Senior Public Affairs Officer (f/m/d)

Job title: Senior Public Affairs Officer (f/m/d)

Job location: The Central Executive Management Office of BBMRI-ERIC in Graz, Austria or remote work; preferably on site in Graz, remote is a possibility depending on experience and seniority

Job purpose: With your experience and drive as Senior Public Affairs Officer, you will be a core member of the Department of Public Affairs, collaborating with Member States, the ERIC community, European Commission, and other key stakeholders of one of the largest European Research Infrastructures in Health and Life Science.

Contract: Full time (40 hours/week)

Who we are:

BBMRI-ERIC is the European Research Infrastructure for biobanking and biomolecular resources established in 2013 under EU legislation. BBMRI-ERIC enables the development of innovative technology and processes as a cross-domain network that facilitates responsible access to high quality samples, data and biomolecular resources. We achieve this through multidisciplinary expertise and service provision, scientific excellence, knowledge exchange and partnerships in health and life sciences. BBMRI-ERIC’s vision is simplified as: “Biobanking for a Healthier World”. Its headquarters are in Graz, Austria.

BBMRI‐ERIC is an inclusive, equal‐opportunity employer offering attractive conditions and benefits appropriate to an international research organisation. Further information on the vision, mission, governance, and statutes of BBMRI‐ERIC can be found at www.bbmri-eric.eu.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work with representatives of BBMRI-ERIC Member States, Observer countries and those countries that may join the infrastructure in the future, in Europe and beyond;
• Develop and implement activities that support the implementation of BBMRI-ERIC’s 10-Year Roadmap (e.g. one health, stakeholder engagement, global impact);
• Work and when needed lead on different EU projects with focus on topics in the remit of Public Affairs and represent BBBMRI-ERIC on the European level as needed;
• Engage with external stakeholders such as EC, ESFRI, EOSC Association, other RIs;
• Work closely with the BBMRI-ERIC central and scientific services, in particular on collection of information and data relevant to Member States;
• Contribute to other tasks in Public Affairs, as required.

In this role your required qualifications and skills are:

• Master’s in International Relations/European Affairs and adequate experience in government/public affairs in the field of science and/or research infrastructures;
• A minimum of 5-7 years of professional experience in Public Affairs, including working with governments and EU institutions and/or research environment;
• Ability to work on cross-cutting issues;
• Strong coordination and organisation skills, as well as the ability to deliver on deadlines;
• Team-oriented mindset with the capability to work independently and collaboratively under pressure;
• Evidence of leadership in successful EU projects (at least on the level of work package lead) is an advantage;
• Good understanding of the EU-landscape of EU Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) is an advantage;
• Professional fluency in English (oral and written), as English is the official working language of BBMRI-ERIC;
• Ability to deal with challenges in a diplomatic manner;
• Strong presentation skills;
• Readiness for moderate travel.

Employment terms and conditions

As we aim to provide a diverse work environment, the work can be performed at the headquarters in Graz with occasional telework options or remotely.

The employment follows the Austrian employment law.

What we offer

A minimum annual gross salary of €65,000.00 (based on 40hours/week) will be offered, aligned with European and international standards for comparable roles and responsibilities. The final salary will be determined based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.

A unique opportunity to work at the center of a European‑level organisation, the role carries significant responsibility and visibility, all within an international, diverse, and intellectually stimulating environment that supports professional development and insight into European-level cooperation.

Balance your free time and your working life independently according to your own ideas: With our flexible working hours, you decide when you work outside our core working hours and you can also take advantage of occasional telework.

A multifaceted, challenging range of tasks with responsibility in a co-operative working environment with flat hierarchies and short decision-making paths, characterise your day-to-day work. Becoming part of BBMRI-ERIC enables interdisciplinary and cross-professional opportunities for collaboration across Europe and beyond.

In addition to the diversity of the various scientific disciplines, we offer a working culture in which diversity is lived and highly valued.

We secure your future: with our comprehensive fringe benefits like complementary health insurance (in addition to public insurance, ÖGK), and a private pension scheme for employments in Austria we take care of your well-being.

Located on the 6th floor of a modern building at the Medical University campus, our comfortable office sits in Graz’s biomedical community and provides an English‑speaking work environment with great networking opportunities.

When you’re not teleworking, convenient tram and bus connections make commuting easy, and a variety of restaurants, bakeries, and grocery stores are within walking distance.

To learn more about working at BBMRI-ERIC, visit www.bbmri-eric.eu/careers.

Equal opportunities  

BBMRI-ERIC is committed to providing equal opportunities to all qualified candidates, regardless of their personal characteristics.

Application procedure

For applications to be considered, candidates must submit for their application via our online portal BambooHR:

• A Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• A letter of motivation in which you introduce yourself and your application motivation
• Supporting documents (copies of University degrees, references, list of publications and project involvements etc.)

Application deadline is the 1st of July 2026; anticipated start of work is 1 September.

In case of any questions, please contact: Ulrike Rohrer, HR Specialist (ulrike.rohrer@bbmri-eric.eu)