MIRRI-ERIC Announces a Chief Technology Officer Opportunity

MIRRI-ERIC is announcing a new career opportunity for an experienced professional to join its team as Chief Technology Officer (CTO), contributing to the technological development and long-term sustainability of the European Research Infrastructure for microbial resources.

The CTO will lead the technical and scientific implementation of MIRRI-ERIC's strategy, working closely with the Executive Director and the wider team to modernise the infrastructure's technical capabilities, services and data systems. This role offers an opportunity to shape the future of a pan-European research infrastructure supporting scientific excellence and innovation across biotechnology, health, agriculture, food systems and environmental sustainability.

MIRRI-ERIC connects leading microbial domain Biological Resource Centres (mBRCs), culture collections, universities and research organisations across Europe. By coordinating access to high-quality microbial resources, associated data and expertise, the infrastructure promotes harmonised standards, quality management and FAIR data principles, strengthening the European research and innovation landscape.

Key responsibilities include:

• Defining and implementing MIRRI-ERIC's technology strategy in line with its scientific and service priorities;
• Improving the interoperability and FAIRness of microbial resource data, catalogues and information systems, including alignment with European data infrastructures and standards;
• Coordinating the technical harmonisation of quality management across microbial Biological Resource Centres and National Nodes;
• Overseeing the development of MIRRI-ERIC's services portfolio, including the integration of genomic, bioinformatic and data services;
• Monitoring emerging technologies in sequencing, omics and computational biology and assessing their potential adoption;
• Supporting environmentally sustainable operations, technical resilience, industry engagement and technology transfer;
• Strengthening collaboration with other European Research Infrastructures, including ELIXIR, and contributing to training activities for the MIRRI-ERIC community.

Applicants should hold a PhD in Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Bioinformatics or another relevant discipline, with at least 15 years of professional experience in life sciences research and technology. Candidates must also have at least five years of experience managing a research infrastructure, core facility or technical platform, demonstrated expertise in genomics and bioinformatics, experience in research data management and data infrastructure, and a track record of coordinating competitively funded European projects.

Experience in microbial or environmental genomics, biobanks and culture collections, FAIR data implementation, quality management systems and European Research Infrastructures will be considered an advantage. Strong leadership, strategic vision, communication skills and the ability to work in an international, multidisciplinary environment are also essential.

The position is based at MIRRI-ERIC Headquarters in Braga, Portugal, with the possibility of remote work from Portugal and occasional presence at the headquarters. It is offered at 40% working time (16 hours per week) under a service commission contract of indefinite duration, subject to periodic evaluations. The gross annual salary is €25.164,27, corresponding to 40% of index 245 of the Portuguese Public Research career. The planned starting date is 1 December 2026 or earlier.

Applicants must have current and unrestricted authorisation to work in Portugal. MIRRI-ERIC does not provide visa sponsorship, work permit assistance or relocation support.

Applications must be submitted as a single PDF containing a motivation letter, a detailed curriculum vitae, copies of academic qualifications, and the names, affiliations, ORCID identifiers and contact details of two professional referees.

Applications should be sent by email to [email protected], with the subject line "Chief Technology Officer – MIRRI-ERIC 2026".

Application deadline: 28 October 2026.

For full details on the position, eligibility criteria, remuneration, selection procedure and application requirements, please consult the complete job announcement and/or the EURAXESS portal.