The Biomedical Research Institute of Malaga (IBIMA) is seeking an experienced person to act as European Correspondent for Spain in the European Research Infrastructure Network (ECRIN, www.ecrin.org).

ECRIN Desciption:

ECRIN is a not for profit, public research organisation, supporting clinical research across Europe. It is connecting national clinical research networks (mainly academic clinical trial units (CTUs)), having the capacity to manage clinical trials on the national level.  

ECRIN provides information, consultations and operational clinical trial tasks and services to Sponsors and/or investigators of clinical trials initiated by academic investigators or SMEs.

ECRIN’s involvement covers all clinical trial activities, from study planning and preparation of grant application, to the set-up and conduct of multinational clinical trials in any disease area.

Most of the ECRIN-supported projects are funded by EU funding programmes.   

ECRIN is also developing tools, services to facilitate multinational clinical trials.  

Roles and Responsibilities:

This is a unique opportunity for a motivated individual who wishes to further develop his/her career in clinical research and his/her experience of multinational research projects. The ECRIN-ERIC European Correspondent for Spain plays a pivotal role in the coordination of the activities within the ECRIN-ERIC, strengthening the interaction of ECRIN-ERIC and the national network SCReN in order to facilitate and support participation in European multinational collaborations and within the national network.

The main duties of the ECRIN-ERIC European Correspondent will include the following:

• Providing the key contact point in Spain for ECRIN-ERIC and the network of European Correspondents in other ECRIN countries.
• Participating, as part of the ECRIN-ERIC Management Office, in the development and maintenance of ECRIN Quality Assurance systems, and regulatory knowledge facilitating the activity of the national representatives in the ECRIN activities
• Providing advice and support to national investigators and sponsors wishing to develop European multinational studies through ECRIN, providing the key communication link with other ECRIN partners through the network of European Correspondents
• Providing support to foreign investigators and sponsors wishing to undertake clinical research studies in Spain, ensuring that information relating to foreign studies are appropriately disseminated to national and international researchers.
• Provide leadership for ECRIN- adopted clinical projects carried out in Spain and participating in the management of multinational projects within the national network as well as in services provided by ECRIN as appropriate
• Ensure that specific pieces of project work under the ECRIN initiative are introduced and completed successfully, in line with planned timelines and contribute to the delivery of these projects
• Compiling and distributing regular communications about the progress of ECRIN projects and details of new initiatives to national network
• Ensure that ECRIN-ERIC activities and mission are communicated efficiently to other stakeholders in Spain. Particularly the information should be timely distributed within the national partners ensuring that they have the opportunity to contribute to relevant initiatives on time
• Be required to work closely with other members of national network, research stakeholders and national regulatory authorities and any other relevant professional bodies/organisations. In addition, excellent external links will be required with ECRIN team (core group and other European correspondents in other countries)
• Maintain within national network in Spain a thorough understanding of the current clinical research regulatory environment. Develop and maintain a good appreciation of the regulatory environment in other EU member states, particularly in relation to the interpretation and implementation of EU clinical trial legislation
• Assist the country specific Training and Education Team in identifying training needs and requirements of local network staff and clinical trials unit staff in relation to multinational clinical trials and regulatory and governance issues, and contribute to the development and delivery of training programmes as appropriate.  
• Undertake any ad hoc initiatives as required by the ECRIN-ERIC Management office.

Required qualifications and skills:

• Minimum requirements:
• University degree.
• Excellent oral and written language fluency in both English and Spanish and communication skills (English will be the working language). The job interview will be performed in part in English. 
• Availability to work in Málaga (Spain) with travels in France as appropriate, and at the ECRIN-ERIC management office located in Paris, and in Europe.

• Requirements and skills to be valued:
  • University degree in Health or Life Science. (1 point)
  • Extensive multinational clinical research experience (0,5 points per year of work experience. Max. 1 point)
  • Experience in European project management (contract, budget, reports,..). (0,25 points per year of work experience. Max. 1 point)
  • Strong knowledge of the clinical development process and of GCP and local and international regulatory requirements. (0,2 points per training course and/or per year of work experience. Max. 1 point)
  • Excellent organisational skills demonstrated by a proven ability to manage a range of different projects simultaneously. (1 point per certificate. Max. 1 point)
  • Ability to interact positively with a wide range of professionals, including senior staff, across a range of organisations including clinical research staff and regulatory authorities. (1 point per certificate. Max. 1 point).
  • Desirable complementary knowledge of experimental design, statistics
  • and data management. (0,1 points per training course or per year of work experience. Max 0,5 points)
  • Computer and software knowledge. (0,5 points per certificate. Max 0,5 points)
  • Strong oral and written communication skills (to be evaluated in the interview phase)
  • Ability to participate constructively and enthusiastically in meetings and decision making processes and to use own initiative, as appropriate. (to be evaluated in the interview phase)

The requirements listed above must be accredited by certificate issued by a competent authority or sworn statement.

The post is under the hierarchical responsibility of the Scientific Director of the Cinical Research and Clinical Trials Platform at IBIMA. The tasks listed above will be developed with the support and under the supervision of a senior team of clinical pharmacologists, with a wide experience in the coordination of multinational studies and active participation in ECRIN activities. The European Correspondent shall work in close collaboration with the ECRIN Management Office (team based in Paris and European Correspondents based in country).

Contract information:

• The post is a full time (35 hours per week) according to Spanish law.
• Type of contract: Permanent position*.

*This position will be subject to the role of IBIMA as National Hub of ECRIN.

• Category: Unit Coordinator
• Annual gross salary*: Between 30.736,20€ – 51.118,31€ per year. The annual gross salary will be fixed on the basis of the experience provided and the skills of the candidates This amount includes social and health benefits.

*The annual gross salary includes a variable pay based on the performance of annual objectives.

• Expected start date:  May 2022
• Place of employment: Málaga (Spain)

Presentation of applications:

All documents must include the reference code of the job offer (ECRINCR0429)

• Candidates must enclose a motivation letter and their Curriculum Vitae (European format with photo).
• Proof of the merits exposed (certificate issued by a competent authority or sworn statement) and the degree obtained must also be included in the application.

The application must be delivered by email to the email address rrhh@ibima.eu, indicating clearly in the Subject the reference code of the job offer (ECRINCR0429).

Deadline to receive applications:  16/05/2022

Selection process:

• On the basis of the merits correctly accredited, at least the three better scored candidates will be selected for a personal interview in which communication skills, aptitude for the post and working skills will be assessed with a maximum of 3 points. Only candidates who score at least a 50% of valued requirements and skills will be eligible for the interview phase.
• After the offer resolution and in case the selected candidate renounces the contract, the hiring board will be able to select the following better scored candidate according to the list.