Research Support Technician (2026PILIFRUA68)

Offer Description

Communications and Engagement Manager for the European Research Council (ERC) – Synergy project "Land and life in the Anthropocene: Landscape reform (LAND) – EA621838".

The aim of the project is to elaborate new approaches to ‘more‑than‑human landscape reform’ to meet Anthropocene challenges focusing on climate, biodiversity, food and infrastructure, and their interconnections, making use of the 4Ps framework.

Project summary: How can we learn to live on earth in new ways? This is the challenge of the Anthropocene. We propose a novel 4Ps framework to investigate land–life dynamics, which, for the first time, will connect perspectives on human–nonhuman relations (Partners), property‑making (Property), land regimes (Profit) and land–climate systems (Planet). We will draw on critical perspectives from both environmental humanities and agrarian studies, bringing together diverse traditions from human–nonhuman anthropology, geography, political ecology and economy, ecological economics and complex systems thinking in a unique interdisciplinary synthesis. Connecting land and life, this project will address four Anthropocene challenges – climate, biodiversity, food and infrastructure/investment – through four exemplar landscape cases in the Colombian Amazon, southern African savannas, Spanish Mediterranean plains and coastal Southeast Asia. The core team (Jun Borras, Esteve Corbera, Ian Scoones and Anna Tsing) bring a range of expertise and experience that, together with seven postdoctoral and eight PhD researchers, can form the foundation for radically rethinking how we conceptualise land–life relations in the Anthropocene. We have designed a collaborative project organization and process for working together that will promote synergistic conceptual and methodological breakthroughs, while building the capacity of researchers to engage with Anthropocene challenges through a novel framework. Engaging with policymakers, social movements and local communities, our public action work will in turn lead to practical approaches to ‘landscape reform’, where new ways of living in the Anthropocene are imagined and elaborated.

Responsibilities

• Provide support to the PIs in the design and implementation of the communication and dissemination strategy of the ERC Synergy project, in accordance with ERC and Horizon Europe requirements.
• Support the creation, management, and continuous updating of the LAND project website.
• Provide support in coordinating and producing content for the project’s online presence, including website updates, social media channels, newsletters, and other digital platforms.
• Provide support to the researchers in adapting and translating complex scientific outputs into accessible communication materials for diverse audiences (e.g., policy‑makers, stakeholders, general public).
• Support researchers in the preparation of dissemination materials, including scientific article, policy briefs, visual abstracts, press releases, art and science projects, and other outreach materials.
• Support the researchers in the organization of public engagement activities, including workshops, conferences, exhibitions, seminars, and public talks.
• Provide liaison support with the communication offices and teams of the four universities involved in the project, with media outlets, and with external partners to enhance the project’s impact and outreach.
• Contribute to the preparation of communication‑related sections of scientific and technical reports required by the ERC.
• Support the monitoring, documentation, and evaluation of communication, dissemination and engagement activities and their impact.
• Provide requested training to the four PIs in communication and dissemination technologies and approaches.
• Collaborate to ensure compliance with ethics, data protection, confidentiality, and intellectual property rules in all communication actions.
• Provide support to ensure visibility of ERC funding and compliance with European Commission communication and branding guidelines.
• Provide support to research activities, particularly in coordination and project organization.
• Assist in planning, organizing, and following up on project meetings.
• Participate in meetings and produce communication outputs.

Qualifications

• Academic degree: Undergraduate, Bachelor Degree or equivalent, Master Degree or equivalent.
• Languages: English (Level Good), Catalan (Level Good), Spanish (Level Good).

Eligibility Criteria

• Academic degree (20 points): Advanced national vocational qualifications (FP2), intermediate level specific vocational training (CFGM), upper secondary education (Baccalaureate) or the equivalent qualifications (5); General degree (15); Postgraduate or master’s (5).
• Languages (10 points): High level of English command C1 (5), B2 (3), B1 (2); Spanish C2 (2.5); Catalan C1 (2.5).
• Professional experience based on CV (40 points).
• English‑written motivation letter engaging with the substance of the LAND project, maximum 2 pages, single‑space (30 points).

Minimum score required to pass the selection process: 60.

Selection Process

A first stage based on application documents and, if necessary, a second interview phase for the three candidates with the highest score, unless, in application of the agreement of 1st of February 2019, the court proposes other actions, tests and / or interviews to be carried out.

Expected starting date no later than October 1st 2026.

Reference Offer: 2026PILIFRUA68

Programmes: ERC Synergy Grant / 101224056

32.426,88 € added to the Plus Campus corresponding amount and other salary supplements that may correspond, in 12 instalments.