Communication & Knowledge Transfer Manager

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

This position is funded by the Grant «Excelencia María de Maeztu» CEX2025-001632-M funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033.

The UPF Department of Political and Social Sciences (DPSS) has been officially recognized as a "María de Maeztu" Unit of Excellence with the Strategic Program on Equity, Diversity and Democracy (SPEDD) project. This grant is designed to strengthen scientific organization, foster synergies between different UPF research groups, consolidate capacities, promote new lines of research, attract talent, improve international competitiveness and knowledge transfer mechanisms, and promote the training of a new generation of researchers.

In order to support SPEDD’s broader mission of social impact, research visibility and outreach efforts, DPSS is hiring a full-time Communication & Knowledge Transfer Manager.

Key Responsibilities

1. Design and implement a Strategic Plan for DPSS’s improved global visibility, research impact and public engagement, aligned with SPEDD’s general goal of positioning DPSS as an internationally recognized hub for evidence-based public debate and strategic collaboration.
2. As part of the above-mentioned plan, and in collaboration with the SPEDD team, develop a strategic Science-for-Policy Roadmap focusing on translating research findings into actionable policy recommendations on issues related to democracy, equity, and diversity, including innovative approaches to knowledge transfer and co-production.
3. Strengthen communication efforts as well as partnerships with key local, national and international stakeholders, academic and policy networks, civil society organizations, the media, think tanks, and the broader public.
4. Create and coordinate a dissemination blog with publications and activities produced or generated under the SPEDD framework.
5. Maintain SPEDD’s institutional website, and promote, plan and coordinate strategic activities aimed at improving DPSS’s social media presence, in coordination with UPF’s Communication Office.
6. Promote and coordinate actions to disseminate research outputs and coordinate and supervise the production of audiovisual content linked to SPEDD’s actions, potentially in coordination with an externally-contracted agency/company.
7. Guide DPSS’s researchers in effective communication, knowledge-sharing, sustainability tool integration, and public engagement strategies.
8. Ensure compliance with Open Science principles (data management plans, repositories, FAIR principles) are met in coordination with the UPF Library.
9. Support the smooth implementation of the project, and identify supplementary resources and funding opportunities to maintain and expand SPEDDs’ objectives over time.

Conditions

1. Full-time position (35 hrs/week).
2. 4-year contract, aligned with the duration of the Strategic Programme (1 July 2026 – 30 June 2030). Possibility of renewal based on performance and availability of funds.
3. Starting date: Mid-November 2026.
4. Salary: 36.689 Euros gross/year.
5. Workplace: Department of Political and Social Sciences, UPF, Ciutadella Campus, Barcelona.
6. Schedule: split shift.
7. Mode: on-site (with possibility of hybrid work arrangements for 15 hours/week at most).

Eligibility Requirements

Only applications from candidates fulfilling all of the following requirements will be evaluated:

1. Academic training: At least a Bachelor’s degree in communication, journalism, media studies, Marketing, Digital Media, or social sciences (political science, sociology, public policy, science management, or related disciplines).
2. Languages: advanced knowledge of English; advanced knowledge of Catalan or Spanish (one of the two). To be accredited if the candidate is not a native speaker.
3. Handling of Social Media and knowledge of video and audio editing.
4. Availability to start no later than November 2026.

Recruitment Process

Total points: 20

• Phase 1 — Evaluation of application documents: up to 15 points.
• Phase 2 — Personal interview: up to 5 points.
• The candidates who pass Phase 1 will be invited to an interview, provided they have scored at least 13 points in Phase 1

Selection criteria (Phase 1 — up to 15 points)

Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Academic training and disciplinary fit with the project (up to 5 points): Relevance of the candidate's academic background to the requirements of the role and thematic scope of SPEDD.
• Professional experience and fit with the position (up to 5 points):
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to clearly communicate complex research to different audiences.
  • Familiarity with Science-for-Policy and evidence-informed policymaking and experience designing and implementing knowledge-transfer and research-impact strategies.
  • Strong stakeholder-management and networking skills.
  • Experience developing communication strategies across multiple channels, including websites, newsletters, blogs, social media, policy briefs, events, audiovisual content, and media engagement.
  • Experience in public engagement and science communication, preferably in a university, research institution, think tank, NGO, or policy environment.
• Other merits (up to 5 points): Additional relevant skills and experience, including but not limited to: language proficiency, technical skills, knowledge of university administrative procedures, experience with open science and data management, science communication and stakeholder engagement, and publications or other outputs related to research management.

Phase 2 — Personal interview (up to 5 points)

The highest-ranked candidates with at least 13 points in Phase 1 will be invited to a personal interview (in person or online). The interview will assess:

• Communication and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of communication strategies for science dissemination and specific requirements of a María de Maeztu unit.
• Capacity to coordinate diverse stakeholders and to work autonomously.
• Strategic vision for the communication and outreach strategy of the unit's first year of activity.

Selection Committee

• Chairperson: Mariano Torcal, IP / Scientific Director SPEDD.
  • Alternate Chairperson: Veronica Benet, guarantor.
• Secretary: Ainara Huarte, Project Manager, SPEDD.
  • Alternate secretary: Esther Celma, Head of Administrative Unit.
• Member: Ricard Clarà, UPF communication Office Team, head of Campus Ciutadella.
  • Alternate member: Marina Carré Molina, Pre-doctoral Researcher.

Application

Publication date: 02/10/2026

Deadline to submit applications: 16/10/2026

To apply for this position, candidates have to send their documents through Interfolio using the following link: https://apply.interfolio.com/194916

1. Curriculum vitae (“CV_Lastname, Name.pdf”)
2. Cover letter (at most 1 page) explaining the reasons why the candidate is interested in this position and describing the candidate’s expertise and experience related to the requirements of this position (“Letter_Lastname, Name.pdf”)
3. Name and contact details of 2 academic/professional referees
4. Copy of degree level (“Degree_Lastname, Name.pdf”)
5. A copy of ID card or passport

More Information

Contact: mdm_cpis@upf.edu

Information about the call and selection process: https://www.upf.edu/web/politiques/inicio/-/asset_publisher/fZjeFt1Yyu1I/content/1_ref-call-cpis-psr-2026-22-full-time-communication-knowledge-transfer-manager-of-the-maria-de-maeztu-unit-of-excellence-within-the-department-of-political-and-social-sciences-at-universitat-pompeu-fabra-upf-/maximized

Where to apply

Website: https://apply.interfolio.com/194916

Requirements

• Research Field: Communication sciences
• Education Level: Bachelor Degree or equivalent
• Languages: ENGLISH
• Level: Excellent

Work Location(s)

• Number of offers available: 1
• Company/Institute: University Pompeu Fabra
• Country: Spain
• City: Barcelona
• Street: Ramon Trias Fargas