Job opportunities

Location: FRB – CESAB, 5, rue de l’École de Médecine, 34000 Montpellier, France
Duration: 29 months fixed term, full time
Salary: 2743 – 2974€ gross per month according to the FRB salary scale, commensurate with
experience, plus benefits (including social insurance).
Starting date: January 1st 2026
Application closing date: September 15th 2025 (12:00 PM CET)

Job description:

 

• Context and host structures

The Knowledge-Hub (KH) EVOLUTION is part of a large French Priority Exploratory Research Program entitled SOLU-BIOD (Biodiversity and Nature-based Solutions) emanating from France 2030. SOLU-BIOD is managed by the CNRS and INRAE, and structured around several programs. One of these programs is devoted to KHs (including EVOLUTION), managed by the University of Montpellier over the 2025-2029 period with KHs being hosted at FRB-CESAB. As part of the partnership with SOLU-BIOD, the post-doctoral researcher is recruited by the FRB and housed at the FRB-Cesab in Montpellier.
The Foundation for research on biodiversity (FRB) gathers public research institutions, environmental NGOs, land and genetic resources managers and the private sector. It provides a forum where science meets society in order to address the current challenges related to biodiversity research.
The Centre for Synthesis and Analysis of Biodiversity (CESAB) is FRB’s main program and a leading research organization in Europe, with an international reputation. Its aim is to implement the innovative work of synthesis and analysis of existing data in the field of biodiversity. Advancing knowledge, developing culture and collaboration, facilitating links between scientific disciplines and with the stakeholders, are the main objectives of FRB-CESAB, which welcomes every year a large number of researchers from all continents.
 
 

• Project context and topics

Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are cost-effective solutions supported by Nature, tackling different societal challenges, such as climate change, while providing environmental, social and economic benefits and helping to build resilience. Diversity within species remains little considered in NbS approaches, therefore disregarding the evolutionary dimension of complex socio-ecosystems and their adaptive potential in response to rapid environmental changes. In order to fill this gap, a knowledge basis should be built, including all processes impacting intraspecific diversity and the evolutionary potential (InDEP) of the involved species.
In this context, the current project will focus on “translocation” broadly defined as the transfer of organisms (genes), from point A to point B, with the NbS being implemented in B. Translocation includes both non-intentional processes and all forms of assisted migration and gene flow enhancement. “Translocation” leads to series of questions with regard to NbS success, such as the type, source and fate of translocated intraspecific diversity (possibly including manipulated variation), the conditions of translocations, the impact on recipient socio-ecosystems, or how this diversity can be handled by managers.
The work will draw widely from the corpus of knowledge and methods build up in basic and applied evolutionary biology, including from the conceptual framework and procedures from conservation and restoration biology (considering or not InDEP). A general interdisciplinary approach will be developed, based on the idea of operationalizing intraspecific diversity in NbS. This means developing relevant indicators, procedures and modus operandi. The basis of the work will be a review of the literature, in order to build a systematic map and to retrieve relevant variables or indicators for a subsequent meta-analysis. This will contribute to building a general framework of the role and use of InDEP in NbS, serving to guide research priorities on a scientific basis, but also to identify new research avenues.
 
 

• Modus operandi and work to be done

The work will be carried out within the framework of the EVOLUTION Knowledge Hub (KH) – a KH is a working group similar to those in scientific synthesis centers (here FRB-CESAB). EVOLUTION is made up of 15 scientists from several countries with diverse backgrounds and expertise who will work for three years on the above topics, coordinated by the post-doctoral researcher (post-doc) recruited. The post-doc will work more closely with a core group of four to five people. The entire KH will meet in person 4 to 5 times (twice a year) for 3 to 4 days at CESAB, and regular remote meetings will also be organized.
 
In close collaboration with the KH members, the post-doc is expected to:

• Conduct research along the axes defined above;
• Coordinate progress and work of the KH members, and organize (scientifically) the KH meetings at FRB-CESAB as well as any other (virtual) meetings required;
• Conduct resource searches (websites, existing databases, etc.) to determine the extent of available resources;
• Conduct a systematic literature review and/or meta-analysis to produce a state-of-the-art analysis on translocations and an assessment of the conditions for the success or failure of these actions.

 
Importantly, the post-doc is also expected to:

• Develop a cross-sectoral approach so that results can be discussed and communicated to stakeholders, in particular natural area managers and decision-makers;
• Lead the dissemination of EVOLUTION results, including writing scientific articles and presenting results at international conferences.

 

Application instructions:

 

• A cover letter summarizing research interests and experience, particularly in relation to the topics covered by this position, and interest in the proposed post-doc;
• A curriculum vitae;
• The names and e-mail addresses of two or three referees (who can be contacted for candidates shortlisted for an interview).

 
Applications (one single pdf file) must be sent no later than 12:00 PM, Central European Time, September 15^th 2025 to Hanna Emlein (Univ. Montpellier, hanna.emlein@umontpellier.fr).
For more information, you can contact Frédérique Viard (ISEM, CNRS & Univ. Montpellier,  frederique.viard@umontpellier.fr) and Philippe Jarne (Cefe, CNRS,  philippe.jarne@cefe.cnrs.fr).
 
 

Find out more about the main tasks and activities on the profile,

skills and qualities required on the complete file to download below.

>>Download the complete file<<

Location: Biodiversa+ Secretariat, Fondation pour la Recherche sur la Biodiversité (FRB), 195 rue Saint Jacques, 75005 Paris, France.
Contract type: CDI (permanent contract), full time
Experience required: minimum 4 years of experience in a similar activity (including at least 2 years of experience in project management and team management, preferably in an international/European context)

Gross monthly salary: from 3 753€/month, negotiable according to FRB salary grid and experience
Benefits: public transport subscription covered up to 50%, lunch vouchers, partial home office possible (up to three days per week)
Starting date: as soon as possible

Contexte

 
Biodiversa+ is the European Partnership for Biodiversity, bringing together 83 partners from ministries and funding organisations in 41 countries (inside and outside Europe). With a total budget of 800 million euros over 7 years, it is one of the largest funding programmes for biodiversity in the world. The Partnership is run by the partners and supported by the Operational Team, which is a distributed secretariat with around 18 staff hosted by partners in France, Finland, Spain, Belgium and Sweden. The Operational Team is led by a team of three Operational Managers. We are now looking for a new Operational Manager to complete the management team.
 
 
About the Biodiversa+ partnership:
Biodiversa+ is a partnership of national and regional ministries in charge of research and innovation policy, research funding agencies and foundations, as well as ministries in charge of environmental policy and environmental protection agencies. The partnership is funded by the partners and co-funded by the European Commission (EC) under Horizon Europe. Among other things, it contributes to the production and dissemination of knowledge about biodiversity through various activities: – annual joint calls for research projects, – biodiversity monitoring activities and their harmonization at European level, – collaboration with other European and international initiatives/bodies (e.g. Network Nature, IPBES, GBIF, etc.), – activities to strengthen the links between science, policy and society, – communication and dissemination activities.
 
More information on Biodiversa+: www.biodiversa.eu  
 
 
About the FRB (host organisation):
The French Foundation for Biodiversity Research (FRB) is currently the coordinating entity of Biodiversa+ and hosting a large part of its Operational Team. The FRB was created in 2008 on the initiative of the ministries in charge of research and ecology, and eight public research institutions. They have since been joined by LVMH, Ineris, the University of Montpellier and the French Biodiversity Agency (OFB), bringing the number of founding members to 11. The Foundation’s mission is to support and act with research to increase and transfer knowledge about biodiversity. The FRB is a foundation for scientific cooperation under private law. It operates independently and has about 47 employees.
 
More information on FRB: www.fondationbiodiversite.fr
 

Main role and duties

 
You will oversee the overall management of Biodiversa+, in close cooperation with the two other Operational Managers (hosted at FRB and at the French National Research Agency, France (ANR), respectively) and three Co-chairs (from Germany, Sweden and The Netherlands). Each Operational Manager has their own area of responsibilities for the overall management of the Partnership (’Team development’, ‘Governance’, and ‘Administrative and Financial matters/Coordination’, respectively), and they oversee different work packages. You will have the following major responsibilities:
 

• Financial management:

 
> Managing, monitoring and adapting the budget of the Partnership, preparing and updating monitoring documents, drafting budget documents (e.g. budget amendment requests), conducting budget negotiations with partners, while ensuring that the decisions taken by the governance bodies and the rules of Horizon Europe are followed.
 
> Overseeing the work of the administrative and financial officers and executive assistant in providing technical support to the various partners to help them fulfil their administrative and financial obligations; answering partners’ questions related to administrative and budgetary issues.
 
> Acting as the official representative towards the European Commission.
 
> Following FRB invoices to ensure sound financial management together with the administrative and financial officer.
 
> Performing other financial tasks as required.
 
 

• Administrative & ethical management:

 
> Leading the administrative management of the Partnership, including monitoring and updating the membership list and key contracts (including the consortium agreement and grant agreement).
 
> Overseeing and ensuring timely reporting of finances and activities (collection and consolidation of reporting data) to the European Commission.
 
> Contributing to the preparation and submission of amendments to the European Commission, as required, as well as preparing the periodic reportings.
 
> Writing and submitting ethical deliverables and ensuring GDPR compliance of Biodiversa+, with the support of the ANR contact point for all data protection officers.
 
> Checking and leading the submission of milestones and deliverables on the EC portal.
 
> Supervise OT staff based at FRB.
 
 

• Management and coordination in collaboration with the Chairs Team:

 
> Supervising the officers of the Operational Team under relevant work packages, including the administrative and financial officers and executive assistant.
 
> Ensuring that the Operational Team is informed about administrative and financial procedures and at ease with such procedures.
 
> Establishing strong links with the Chairs Team and the two other Operational Managers is essential.
 
> Supporting the Chairs team in the overall strategy of Biodiversa+, which includes the financial strategy of the partnership.
 
> Contributing and attending the governance meetings of the partnership, i.e. Executive Board, General Assembly, Steering Committee, Chairs Team meetings, and where relevant, Advisory Board and Enlarged Stakeholder Board meetings.
 
> Attending and representing the partnership in events and meetings when needed.
 
 
You will be the official contact person towards the EC and project officers for the partnership based at REA (European Research Executive Agency) regarding the management of the project. In addition, you will be one of the official contact points between Biodiversa+ and the FRB. Therefore, you will be encouraged to participate in weekly FRB executive committee meetings and regular meetings with the FRB’s Head of European and International Cooperation Department to ensure smooth and strategic collaboration between the two entities.
 
You will be supervised by the Biodiversa+ Chairs Team and will benefit from professional development opportunities together with the two other Operational Managers.
 

Candidate requirement

 

Education and work experience:

 
Applicants’ education should correspond to one of the following:

• Master’s degree in social or political sciences/natural sciences/European project management.

 
Applicants’ work experience should correspond to one of the following:

• Minimum 2 years of professional experience in financial and administrative management of European projects in the field of environment, biodiversity, and/or science-policy interfacing,

or

• Minimum 4 years of experience in a similar activity, including at least 2 years of experience in financial project management and team management, preferably in an international/European context.

 
Skills and personal qualities:

• Demonstrable project management experience (organization and planning, administrative and financial coordination) is essential.
• Strong experience in budget management is essential. Mastery of administrative and financial monitoring and reporting tools (at least good command of Excel, Word and PowerPoint) is essential.
• Knowledge of the functioning of the European Commission and its instruments, as well as Horizon Europe funding programmes is essential.
• Experience of drafting and follow-up of agreements with various stakeholders is appreciated.
• Legal knowledge (especially about GDPR) is a plus.
• Strong team management skills, capacity to ensure team cohesion and engagement.
• Organisational skills and self-managing (ability to define priorities for oneself and others).
• Team-spirit and ability to work in a multicultural and multi-actor context.
• Capacity to evolve in a complex governance system and respect the governance framework.
• Multi-tasking.
• Strategic, solution-oriented thinking.
• Ability to synthetise and analyse.
• Strong writing skills in English, attention to detail.
• Flexibility and goal-orientation.
• Excellent communication skills in English.

 
 
Language requirements:

• High proficiency in English (reading, writing, speaking). This work position is in English.
• Fluency in French (French working environment at FRB).

 
 
Other requirements:

• You must be eligible to work in France (support for work permits is not provided). Applications will not be considered if submitted by people non-eligible to work in France.
• This position falls under the French labour law, the official employer being the French Foundation for Biodiversity Research, on behalf of the Biodiversa+ Partnership.
• You may be called upon to take part in other tasks required by the FRB from time to time.

How to apply

 
Send a CV and a motivation letter (in which you indicate your earliest starting date) in English to Anna Sandor: anna.sandor@fondationbiodiversite.fr
Applications will be considered on an ongoing basis until 7 September 2025.
 
 
Important:

• Please indicate in subject of your email: Application for Biodiversa+ Coordinating Operational Manager Admin&Finance.
• Please send one single PDF file with your cover letter first, followed by the CV, indicating your earliest availability and salary expectations.
• Please name your file as follows: “FAMILY NAME_First name_COM2025”.

 
More information: http://www.fondationbiodiversite.fr/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2025-08_Operational-manager_AdminFi-EN.pdf