ppLifeWatch ERIC is Europe’s e-Science and Technology Infrastructure for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research. It is seeking an outstanding Chief Executive Officer (CEO), through an international open competition, to lead the organisation into its next phase of development. The CEO will work with the General Assembly, Member States and partners to strengthen LifeWatch ERIC’s scientific excellence, technological capacity, organisational cohesion and contribution to open science, biodiversity knowledge and sustainability policy. /p pbAbout LifeWatch ERIC /b /p pbLifeWatch ERIC /bis ab distributed European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC) /bcomposed ofb eight European Union Member States. /b It provides digital platforms, services and computational tools that empower scientists to explore and understand the complex relationships between biodiversity, ecosystems and human activities. Its bmission /b is to accelerate scientific discovery and innovation through a bstate-of-the-art eScience research infrastructure /b, helping society address environmental and sustainability challenges. /p pLifeWatch ERIC operates through a bdistributed architecture /bcomprising three Common Facilities, coordinated and supported by the bStatutory Seat Office (SSO) /bin Seville, Spain: /p ullibICT Core /b, Seville, Spain; /lilibService Centre /b, Lecce, Italy; /lilibVirtual Laboratories and Innovation Centre /b, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. /li /ul pbOur value proposition: /bLifeWatch ERIC provides scientists, policy-makers and citizens with open access to biodiversity and ecosystem data, analytical tools and virtual laboratories. By integrating technology, data and knowledge, LifeWatch ERIC supports bevidence-based decisions /b, advances bopen and FAIR science /b, and strengthens Europe’s capacity to respond to the planetary biodiversity and climate crisis. /p pbThe Position /b /p pThe CEO is the chief executive and legal representative of LifeWatch ERIC as bDirector General /b, responsible for the overall leadership, strategic direction and operational management of the organisation. /p pThe successful candidate will be an exceptional leader with extensive experience bacross research, public administration and engagement with societal stakeholders /b, and a strong record of executive leadership in blarge-scale /b research infrastructures or programmes operating in complex governance settings. /p pWorking closely with the General Assembly, Member States and European institutions, the CEO will blead the implementation of LifeWatch ERIC’s strategy and guide the organisation’s next phase of development /b. The role requires visionary guidance,



collaborative engagement and a strong commitment to open science, biodiversity and ecosystem research, and sustainability. /p pbMain Duties and Responsibilities: /b /p pThe CEO will: /p ulliProvide bstrategic leadership /band ensure alignment with the General Assembly’s vision and objectives. /liliRepresent LifeWatch ERIC as its blegal and public representative /bin all external relations. /liliOversee the bscientific, technical, administrative, and financial /boperations of the organisation. /liliPromote the visibility and global impact of LifeWatch ERIC across the bEuropean Research Area /band beyond. /liliStrengthen collaboration among bMember States /b, the bCommon facilities /b and binternational partners /b /liliPromoteb knowledge transfer to end users and policy-makers /b, ensuring that LifeWatch ERIC’s services and outputs bsupport research, policy and societal needs /b. /liliEnsure bcompliance /bwith legal, financial, and ethical frameworks applicable to ERICs. /liliLead the development of policies that reinforce LifeWatch ERIC’s contribution to European and global initiatives on biodiversity and sustainability. /liliInspire, manage, and support LifeWatch ERIC’s staff and research community to achieve organisational excellence. /li /ul pbKey Competences and Experience /b /p pThe idóneo candidate will have: /p ullibOver 10 years of professional and leadership experience /b in similarly responsible roles at European or international level, preferably within research infrastructures, academia, or intergovernmental organisations. /liliA thorough bunderstanding of the scientific and societal challenges /b in bdata-driven biodiversity and ecosystem research /b and be able to btranslate these challenges into concrete approaches /bfor LifeWatch. /liliDemonstrated ability in bstrategic planning, governance, and financial management /b, with the capacity to bprioritise and translate strategic objectives into a concrete work plan /b for the organisation. /liliExcellent ability to connect across cultures, disciplines, and sectors. /liliStrongb communication /b and bnegotiation /bskills, with the capacity to binteract effectively /b with the bGeneral Assembly /b, bAdvisory and other Supporting Bodies /b,



bunderstand their dynamics /b, and bbuild trust /b. /liliA deep commitment to bopen science /b and a bhealthy research culture; /b /liliHigh bethical standards /b and bintegrity /b bin science /b, btechnology /b, bgovernance /b, and bworking culture /b. /lilibProficiency in English /b, the working language of LifeWatch ERIC. Knowledge of Spanish or other European languages is an asset. /li /ul pbEducation and Qualifications: /b /p ullibPhD degree /borb equivalent qualification /bin a discipline relevant to biodiversity and ecosystem research or related fields. /liliEvidence of bcontinuing professional development /b, for example in bleadership or management /b ("e.g., MBA"), will be an asset. /li /ul pbTerms of Appointment /b /p ullibLocation: /bLifeWatch ERIC Statutory Seat, Seville, Spain; /lilibContract: /bFull-time under Spanish law; /lilibDuration: /bFour (4) years, renewable once by decision of the General Assembly; /lilibSalary: /bCompetitive, commensurate with the position’s seniority and the candidate’s experience €). /li /ul pThe deadline for applications is b30 August 2026. /b /p pThe recruitment process will follow LifeWatch ERIC’s approved Selection Guidelines, ensuring confidentiality, transparency, fairness and equal opportunity for all candidates. /p pbWhy Join Us? /b /p pLifeWatch ERIC offers the opportunity to lead a bpan-European effort /b that bconnects science, technology and society in addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges /b. The appointed CEO will help shape an internationally connected research infrastructure that supports discovery, innovation and collaboration, from the molecular to the landscape levels of biological organisation, and from local ecosystems to planetary scales. /p pbEqual Opportunities /b /p pLifeWatch ERIC is an bequal-opportunity employer /bcommitted to diversity, inclusion, and gender balance ( Applications are welcomed from qualified candidates of all backgrounds and nationalities. /p pbWorking and Living in Seville, Spain /b /p pSeville is a vibrant, culturally rich city in southern Spain, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its history, innovation, and quality of life. The city offers excellent international connections, modern infrastructure, and an inspiring environment for professionals and their families. /p pbLead the Future of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research /b /p pThe appointed CEO will guide LifeWatch ERIC, Europe’s e-Science infrastructure for biodiversity and ecosystem research, into a new era of innovation, collaboration and sustainability /p /p #J-18808-Ljbffr

📌 Chief Executive Officer (Sevilla)
🏢 LifeWatch ERIC
📍 Sevilla