WE ARE

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) provides independent, evidence-based knowledge and science, supporting EU policies to positively impact society.  The JRC is located in 5 Member States (Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain).  

The current vacancy is in unit B5 “Circular Economy and Sustainable Industry” of the Directorate B “Fair and Sustainable Economy” of the JRC. The unit is based in Seville (Spain), home to an international community of around 400 researchers and economic and policy analysts: https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/jrc-sites-across-europe/jrc-seville-spain_en. 

JRC.B5 uses an interdisciplinary approach combining technical expertise from various fields to provide evidence that informs policies on circular economy, sustainable products, industrial transformation and green investments. B5 officers apply analytical tools and methods to generate data and science-for-policy insights, through scientific rigour and structured stakeholder outreach, when possible using inclusive co-creation methods, like the ‘Sevilla Process’.

The vacancy is in JRC.B5 team “Green Expertise for Investments”, which supports EU policy developments, analysis and implementation in the areas of industrial decarbonisation, transition finance and green finance, including on corporate climate transition plans. Our aim is to enhance the mobilisation of private and public finance for the decarbonisation/greening of the EU economy.

WE OFFER

• The opportunity to join a multicultural and dynamic team that values self-initiative, critical-thinking, collaborative working and collective ownership.

• The prospect to contribute to EU policymaking in a unique, interdisciplinary setting, with frequent exchanges with other services of the European Commission and external stakeholders from Europe and beyond (e.g. governments, researchers, civil society, companies and investors).

• A family-friendly working environment in Seville, online collaboration and occasional travel, collaborating with international collea gues based in various sites of the JRC including Brussels and Ispra (Italy). See also Working at the Commission – conditions and environment (europa.eu)

WE PROPOSE

The new Project Officer “Industrial Transition and Sustainable Finance” will provide evidence and technical advice with a particular focus on industrial transition and the effective mobilisation of private and public investments to drive the decarbonisation and greening of the EU economy. The work will support policy-making on high impact files related to the green transition (e.g. Clean Industrial Deal, Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, EU Taxonomy for sustainable activities, climate and environmental mainstreaming in the EU budget). 

The new colleague’s key responsibilities will include:

Providing technical expertise to support policymaking:

• Provide technical advice to integrate sustainability requirements into EU financing policies and funding instruments; 

• Conduct and participate in research and studies to develop guiding frameworks and analytical tools to mobilise investments in high priority sectors (e.g. energy-intensive industries such as steel, cement, chemicals...). These will focus notably on corporate climate transition plans;

• Develop new areas of interest for future innovative JRC work to support investments in the transition to a climate-neutral and greener EU economy.

Engaging and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders:

• Build a trustful working relationship with EU Commission Directorates-General (DGs) and Member States;

• Facilitate discussions with colleagues as well as with EU and international experts to gather robust evidence to address technical challenges and barriers;

• Identify and engage with a diverse range of stakeholders (e.g. financial, corporate, governmental and non-governmental stakeholders) to share knowledge and understand standpoints.

WE LOOK FOR

We look for an experienced expert in climate and/or industrial transition, with a strong technical background, an analytical mindset and excellent collaboration skills, to provide technical advice and science-for-policy support in the areas of industrial decarbonisation and sustainable finance.

The candidate must have (essential):

• University studies of at least 3 years, attested by a diploma, in a field with a strong link to sustainability assessment (e.g. energy, climate, industrial engineering, environmental engineering or environmental sciences);

• Proven professional experience of a minimum of 3 years, in relevant areas for the position as described in the section “we propose”;

• Expertise on climate and/or industrial transition: the candidate shall have a strong background in analysing industrial transition/decarbonisation, and an understanding of EU climate, energy and industrial policy;

• Excellent networking, collaboration and interpersonal skills: strong experience in build ing beneficial and productive relationships;

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills: experience in managing and summarising complex information;

• Excellent written and oral communication skills;

• An advanced level of written and spoken English (C1 level).

The ideal candidate should have (desirable):

• Experience with the design or assessment of companies’ climate strategies and/or design of public programmes/strategies to support the industrial transition (at local/regional/national or EU level);

• An understanding of sustainable finance/investment-related policies and frameworks (e.g., sustainability-related disclosure frameworks, sustainable taxonomies, state aid, EU funds, etc.);

• Ideally, more than 5 years of professional experience, with a background in managing complex projects and driving strategic initiatives.

• Professional experience identifying and engaging with varied stakeholders (e.g. policymakers on industrial, climate and sustainable finance policies, industrial actors, private finance market, regulators, institutional bodies, NGOs, research communities, think tanks);

• Experience or knowledge of data mining/analysis, and mode lling tools. 

• Proficiency in MS Office tools.

The candidate should also demonstrate:

• Commitment, motivation and proactivity in pursuing projects;

• Ability to work independently, including the effective management of own overload, as well as to work as part of a team;

• Ability to identify and focus on the essential elements of issues and processes so as to achieve established goals efficiently;

• Ability to adapt to changing plans and priorities.

Applications are particularly encouraged from female candidates, and from candidates of under-represented nationalities (Austrian, Cypriot, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Estonian, Finnish, German, Irish, Luxemburgish, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Slovak and Swedish).

HOW TO APPLY

VACANCY CODE: 2025-JRC.B.5-SVQ-FGIV-001745

Deadline: 30 April 2025

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 fo r one of the two following databases:

• the Call for Expressions of Interest | EU Careers (europa.eu) (CAST Permanent FG II/III/IV), which is used by a wide range of organisations (institutions, bodies, offices and agencies of the European Union), or

• the specialised 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 embrac es non-discriminatory practices and equality of opportunity. In case of equal merit, preference will be given to the gender in minority.