Project Manager – Patient Involvement and Responsible Research

The Impact and Responsible Research & Innovation (RRI) team, under the Scientific Strategy Directorate at Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), is seeking a Project Manager to support researchers in incorporating societal perspectives, social impact and RRI principles into biomedical and health research projects.

The selected candidate will be part of the BIVHIR project team, an institutional project aimed at strengthening and increasing competitive research funding across the institution. The position will be based in the Impact and RRI Office and will work in close collaboration with the Pre-Award Projects Unit. The role involves training and advising research teams on participatory research approaches, including Patient and Public Involvement (PPI), citizen science, open science activities, and the integration of inclusive, gender and diversity perspectives in research design. The position also includes contributing to and revising competitive research proposals, providing guidance on ethical and responsible research and innovation processes.

In addition, the Project Manager will contribute to implementing these activities in funded projects, with the aim of increasing the social impact of research conducted at VHIR and strengthening institutional capacity to conduct research that is responsive to societal and local and regional needs.

Main responsibilities and duties:

• Advise researchers on the incorporation of participatory research, Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) and citizen science approaches in research proposals, and contribute to the implementation of participatory and engagement activities in funded projects.

• Provide guidance on inclusion, gender and diversity perspectives, as well as ethical, open science, governance and responsible research processes, ensuring alignment with the RRI framework.

• Identify funding opportunities and support proposal preparation related to participatory research, societal engagement and RRI.

• Contribute to strengthening VHIR’s institutional strategy to foster socially engaged research and align research agendas with societal needs.

• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including patient organisations, community organisations and public institutions.

Education and qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Health Sciences, Social Sciences, Public Health, Psychology, Sociology, or related fields

• Fluency in Catalan, Spanish and English (business level)

Desired:

• Additional training in participatory research, design thinking, qualitative research methods, public involvement, citizen science, Open Science, and/or Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI)

Experience and knowledge:

Required:

• Understanding of biomedical and health research processes

• Experience in training and applying qualitative research techniques to assess societal impact, stakeholder engagement, and citizen participation in health research

• Experience promoting participatory research or PPI in health-related contexts

• Knowledge of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) policies and frameworks

Desired:

• Experience in research impact, open science practices, stakeholder engagement, impact in grant proposals and/or impact assessment and communication.

• Strong writing skills and good knowledge of the European and national competitive research funding landscape

• Experience contributing to funding research proposals and the ability to advise multidisciplinary research teams

• Knowledge of the civil society landscape and stakeholder ecosystem, including patient organisations, community groups and NGOs

• Understanding of the governance and policy structures at local, regional, national and international levels in the research, health, education and social welfare systems

• Creativity and capacity to propose innovative engagement mechanisms, including in basic and translational research contexts, as well as arts and health approaches

Labour conditions:

• Full-time position: 37,5h/week

• Starting date: As soon as possible

• Gross annual salary: Remuneration will depend on experience and skills. Salary ranges are con