Type of contract: Member of the European Commission’s contract staff, Function Group IV (article 3b of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants)

Duration of contract: 36 months (renewable up to maximum 6 years)

Area: Analysis and Intelligence. Innovation and creativity. Foresight

Place of employment: Brussels (BE)

Indicative basic salary: 4.319,72 – 6.256,88 € (applicable as of 1st of April 2025). For more detailed information please consult: Working Conditions

WE ARE

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) provides independent, evidence-based knowledge and science, supporting EU policies to positively impact society.

The current vacancy is in Unit EU Policy Lab: Foresight, Design and Behavioural Insights. The Unit is based in Brussels, and it is part of the Directorate for Innovation in Science and Policymaking of the JRC which is under the authority of the Director-General.

Our mission is to inform the conception, development and implementation of EU policies with insights from foresight, behavioural sciences and design. Our complementary competences in these areas allow us to better anticipate issues requiring European Union (EU) policy attention, identify issues requiring further analysis, tackle policy issues from different perspectives and applying evidence from the behavioural sciences.

Through the EU Policy Lab, the Unit provides an experimental, collaborative and multidisciplinary space to explore, connect and find solutions for better regulation and better spending.

The selected candidate will contribute to the integration of JRC scientific advice into policy making in the EU, notably through the development of foresight and horizon scanning studies contributing to the EU Policy Lab.

We offer:

a dynamic and multidisciplinary work environment in the EU Policy Lab at the forefront of innovation and creativity. Join us for a unique opportunity to support EU policies by integrating scientific advice into policy making through foresight, mainly, but also in collaboration with design and behavioural insights.
Our multidisciplinary team values creativity and collaboration, providing you with the opportunity to work alongside experts from diverse fields to craft innovative foresight approaches and methods that influence EU policy making.

We pride ourselves on fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace culture that thrives on a creative, innovative, and open-minded approach, integrating diverse knowledge to build collective intelligence.

WE PROPOSE

The jobholder will play a crucial role in deepening the integration of JRC scientific advice into EU policy making, particularly by developing foresight and horizon scanning studies that contribute to the EU Policy Lab. Key responsibilities include:

Organise, prepare and run quantitative and qualitative foresight/horizon scanning analyses, studies and workshops in the area of future risks and other JRC foresight working strands such as sustainability transitions, technology foresight and horizon scanning.
Contribute to the development and implementation of novel foresight approaches and methods in line with the EU Policy Lab practices.
Support foresight capacity development through innovative training initiatives and participatory processes.
Establish, maintain and strengthen strategic relations with stakeholders, including regular communication with other European Institutions and the academic community.
Drafting and preparing comprehensive analysis reports, communications materials, and briefings on strategic foresight for policy makers and stakeholders.

This role is ideal for those looking to make a substantial impact on policy development at the EU level.

WE LOOK FOR

We are looking for a motivated and competent candidate to join the Competence Centre on Foresight of the JRC EU Policy Lab as a Policy Analyst and who meets the following requirements:

Essential:

At least 3 years of professional experience in developing and/or using strategic foresight tools and methods (qualitative and/or quantitative) and making sense of anticipatory intelligence to support policy making.
Experience in designing and managing participatory foresight projects in a policy making context and facilitating participatory foresight workshops.
Ability to understand and interpret scientific facts and transform them into policy-relevant narratives.
Relevant thematic expertise in risks and their importance in the field of resilience and preparedness, or sustainability transitions.
Experience as an analyst or practitioner in policy making with an understanding of the complexity of society’s challenges today.
Experience in monitoring and analysing policy developments, synthesising scientific and other evidence to support policy decisions, or designing policy options and solutions.
Experience in delivering public presentations to different audiences.

Advantageous:

At least 2 years of experience in conducting research projects independently.
A good understanding of the policy making processes and of strategic future-oriented analysis
Professional experience in the field of community management and communication

Ideal candidates will possess strong analytical and communication abilities and be passionate about innovation and creativity. Proficiency in English, at a C1 level across listening, reading, spoken interaction, spoken production, and writing, is required.

HOW TO APPLY

If you are already on a valid CAST FG IV reserve list, or you have already applied to one of the calls below, you can directly submit your application at JRC Recruitment Portal.

If not, before applying to this position, you must register for one of the two following databases:

the Call for Expressions of Interest | EU Careers (europa.eu) (CAST Permanent FG IV), which is used by a wide range of organisations (institutions, bodies, offices and agencies of the European Union), or
the call for researchers (JRC Call COM/1/2015/GFIV – Research), which is mainly used by the JRC.

Note that each of the calls above has different minimum eligibility requirements and different selection tests.

The JRC cultivates a workplace based on respect for other people and the environment, and embraces non-discriminatory practices and equality of opportunity. In case of equal merit, preference will be given to the gender in minority.

Joint Research Centre is hiring a Policy Analyst – Foresight