Vice Executive Director (f/m) - Ref: 24-01

The Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER)  is recruiting a strategic leader for impactful research 

LISER’s Vice Executive Director (f/m)

•Ref: 24-01

•Unlimited employment contract at LISER (40h/week)

•Location: Belval (Luxembourg)

LISER, a publicly funded research institute located in Luxembourg, develops and promotes fundamental and applied research in the social sciences to respond to societal challenges, as well as to social, economic and spatial needs. With the aim of contributing to sustainable socio-economic development, based on knowledge and improving the quality of life of the population, LISER contributes to enlighten and inform society, as well as to advise decision-making of public authorities and socio-economic actors at national and international levels. 

LISER is currently looking for candidates to fill the Vice Executive Director position . 

The role of Vice Executive Director at LISER

The Vice Executive Director will oversee LISER’s research-related and societal impact related activities. As a member of the Executive Committee, the Vice Executive Director will participate in providing strategic leadership for LISER’s impact-oriented research activities as well as for the development of LISER’s scientific know-hows, infrastructural tools and methods. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Vice Executive Director will be involved in the daily running of LISER’s operations as well as in LISER’s strategic development. More specifically, the Vice Executive Director will be in charge of the implementation of transversal strategic developments across LISER in alignment with the strategic orientations defined by the Board of Directors. Through this forward-looking leadership role, credibility and stature, the Vice Executive Director will be fostering the continuous improvement of LISER’s scientific, societal impact and external-funding performance. He/She will be an ambassador for the institute, representing LISER in national and international communities and networks.  

The role of Vice Executive Director is crucial to LISER’s strategic evolution as a world-class research institution in fundamental and applied socio-economic research.

The Vice Executive Director’s main responsibilities will be the following :

-Engage colleagues and inspire collective dynamics with the aim of continuously developing LISER’s research excellence and societal impact;

-Lead on multiple strategic transversal projects across the institute, including the continuous improvement of research quality, impact and career development frameworks (with a particular focus on doctoral and post-doctoral career stages);

-Assist the Chief Executive Officer in the day-to-day running of LISER’s operational management;

-Act as an expertise advisor to the Chief Executive Officer in the advancement of LISER’s scientific agenda and strategic positioning; 

-Prepare, plan and promote the implementation of strategies and best practices, fostering research innovation, excellence and societal impact;

-Work up, down and across the institute to develop solid and trustful relationships;

-Take part in the organisational and financial management of the institute as well as in its risk management;

-Focus on the development of a strong, collaborative and inspiring working culture across LISER with strong values, fostering research excellence and societal impact;

-Develop and strengthen LISER’s network of national and international partners/collaborations, with  dual focus of strengthening LISER’s global reputation and stimulate its external fund-raising performance;

-Keep pace with the external political, economic, scientific and technological environment in Luxembourg and internationally, and assess the implications for the future development of the institute;

-Act as an ambassador for LISER and the public research sector, taking responsibility for promoting the institute’s/sector’s reputation internationally, nationally and locally across scientific and policy-making communities. 

Your profile

-PhD degree in one of LISER’s main expertise area;

-Experience in a similar position within a research environment;

-Leadership skills and governance, ability to promote and lead in a multicultural environment;

-Proven established international reputation and high standard publication record;

-Ability to identify and pursue fund-raising opportunities;

-Deep understanding of the challenges within the academic/research sector;

-Excellent organization and communications skills at all levels, including national and internationals organizations/partners;

-Proactive attitude in developing original ideas and creative approaches;

-Fluency in English and French, any other language is considered as an asset.

What we offer

-Permanent employment contract and a competitive remuneration package in line with your competences and achievements;

-A dynamic and international research environment with attractive working conditions and a stimulating work environment;

-Investment in career and development;

-32.5 days of annual leave.

Application process

Please submit your complete application in English via https://jobs.liser.lu/ by including the following documents before 15th of March 2024:

-Detailed curriculum vitae;

-Motivation letter; 

-Copy of your diplomas;

-Recommendation letters and contact details of 3 referees.

Deadline to submit applications: 15th of March 2024

All applications will be treated in the strictest equality and confidence.

For questions about the recruitment process, please contact Mrs. Jennifer LA SCHIAZZA at [email protected].

About LISER

LISER is a publicly funded research institute located in Luxembourg and dedicated to applied empirical research in economic, social and spatial sciences. The Institute attracts top researchers from all over the world and high-level student training is a vibrant part of the Institute’s activities. LISER staff consists of approx. 200 employees, about 60% of the staff being researchers; mainly from the fields of economics, geography and sociology. The vision of the institute is to be a socio-economic research institute internationally recognised, focused on scientific excellence and societal impact, able to contribute through multi-disciplinary and intersectoral research, in an active and inclusive way to a sustainable and inclusive society at national and international level. 

The institute is located on the new Belval campus in the south of Luxembourg (Cité des Sciences, Luxembourg), which hosts the University of Luxembourg and a substantial part of the country’s publicly funded research facilities, i.e. LISER, the Luxembourg Income Study (LIS) cross-national data centre, the Luxembourg institutes of Health (LIH) and of Science and Technology (LIST). Information on research in Luxembourg is accessible via the national EURAXESS platform. 

LISER is an Equal Opportunity Employer