EU Policy Officer, Lärosäten Syds EU-office, Bryssel - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Lärosäten Syd (Universities in South Sweden) is a network for collaboration between Sweden’s seven southernmost higher education institutions: Blekinge Institute of Technology, Halmstad University, Kristianstad University, Linnaeus University, Lund University, Malmö University and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. The collaboration within Lärosäten Syd aims at increased national and international competitiveness as well as increased influence and impact towards government, authorities and funding bodies. EU is an important arena for this collaboration with a focus on research, education and innovation. Since 2018, Lärosäten Syd has a joint Brussels office staffed with one EU Policy Officer who complements the support at each university.

Lärosäten Syd are now looking to strengthen our Brussels office with one more EU Policy Officer.

The position is based in Nordic House in Brussels where Lärosäten Syd shares an office with Skåne European Office (Region Skåne). On the same floor is the regional office of Småland Blekinge Halland South Sweden. Nordic House is also home to Sweden’s Research and Innovation Office in Brussels (SWERI).

You will be employed by Lund University at the Division Research, Collaboration and Innovation (FSI). You will also be an important colleague in the EU related work of all seven member universities, in particular via a working group of the research and innovation services/grants offices. In your role you will report regularly to Lärosäten Syd via a steering group as well as to FSI. Regular travel for meetings at our universities in Sweden is required.

FSI provides support to researchers, external partners and university management in matters relating to external research funding, philanthropy, coordination of innovation and collaboration projects, commissioned education, science communication, postgraduate education, licensing and commercialisation of research results.

Work duties

• Continuously monitor, analyse and inform about EU funding opportunities within the universities’ research areas, in particular in the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. This includes organising joint workshops for researchers at the universities.
• Track EU policy developments related to research, education and innovation, and provide strategic advice and decision support to the Brussels office steering group and university management, research services and planning departments.
• Represent Lärosäten Syd and coordinate our participation in our various Brussels networks for research, education and regional innovation with the goal of developing collaboration with other universities and actors.
• Develop and maintain contacts in the EU institutions and provide pathways for our universities to increase their capacity to influence policy processes.
• Contribute to increasing the visibility of our research and researchers to the EU institutions and other European stakeholders, in particular through the organisation of various types of events.
• Create opportunities for sourcing good practice and mutual learning with other universities and networks.
• Contribute to increased collaboration within Lärosäten Syd.

Qualifications

You have an academic degree relevant to the position, as well as good knowledge of the university and higher education sector. The position requires very good knowledge about the EU institutions and policy processes, especially research and innovation policy and the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. We consider it a merit if you also have knowledge about education policy and the Erasmus+ programme, as well as other EU programmes. A further merit is experience of working with research and research support, as well as experience from EU affairs-related work in Brussels.

You are proactive, good at creating relations and building personal networks. You enjoy working in a service-oriented role and as an advisor. We welcome experience of working with networks, collaboration and membership organisations. We consider it a merit if you already have your own personal network in Brussels. As the position requires regular contacts with a wide variety of stakeholders, you will have excellent communication skills.

You are responsible and enjoy taking own initiatives, as well as working in a small team together with colleagues from different organisations. You approach challenges in a creative and analytical manner and you are able to prioritise when the work load is high.

A very high standard of English, both spoken and written, is required. A good level of further European languages, in particular Swedish, is considered a merit.

In the selection of candidates, strong emphasis will be placed on personal suitability to the role.

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard gender equality and diversity as a strength and an asset. We kindly decline all sales and marketing contacts.