Temporary position OT-29191
EU Project & Strategy Manager in Biotechnology
11100 NARBONNE
INRAE presentation
The French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment (INRAE) is a major player in research and innovation. It is a community of 12,000 people with 272 research, experimental research, and support units located in 18 regional centres throughout France. Internationally, INRAE is among the top research organisations in the agricultural and food sciences, plant and animal sciences, as well as in ecology and environmental science. It is the world’s leading research organisation specialising in agriculture, food and the environment. INRAE’s goal is to be a key player in the transitions necessary to address major global challenges. Faced with a growing world population, climate change, resource scarcity, and declining biodiversity, the Institute has a major role to play in building solutions and supporting the necessary acceleration of agricultural, food and environmental transitions.
Work environment, missions and activities
About INRAE-LBE
The Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology (LBE) at INRAE is a world-leading research institute dedicated to innovative environmental technologies. We focus on developing sustainable solutions to address pressing global environmental challenges. Our interdisciplinary team of scientists and engineers works collaboratively to advance the field of environmental biotechnology, with a particular emphasis on resource recovery, wastewater treatment, and bioenergy production.
https://narbonne.montpellier.hub.inrae.fr/
About IBISBA
IBISBA is a pan-European distributed research infrastructure dedicated to industrial biotechnology. We federate European expertise to provide researchers from academia and industry across the globe with integrated services for all stages of bioprocess development projects
Position offer: EU Project & Strategy Manager in Biotechnology
This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing in Europe.
We wish to hire an experienced, highly motivated EU Project & Strategy Manager to support the implementation of a Horizon Europe Coordination and Support Action (CSA) dedicated to developing a shared European vision and strategic roadmap for biotechnology and biomanufacturing. This role combines two complementary dimensions:
- Project management and coordination of a large European consortium involving leading research, industry, policy, and innovation stakeholders.
- Strategic analysis and foresight, contributing to the development of a shared European vision and strategic roadmap for biotechnology and biomanufacturing.
The successful applicant will play a dual role as project manager and lead strategic analyst, helping to shape future European priorities in research, innovation, investment, and policy.
Key Responsibilities
I. Project Management and Consortium Coordination
- Coordinate the day-to-day implementation of the Horizon Europe project.
- Monitor project progress, milestones, deliverables, timelines, and key performance indicators.
- Organize and facilitate consortium meetings, steering committees, workshops, and stakeholder events.
- Coordinate contributions from project partners and ensure timely delivery of project outputs.
- Prepare technical and management reports for the European Commission.
- Maintain effective communication with project partners, advisory boards, and European institutions.
- Ensure compliance with Horizon Europe contractual and reporting requirements.
II. Strategic Analysis, Foresight and Roadmapping
The selected candidate will contribute directly to the project's strategic Work Package aimed at defining a future European roadmap for biotechnology and biomanufacturing. Responsibilities include:
- Prepare an assessment of the current state of the European biotechnology and biomanufacturing sectors.
- Lead work on the development of forward-looking scenarios to inform strategic decision-making.
- Design and perform interviews with stakeholders from industry, academia, public authorities, investors, and civil society.
- Lead the preparation of strategic reports, policy briefs, consultation summaries, and recommendations.
Training and skills
Education
Master's degree or PhD in biotechnology, life sciences, bioeconomy, engineering, innovation management, public policy, European studies, or a related field.
Experience
Experience in managing European collaborative projects, and skills related to strategic foresight analysis and technology roadmapping. Preferably, you have prior knowledge of the biotechnology sector.
Skills
- Excellent project management and organizational skills.
- Strong analytical and synthesis capabilities.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
- Ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholder groups.
- Familiarity with European research and innovation policies and funding programmes.
- Ability to work independently, while managing multiple priorities.
- Soft Skills
- Excellent ability to establish and sustain relations
- Ability to work remotely with members of a distributed team
- A high degree of self-motivation.
INRAE's life quality
What this employment opportunity offers you
- A unique opportunity to contribute to shaping the future of biotechnology and biomanufacturing in Europe.
- A key role in a high-visibility Horizon Europe project involving leading European stakeholders.
- An international and collaborative working environment.
- The opportunity to influence strategic discussions at the intersection of science, innovation, industry, and policy.
- The chance to work with an emerging European research infrastructure (IBISBA) operating in the biotechnology space
- An excellent work atmosphere. We pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and supportive atmosphere where researchers and interns work together in a dynamic and friendly environment.
- Attractive work package including 30 days of holidays per year (+ 15 days RTT); subsidized lunches in enterprise restaurant; flexible working hours; access to on-site sports facilities; sunny weather.
- Salary (gross): 3200€ -4,000 €/month (depending on your experience).
How to apply
Applicants are invited to submit the following documents to diana.garcia-bernet@inrae.fr by June 30th, 2026:
- A detailed CV
- A cover letter outlining your motivation and suitability for the position.
We look forward to receiving your applications and welcoming you to our team at INRAE-LBE, where your work will help shape the future of Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing in Europe.
All persons employed by or hosted at INRAE, a public research establishment, are subject to the Civil Service Code, particularly with regard to the obligation of neutrality and respect for the principle of secularism. In carrying out their functions, whether or not they are in contact with the public, they must not express their religious, philosophical or political convictions through their behaviour or by what they wear. > Find out more: fonction publique.gouv.fr website (in French)