Offer Description
Cima Universidad de Navarra is a biomedical research institute of the University of Navarra, located in Pamplona, Spain. Cima's research in cellular and molecular biology, disease models and innovative technologies has a deep translational patient orientation and aims to address unmet medical needs.
Job description
The Director of Scientific Management is a senior scientific leader whose mission is to maximize the quality, competitiveness, and impact of Cima's research activity as a Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence. The role acts as both a strategic and operational partner to the Scientific Director and research teams, helping transform scientific ideas and capabilities into robust projects, high-value collaborations, and measurable outcomes.
This is a cross-functional position focused on scientific excellence and effective execution. Its distinctive value lies in combining scientific judgment, in-depth knowledge of the research funding landscape, critical review capabilities, institutional diplomacy, and a practical, results-oriented approach.
Success in this role will be measured by the overall improvement of the Centre's scientific performance: stronger grant proposals, better prioritization of opportunities, more effective project monitoring, and increased institutional impact.
Location: Pamplona, Spain (on-site)
Position Overview
Reports to: Scientific Director, Cima
Nature of the role: A strategic and operational scientific position with cross-functional authority based on expertise, service, and influence rather than formal line management of research groups.
Primary strategic horizon: Implementation of the Severo Ochoa Strategic Plan 2026–2029 and consolidation of Cima as a leading translational biomedical research centre.
Expected outcomes
- Enhance the quality of the Centre's scientific portfolio.
- Strengthen competitive research funding.
- Foster high-impact scientific collaborations.
- Ensure systematic monitoring of strategic objectives and key performance indicators.
Key Responsibilities
- Drive the development of competitive scientific research projects.
- Strengthen European positioning and competitive intelligence.
- Lead scientific evaluation, KPI monitoring, and reporting.
- Manage the Centre's scientific project portfolio.
- Promote scientific collaborations and consortium development.
- Stimulate scientific activity across the organisation.
- Foster integration with innovation, technology transfer, and clinical impact initiatives.
- Provide executive support to the Scientific Director.
- Progressively establish and develop the Scientific Management function.
Requirements
Scientific Profile and Required Experience
Academic Qualifications
- PhD in Biomedical Sciences, Biology, Biochemistry, Medicine, Pharmacy, Biotechnology, Bioengineering, or a related discipline.
Professional Experience
- Proven research track record in academic, clinical, translational, international, or industrial environments.
- Hands-on experience in the preparation, review, coordination, or evaluation of national and international competitive research proposals.
- Practical knowledge of the European research funding ecosystem and the full lifecycle of competitive grant applications.
- Experience working in multidisciplinary environments involving basic research, core facilities, clinical research, technology transfer, and industry.
- Experience in oncology, immunotherapy, advanced therapies, rare diseases, RNA medicine, or clinical/translational research will be considered a strong asset.
- Previous participation in scientific evaluation processes, advisory committees, Scientific Advisory Boards, Severo Ochoa or María de Maeztu Centres of Excellence, or international benchmarking initiatives will be highly valued.
Languages
- Advanced professional proficiency in spoken and written English, with outstanding scientific and strategic writing skills.
Core Competencies
- Scientific Judgment: Ability to understand complex scientific concepts, identify weaknesses, and increase the ambition and quality of research proposals.
- European Funding Expertise: Strong understanding of European funding instruments, strategic priorities, evaluation criteria, and consortium dynamics.
- Strategic Thinking: Ability to prioritize opportunities based on scientific impact, feasibility, project maturity, available resources, and institutional alignment.
- Scientific Communication: Ability to translate scientific ideas into clear, compelling, fundable, and evaluable narratives.
- Execution: Strong delivery mindset with the ability to meet deadlines and convert analysis into concrete actions.
- Influence without Formal Authority: Ability to engage senior researchers, clinicians, core facilities, and support units through credibility and collaboration rather than hierarchical authority.
- Rigour and Diplomacy: Ability to provide constructive, demanding, and actionable feedback while maintaining positive working relationships and minimizing unnecessary friction.
- Service Orientation: Committed to enabling the success of others and measuring personal achievement through the overall performance and impact of the Centre.
Expected Working Style
- Maintain close and trusted relationships with researchers while respecting their scientific leadership.
- Demonstrate a practical, results-oriented approach with low tolerance for unnecessary bureaucracy.
- Exhibit autonomy, accountability, discretion, and strong institutional awareness.
- Combine analytical rigour with operational agility and constructive communication.
- Show intellectual humility, institutional ambition, and consistent reliability in delivering commitments.
Interested candidates should submit their CVs to the following email address: [contact details available in the full listing].
This position forms part of the talent attraction initiatives outlined in our Strategic Research Plan and is funded through the Severo Ochoa Centres of Excellence Programme (CEX[contact details available in the full listing]-S). The aim of this initiative is to strengthen the Centre’s capabilities and further consolidate its international scientific leadership.
We are committed to attracting, developing and retaining talented individuals who wish to contribute to the advancement of knowledge and to the service of society. We believe that research excellence is enriched by the diversity of experiences, perspectives, and personal and professional backgrounds. We therefore encourage applications from all qualified candidates who share our commitment to scientific excellence, the pursuit of knowledge, and the generation of societal impact.
