Head of Research and Innovation Support for Excellence

Job Reference:
Ref

Employer:
International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL)

Location:
Braga, Portugal

Group/Unit:
Research and Innovation Support for Excellence

Number of Vacancies:
1

Employment Type:
Full time

Contract Duration:
48 months

Open Date for Applications:
November 25th, 202

5Closing Date for Applications
: February 5th, 2026, 23h00m (Lisbon Time

**)

Key word**
s: #strategicvision #R&Dprogrammes #advisorysupport #researchexcellence #projectcoordination #stakeholderengagement #sustainability #innovati

**on

Overv**

iew

The Head of Research and Innovation Support for Excellence (R
ISE) will play a pivotal management role in leading the operational efforts to secure and manage competitive research funding, foster innovation, and promote scientific excellence across INL's Research and Innovation ecosys

tem.

This function oversees activities spanning INL's three grand thematic areas of research (Life Sciences, Energy and Environment and Information and Communication Technologies) and innovation, including project management support for core facilities and industrial contracts. The Head of RISE will lead a large team of project managers whose focus is to provide strategic and operational guidance to Researchers and Engineers in identifying, developing, and pursuing high-quality research and innovation projects aligned with INL's strategic objectives and international levels of excellence in benefit of the soc

iety.

This position is embedded in the Research and Innovation ecosystems and will work closely with the Research and Engineering Group Leaders, as well as with the Core Facility Heads and the Head of the Technology Transfer O

**ffice.

Job**

Duties

The main job duties and responsibilities will be the fo

**llowing:

Strategic Leadership and Institutional**

• Alignment

Lead and implement the Research and Innovation Support for Excellence (RISE) team to enhance INL's participation and success in competitive research and innovation funding p
- rogrammes.Develop and implement institutional strategies to promote scientific excellence, international collaboration, and innovation-driv
- en growth.Collaborate with senior management to ensure R&I support services are aligned with INL's mission, strategic priorities, and researc
- h roadmap.Lead the strategic repositioning of the current Grants-related unction within the new organisational structure, ensuring its strong contribution to INL's research and innovation o
- bjectives.Partner with the Strategy Unit to conduct forward-looking analyses and implement strategic alignment initiatives that advance INL's long-term R&D&I

**strategy.

Research and Innovation**

• Development

Promote a culture of excellence in R&D&I through proactive leadership, mentoring, and capacity-building within th
- e RISE team.Provide strategic guidance and support to the Research and Engineering Group Leaders (REGLs), Core Facilities, and the Innovation Board across the three Grand Thematic Areas (GTAs) and the Transversal Res
- earch Lines.Drive and coordinate initiatives beyond funding acquisition, ensuring that personnel, infrastructure, and expertise are effectively leveraged to achieve impactful, high-quality R&D&
- ;I outcomes.Support and empower researchers and engineers to dedicate more time to creative and strategic research, promoting innovation and the development of new proje
- ct concepts.Oversee and steer project lifecycles from ideation to completion, ensuring efficient monitoring, resource optimisation, and timely correct

**ive actions.

Operational Management and Proces**

• s Improvement

Ensure operational excellence across research and innovation activities through effective coordination, quality assurance, and continuou
- s improvement.Develop and implement bespoke methodologies and tools that integrate project management and financial management best practices to enhance efficiency, accountability, and de
- cision-making.Drive continuous improvement of internal processes, systems, and tools that support project development, financial control, and resour
- ce management.Monitor and report on key performance indicators, ensuring compliance with institutional policies, funding agency requirements, and internatio

**nal standards.

Collaboration, Communication, and Exte**

• rnal Engagement

Foster collaboration and effective communication among internal stakeholders (i.e., REGs, GTAs, Core Facilities, and the Innovation Board) and external partners, including funding agencies, research institution
- s, and industry.Build and maintain strategic partnerships and networks to expand INL's visibility and participation in international research and innovat
- ion initiatives.Work closely with internal and external stakeholders to promote cross-functional collaboration, knowledge exchange, and integrated p
- roject delivery.Represent INL strategically in national and international meetings, partnerships, and collaborative networks related to research and inn

**ovation support.

Mandato**

ry Qualif

• ications

EducationMSc degree in Research Planning, Business Administration, Industrial Management, Finance, Economics, or oth

**er related fields.

Experience a**

• nd Technical SkillsMinimum of 8–10 years of experience in research management, innovation support, or R&D fu
• nding environments.Proven senior-level experience in strategic planning, implementation, portfolio management, preferably in international research, academic, or intergovern
• mental environment.Demonstrated success in leadership positions, managing complex strategic initiatives across multi
• ple sites or teams.Extensive experience advising senior management and coordinating di
• verse stakeholders.Strong skills in strategic planning, execution, and pr
• ogramme management.Exceptional analytical and conceptual thinking skills, with demonstrated proficiency in data analysis and f
• inancial reporting.Outstanding verbal and written communication abilities, with a diplomatic approach and a proven capacity to influence senior-
• level stakeholders.High political acumen and the ability to navigate complex organisational environments with sound judgem
• ent and discretion.Demonstrated ability to oversee multiple concurrent institutional projects effective

**ly and efficiently.

Other Valued Skill**

• s and QualificationsPhD in Research Planning, Business Administration, Industrial Management, Finance, Economics, or o
• ther related fields.Formal Certification and/or advanced training in strategic management and/or project manag
• ement methodologies.Previous experience in strategic roles within intergovernmental or international res

earch organisations.

• Language Proficiency Apart from the English proficiency which is mandatory, knowledge of Portuguese and/or
• Spanish is necessary.German and F

rench will be v

• alued.

Personal SkillsStrong leadership, team management, and stakehol
- der engagement skills.High standard of professional
- ethics and integ
- rity.Results oriented.Collaborative mindset and prob
- lem-solving abilities.Empath
- y and approachability.Excellent communication and
- interpersonal skills.Leadership an
- d motivational skil
- ls.Strategic thinking.A
- daptability t
- o change.Decisiveness.Strong negotiating skills commensurate with an inter
- national organisation.Confl

ict Resoluti

• on skills.

Our BenefitsComp
- etitive salary package.Tax benefits and other
- Diplomatic privileges.Pr
- ivate health insurance.Family allowances (accordin
- g to family situation).Free nursery service at INL premises (su
- bject to availability).Support for education fees
- of dependent child
- ren.Relocation support.30 workin

g days of an

nual leave.

How
to ApplyThe applic
ation must be in English a
nd include the follo
w

1. ing mandator
2. y documents:Cove
3. r letterCurriculum VitaeAcademic and/

**or Professional diplomas

Online**

1. application instructions:The application is made online by cli
2. cking the "Apply" button.The candidate must complete all required sections of the
3. online application form.The candidate must submit the mandatory documents mentioned above in pdf format by including them in the "Additional files" section using th

e "Add portfoli

o" button.

Important note:Incomplete applications including the failure to provide mandatory documents or providing inaccurate information will result in the applicat

**ion not being considered.

How**

**the Selection Process works

A. Ap**

plications eligibility checkThis stage will be carried out on the basis of the mandatory requirements, education, experience and technical skills defined for the job, as well as the validation of the mandatory documents. Only candidates who meet the eligibility criteria will mov

e forward to the

next stage.

B. CV AssessmentThe Selection Committee will evaluate the eligible applications based on their CV and other submitted documents and the suitability for the position. The best ranked candidates will be shortliste

d for the inter

view stage(s).

C. Interview(s)The interview(s) may be done in different formats: vide

o recording, online or onsite.The question based interview will evaluate the match between the candidate's profile and the requirements for the position, including the technical and personal skills. To better support this stage, the candidate may be requested to

prepare a sh

ort presentation.

D. NominationThe selected candidate will be nominated and formally offered the position, including the disclosure

of the contractual co

**nditions.

Additional**

Information

Application feedbackWe highly value your interest in becoming part of the INL experience and it is important for us to maintain good communications with all candidates. No matter the outcome of your application, we will

**always provide you with feedback.

Equal Opportunit**

y and Non-Discrimination PrincipleINL follows a non-discrimination and equal access principle, wherefore no candidate can be privileged, benefited, impaired or deprived of any rights whatsoever, or be exempt of and duties based on a

ny possible discriminatory issues.

The advertisement deadline may be extended at any time without previous notice in order to improve the suitability and effect

iveness of the recruitment process.