Public Affairs Officer (f/m/d)

Job title: 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:
You will be a member of Public Affairs, working with Member States, ERIC Forum community and other key stakeholders, such as EOSC Association, of one of the largest European Research Infrastructures in Health and Life Science.

Contract: We offer a 2-year contract with the possibility of extension/permanent contract.

Who we are:

BBMRI-ERIC is the European research infrastructure for biobanking and biomolecular resources. As one of the largest European Research Infrastructures in Life Science with 24 Member States plus IARC/WHO, we bring together all the main players from the biobanking and biomolecular resources field – researchers, biobankers, industry, and patients – to boost biomedical and Life Science research. To that end, we offer quality management services, support with ethical, legal and societal issues, a number of online tools and software solutions and biobanking development. Ultimately, our goal is to enable personalised medicine to the fullest. This is part of the “One Health” paradigm which is the overarching theme of BBMRI-ERIC’s 10-Year Roadmap 2025-2035.

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.

What makes the job special?

• 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;


• Work with the ERIC Forum community in the context of the ERIC Forum implementation project, support the Executive Board of ERIC Forum, and support the overall coordination of the project, including conceptualizing and organizing general ERIC Forum meetings;


• Engage with external stakeholders, in particular with the EC, EOSC Association and other Research Infrastructures;


• Work closely with the BBMRI-ERIC central and scientific services, in particular on collection of information and data relevant to Member States and our external partners;


• Contribute to other tasks in Public Affairs, including supporting with minutes taking and organisation of meetings, as required.

In this role your required qualifications and skills are:

• Master in International Relations or European Affairs, or adequate experience in government/public affairs in the field of science and/or research infrastructures;


• At least 3-5 years of relevant work experience, including working with governments and EU institutions and/or research environment;


• Ability to work on cross-cutting issues and deal with challenges in a diplomatic manner;


• Very good organization skills, as well as the ability to deliver on deadlines;


• Team player;


• Experience in dealing with EU projects, particularly in Horizon Europe, is an advantage;


• Good understanding of the EU-landscape of EU Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) and the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) is an advantage;


• Excellent communication in English (oral and written), as English is the official working language of BBMRI-ERIC; knowledge of other languages is an advantage;


• 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 home office options or remotely.

The employment follows the Austrian employment law.

What we offer

€ 52,000.00 as minimum annual gross salary, based on 40 hours/week, (European/international standards for similar roles and responsibilities and requirements considered); final salary dependent on terms of qualifications and experience.

Beside the monetary aspect, 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 working from home.

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. Being part of the BBMRI-ERIC opens up interdisciplinary and cross-professional opportunities for collaboration.

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 we take care of your well-being.

Our comfortable office in the heart of Graz’s biomedical community offers an English-speaking work environment with international projects and plenty of networking opportunities.

When you're not working from home, you'll find yourself on the 6th floor in a modern building on the Medical University campus, a bustling area of Graz with excellent public transportation (tram and bus connections). A number of restaurants, bakeries and grocery stores serve the hungry medical professionals, researchers and staff in the area.

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 (for example: certified copies of High School and University degrees, references, etc.)

Application deadline is the 12th of May 2025; anticipated start of work is as soon as possible. 

In case of any questions, please contact: Ulrike Rohrer, HR Specialist ([email protected])