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 final goal to improve 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 Programs), 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 build and support 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 Project Officer to join the Scientific Coordination Unit to support the coordination and management of VHIR’s scientific structure, contributing to the development and implementation of the institute’s scientific strategy. The position will provide operational, analytical and organisational support, helping ensure alignment with strategic priorities, and the promotion of scientific projects across the institute.

The selected candidate will contribute to activities such as mapping and managing the research portfolio, supporting the organisation and functioning of Research Areas, Hubs, CORES and Programs, boosting internal and external collaborative research and promote and organise joint initiatives, scientific activities/events and identify opportunities of shared equipment and technologies.

Main responsibilities and duties:

• Support the organisation, functioning and continuous development of the institutional scientific structure, including Research Areas, Hubs, COREs and programs, effectively managing diverse topics
• Promote internal and external collaborative research by coordinating scientific initiatives, symposia, joint activities and strategic partnerships
• Conduct analysis and mapping of scientific expertise within the institution to promote excellence, efficiency and visibility.
• Coordinate projects independently, ensuring completion within established parameters and timelines
• Identify relevant funding opportunities related to scientific coordination interests and support proposal preparation
• Manage relationships with both internal and external stakeholders, proactively fostering collaboration, addressing their needs and resolving concerns
• Communicate ideas clearly and concisely, through presentations, written documents, or reports, across different stakeholders
• Interact with VHIR Principal Investigators and research groups when needed for the analysis, design and implementation of the initiatives
• Collaborate with other support units from VHIR to ensure the proper implementation of the initiatives
• 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 related areas
• Excellent written and oral communication in Catalan, Spanish, English (business level)
  
  

Desirable:

• Complementary training in project management, research evaluation, or scientific management
  
  

Experience and knowledge:

Required:

• Minimum of 1-year experience in research institutions and/or scientific project management.
• Knowledge of research environments and biomedical research landscape
• Theoretical and practical knowledge of scientific coordination, research procedures and scientific documentation
• Ability to carry out delegated duties with moderate autonomy and occasional supervision
• Knowledge of IT tools, especially Microsoft 365 (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Power BI)
  
  

Desirable:

• Familiarity with responsible research and innovation principles
• Intermediate skills in analytical thinking, and adaptability, analysing complex situations and adapting to diverse challenges
• Intermediate skills in problem solving, results orientation and task coordination
• Advanced skills in time-management, planning, and reporting activities
• Advanced communication skills, capable of effectively presenting information, projects, and data in a compelling manner
• Team player with excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact with different hierarchical levels of the organisation
  
  

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: Open-ended contract linked to the project
  
  

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: 26-04-2026

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 organization, 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 [email protected]. DPO: [email protected]. More information: www.vhir.org

Data Protection Authority: APDCAT