The Institute of Virology, Medical University Innsbruck, Austria, is recruiting a project manager on a 4.5-year position to manage an ERC-EDCTP funded research consortium with partners in Kenya (KEMRI), Tanzania (Ifakara Health Institute), Switzerland (EPFL), Sweden (Karolinska Institute), and Spain (ICSIII). The candidate should hold a Ph.D. and have excellent organizational and communication skills to assist the project coordinator, organize consortia meetings, arrange shipments between partner institutes, prepare and submit reports to the EU and communicate with each partners’ administration. Earliest starting date is April 1st, 2026.

Project Topic

The project is part of the Horizon Europe EDCTP action geared towards preventing poverty-related infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa. The specific project is embedded in an international and interdisciplinary consortium of clinicians, virologists, immunologists and biophysicists with the Institute of Virology as lead coordinator. The aim of the project is to characterize chikungunya virus vaccine responses in African vaccinee cohorts. We focus on vulnerable populations, i.e. HIV positive individuals. To assist with organizational tasks, we seek a highly motivated individual with strong communication skills.

Your Role

You will be responsible for organizational tasks as detailed below and will report directly to the consortium coordinator Prof. Dr. Gisa Gerold. You will be based at the Institute of Virology Innsbruck and closely interact with the administration of the Medical University Innsbruck as well as the EU office and the partner institutions in Africa and Europe. You will plan and organize consortia meetings and communicate with international organizations. The position is available for 4.5 years with up to 40 h per week, starting April 1st,2026.

Responsibilities

• Organize online consortia meetings (scheduling, drafting agenda, meeting minutes)
• Organize GENA and management meetings (s.a.)
• Plan and organize annual in-person consortia meetings together with local organizers
• Liaison between all partners for internal consortium communications and follow up actions
• File financial reports to the EU ensuring partners fill in their financial reports on time and helping them solve any inquiries from the EU
• Assemble scientific reports together with a scientific manager
• Organize reagent shipments between partner institutions import permits
• Manage social media accounts of the consortium

Selection Criteria

Essential

• Ph.D. degree
• Excellent written and oral English communication skills
• Basic knowledge of German language
• Intercultural skills
• Ability to work on several tasks with short response times
• Ability to plan meetings, write reports and collect information from consortium members
• Skill to communicate with stakeholders
• Ability to adhere to deadlines, communicate those to all partners and ensure all meet deadlines
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to deliver results to required standard and schedule and to organize and prioritize own work with minimal supervision

Desirable

• Enjoy working with scientists from different fields and cultural backgrounds
• Previous experience with coordination of large research consortia, ideally involving partners from different countries
• Experience with reporting of EU projects

Work Environment

We are a diverse and international team based at the Institute of Virology Innsbruck (IVI). At the institute, we perform virological research, clinical diagnostics, and teaching tasks. Within the ERC-EDCTP funded project we are highly committed to foster and maintain strong research ties with African institutions and build sustainable international networks. We offer a stimulating and collaborative work environment, in which your career development is fostered.

Position Summary

Full-time 4.5 years with full salary up to 40 h per week. A salary based on group B1/03 (of the collective contract (`Universitätskollektivvertrag´) for Austrian university employees for 100% / 40h per week.