37.5 hours per week).
Starting date: As soon as possible.
Gross annual salary: Remuneration will be determined by experience, skills and responsibilities and aligned with the Collective Agreement pay scale.
Contract type: Permanent contract.

What can we offer?

Incorporation into the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), a public sector institution that promotes and develops biomedical research, innovation and teaching at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital (HUVH), the largest hospital in Barcelona and the largest within the Catalan Institute of Health (ICS).
A dynamic scientific environment of excellence, where cutting-edge biomedical projects are continuously developed.
Continuous learning and career development pathways.
Flexible working hours.
23 days of annual leave plus 9 personal days.
Flexible remuneration programme, including meal vouchers, health insurance, transport and more.
Corporate benefits platform, offering significant discounts on travel, culture, technology, gastronomy, sports and more.
Healthy offering– “Feel Good, Feel VHIR”: VHIR’s wellbeing programme offers a variety of activities to help staff thrive—physically, mentally, and socially. Through four pillars—Feel Well, Feel Connected, Feel Empowered, Feel Welcomed—it fosters health, growth, and community.
International mobility support (Welcome Services): we aim to make your arrival in Barcelona smooth and pleasant by providing city information, guidance on required procedures, access to the International Welcome Desk, family support and assistance with finding accommodation.

Deadline to apply: 03-09-2026

How We Hire:

Pre-selection: Candidates are shortlisted based on their skills, qualifications, and relevant experience as outlined in their CVs.

Interviews: Meetings may be held with Talent Acquisition and/or the hiring manager.

Practical assessment: Depending on the role, candidates may complete a case study, technical task, presentation, or written exercise, on-site or remotely.

Checks: Education, references, and other job-related verifications may be carried out.

Job offer: The selected candidate receives a formal job offer upon successful completion of the process.

VHIR embraces Equality and Diversity. As reflected in our values we work toward ensuring inclusion and equal opportunity in recruitment, hiring, training, and management for all staff within the organisation, regardless of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, age, functional diversity or ethnicity.

Information on Personal Data Protection:
Data Controller: Fundació Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca -VHIR-. Purpose: Personnel selection. Legal Basis: Your consent. Data retention period: One year. If you are selected, as long as the employment relationship is in force and legal responsibilities may arise. Data sharing: Does not occur, except for communications necessary to fulfill the purpose and those required by law to public and private bodies. Rights: You can access, rectify, delete, object to, and limit the processing of data, as well as request data portability where applicable, by contacting lopd@vhir.org. DPO: dpd@ticsalutsocial.cat. More information can be found here.
Data Protection Authority: APDCAT