Job Reference
326_25_DIR_AD
Position
Associate Director
Closing Date
Friday, 30 May, 2025
Reference: 326_25_DIR_AD
Job title: Associate Director
About BSC
The Barcelona Supercomputing Center - Centro Nacional de Supercomputación (BSC-CNS) is the leading supercomputing center in Spain. It houses MareNostrum, one of the most powerful supercomputers in Europe, was a founding and hosting member of the former European HPC infrastructure PRACE (Partnership for Advanced Computing in Europe), and is now hosting entity for EuroHPC JU, the Joint Undertaking that leads large-scale investments and HPC provision in Europe. The mission of BSC is to research, develop and manage information technologies in order to facilitate scientific progress. BSC combines HPC service provision and R&D into both computer and computational science (life, earth and engineering sciences) under one roof, and currently has over 1000 staff from 60 countries.
Look at the BSC experience:
BSC-CNS YouTube Channel
Let's stay connected with BSC Folks!
We are particularly interested for this role in the strengths and lived experiences of women and underrepresented groups to help us avoid perpetuating biases and oversights in science and IT research. In instances of equal merit, the incorporation of the under-represented sex will be favoured.
We promote Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, fostering an environment where each and every one of us is appreciated for who we are, regardless of our differences.
If you consider that you do not meet all the requirements, we encourage you to continue applying for the job offer. We value diversity of experiences and skills, and you could bring unique perspectives to our team.
Look at the BSC experience:
BSC-CNS YouTube Channel
Let's stay connected with BSC Folks!
We are particularly interested for this role in the strengths and lived experiences of women and underrepresented groups to help us avoid perpetuating biases and oversights in science and IT research. In instances of equal merit, the incorporation of the under-represented sex will be favoured.
We promote Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, fostering an environment where each and every one of us is appreciated for who we are, regardless of our differences.
If you consider that you do not meet all the requirements, we encourage you to continue applying for the job offer. We value diversity of experiences and skills, and you could bring unique perspectives to our team.
Context And Mission
The Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC) is seeking an Associate Director to play a key role in the strategic development and institutional governance of the center. He/She/They will act as a key liaison with governing bodies and strategic stakeholders, while driving the execution of the center’s vision and long-term objectives.
The Associate Director will collaborate closely with Prof. Mateo Valero, the Director of the center, and other members of the management board, to ensure operational excellence and alignment across scientific, administrative, and institutional domains. This is a pivotal role for a leader with a solid background in the research and innovation ecosystem, and a strong ability to navigate complex environments with foresight, diplomacy, and strategic vision.
The Associate Director will collaborate closely with Prof. Mateo Valero, the Director of the center, and other members of the management board, to ensure operational excellence and alignment across scientific, administrative, and institutional domains. This is a pivotal role for a leader with a solid background in the research and innovation ecosystem, and a strong ability to navigate complex environments with foresight, diplomacy, and strategic vision.
Key Duties
- Participate in the Board of Directors and assist in reporting and ensuring visibility of activities to Governing Bodies and other stakeholders.
- Lead the development and implementation of the centre’s strategic plan and coordinate the achievement of annual objectives.
- Represent the Center in strategic and institutional meetings, acting as a delegate when necessary.
- Collaborate closely with other Directors to ensure alignment with BSC commitments, both external and internal.
- Promote and facilitate knowledge transfer and development of social communication activities related to the socio-economic sector.
- Develop and implement strategies to attract economic resources supporting the Centre’s activities.
- Oversee financial and administrative management within the institutional framework of the Centre.
- Ensure compliance with national and international regulations affecting the research environment.
- Drive continuous improvement in processes related to scientific, technological, and operational aspects of the Centre.
Requirements
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Education
- University degree in Business Administration, Economics, Management, or a related field.
- A PhD, preferably in Computer Science or a related discipline, is highly valued.
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Essential Knowledge and Professional Experience
- A minimum of 8 years of experience in senior management roles, preferably within the scientific and technological research sector.
- Extensive knowledge of the European, Spanish and Catalan R&D system and public sector funding mechanisms.
- Proven experience in budget management, particularly within public-sector financial frameworks.
- Experience in strategic planning, policy development, and institutional governance.
- Strong background in public and private international research organizations.
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Additional Knowledge and Professional Experience
- Expertise in managing large-scale research initiatives and partnerships with governmental and private entities.
- Strong track record in securing funding and resources for research projects.
- Knowledge of compliance, legal, and regulatory aspects relevant to the scientific and innovation ecosystem.
- Experience in overseeing technology transfer and innovation management initiatives.
- Proficiency in process optimization and operational excellence.
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Competences
- Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to delegate effectively.
- Strategic and analytical thinking to navigate a competitive research environment.
- High-level negotiation and communication skills, both written and verbal. Solid set of interpersonal skills.
- Ability to adapt to public sector management structures and policies.
- Capacity for cooperation, innovation and continuous improvement.
- Flexibility and problem-solving mindset.
- Commitment to upholding BSC’s corporate values and fostering an inclusive work environment.
Conditions
- The position will be located at BSC within the Directors Department
- We offer a full-time contract (37.5h/week), a good working environment, a highly stimulating environment with state-of-the-art infrastructure, flexible working hours, extensive training plan, restaurant tickets, private health insurance, support to the relocation procedures
- Duration: Open-ended
- Holidays: 23 paid vacation days plus 24th and 31st of December per our collective agreement
- Salary: we offer a competitive salary commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the candidate and according to the cost of living in Barcelona
- Starting date: as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the 30th of May, however, candidates can be contacted before the deadline in order to ensure a more agile process. In the case of not finding a suitable candidate, the vacancy will be re-opened with a new deadline.
Applications procedure and process
All applications must be submitted via the BSC website and contain:
- A full CV in English including contact details
- A cover/motivation letter with a statement of interest in English, clearly specifying for which specific area and topics the applicant wishes to be considered. Additionally, two references for further contacts must be included. Applications without this document will not be considered.
Development of the recruitment process
The selection will be carried out through a competitive examination system ("Concurso-Oposición"). The recruitment process consists of two phases:
- Curriculum Analysis: Evaluation of previous experience and/or scientific history, degree, training, and other professional information relevant to the position. - 40 points
- Interview phase: The highest-rated candidates at the curriculum level will be invited to the interview phase, conducted by the corresponding department and Human Resources. In this phase, technical competencies, knowledge, skills, and professional experience related to the position, as well as the required personal competencies, will be evaluated. - 60 points. A minimum of 30 points out of 60 must be obtained to be eligible for the position.
The recruitment panel will be composed of at least three people, ensuring at least 25% representation of women.
In accordance with OTM-R principles, a gender-balanced recruitment panel is formed for each vacancy at the beginning of the process. After reviewing the content of the applications, the panel will begin the interviews, with at least one technical and one administrative interview. At a minimum, a personality questionnaire as well as a technical exercise will be conducted during the process.
The panel will make a final decision, and all individuals who participated in the interview phase will receive feedback with details on the acceptance or rejection of their profile.
At BSC, we seek continuous improvement in our recruitment processes. For any suggestions or comments/complaints about our recruitment processes, please contact recruitment [at] bsc [dot] es [dot] For more information, please follow this link.
Deadline
The vacancy will remain open until a suitable candidate has been hired. Applications will be regularly reviewed and potential candidates will be contacted.
OTM-R principles for selection processes
BSC-CNS is committed to the principles of the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers of the European Commission and the Open, Transparent and Merit-based Recruitment principles (OTM-R). This is applied for any potential candidate in all our processes, for example by creating gender-balanced recruitment panels and recognizing career breaks etc.
BSC-CNS is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We are pleased to consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or any other basis protected by applicable state or local law.
For more information follow this link
BSC-CNS is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We are pleased to consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or any other basis protected by applicable state or local law.
For more information follow this link