Do you want to take up the challenge of addressing grand societal challenges through joint programming of research that underpins policies for societal transformations? Are you used to work in an international research policy environment, the best in networking, and do you have a PhD degree in life sciences or social sciences? Please read further!

We are looking for an Officer Research Programming Networks within Corporate Strategy & Accounts (CSA). CSA is one of the staff departments of Wageningen University & Research (WUR) and is among other responsible for strategic international collaboration.

As Officer Research Programming Networks at WUR-CSA you contribute to coordination, management, and implementation of intergovernmental initiatives and public research programming networks as well as overall promotion of joint programming principles and achievements.

Research and innovation partnerships have been introduced into the European R&I landscape to develop the European Research Area. Such partnerships aim to deliver on global challenges through concerted research and innovation efforts, working with Member States, the EU, the private sector, foundations and other stakeholders.

Corporate Strategy & Accounts is involved in the governance, coordination and management of various networks in the life sciences domain. Joint programming cycle consists of (1) identification of challenges to be jointly tackled, (2) orientation and co-design, (3) programming through developing strategic research and innovation agenda and implementation plans, (4) developing a research and innovation programme through calls and projects, and (5) evaluation which feeds into a next cycle. Funders, programme managers, scientists, end-users and other stakeholders are engaged throughout the process.

As an Officer Research Programming Networks you will team up with other colleagues active in research programming networks, such as: the Joint Programming Initiative on Agriculture, Food Security and Climate FACCE JPI, the Food Systems and Climate ERA-NET FOSC, the Green ERA-Hub initiative, the European Joint Programme on agricultural soil management EJP SOIL partnership, and in new partnerships such as on agroecology and on sustainable food systems. The activities and responsibilities of these teams and officers include:

• analyze drivers, trends, policies and research needs and organize stakeholder involvement in the joint programming processes;
• conceptualize and elaborate multi-annual strategic research and innovation agendas;
• develop content of strategic plans, through ex ante impact assessment and the alignment of goals, building on explorative workshops on emerging topics, scoping for joint calls, surveys assessing interest and commitments, and interactions with other initiatives;
• organize science-policy dialogue, construct co-creating processes and synthesize foresight reports and policy briefings;
• write substantive content for websites and information brochures and leaflets;
• connect transnational networks with institutional programmes;
• feed into international and national work to further raise the visibility of joint programming and partnerships through a range of medias and channels, trackers and platforms;
• be a focal point for the relation with other institutes, programmes, and countries involved.

The activities contribute ultimately to joint strategic research agenda’s, implementation plans, and research excellence in transnational collaborations on challenges such as coping with climate change, transforming food systems, and sustainable agriculture. The officers will be part of a self-directed working team with six other professionals that reports to the Head of Department.