Job offer

European Clinical Research Infrastructure Network

Organisation/Company European Clinical Research Infrastructure Network Research Field Medical sciences Health sciences Researcher Profile Other Profession Positions Other Positions Application Deadline 13 Apr 2026 - 09:00 (Europe/London) Country France Type of Contract Other Type of Contract Extra Information renewable three-year mandate Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 1 Jan 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? Yes

Offer Description

The European Clinical Research Infrastructure Network (ECRIN-ERIC) is seeking an inspiring and strategic Director General to lead the organisation through its next stage of development and offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of multinational clinical research in Europe.

About ECRIN

ECRIN is a non‑profit European research infrastructure, federating clinical trial units across its member countries, providing operational services to multinational clinical trials in Europe, thus making Europe a single area for clinical research ( ). ECRIN is a public health‑oriented organisation as expressed in its vision (“To generate scientific evidence to optimise medical practice”) and mission statements (“To support the conduct of multinational clinical trials in Europe”).

ECRIN’s network consists of over 130 clinical trial units; our clinical trial portfolio now counts 75 multinational studies, and we have participated in more than 50 international infrastructure development projects.

ECRIN was awarded the legal status of a European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC) based on the 2013/713/EU Commission Implementing Decision of 29 November 20131, and receives sustainable funding through the financial contributions from the governments of its Member and Observer countries.

ECRIN supports the management of multinational clinical studies in Europe, in any disease area, based on the coordination of services provided by clinical trial units. ECRIN also supports investigators and sponsors in the design and planning of pan‑European clinical studies, and develops tools, procedures and partnerships to facilitate multinational clinical research.

ECRIN values

ECRIN's values include healthcare optimisation, health innovation, patient involvement, scientific excellence, ethics, transparency, data sharing, high‑quality data, not‑for‑profit focus, and international cooperation.

Structure

The ECRIN headquarters is based in Paris (France), and European Correspondents are present in all of its member countries, to coordinate the work with the national networks of its scientific partners. To date, ECRIN has 13 member countries (Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, and Switzerland). Member countries have access to the full range of ECRIN services and collaboration opportunities. Observer status, which lasts for a maximum of three years, grants similar support with no voting rights (ECRIN Member & Observer countries). Collaboration with countries is achieved through ECRIN's unique organisation involving the Paris‑based core team, the European correspondents (EuCos) based in each Member or Observer country, and the country national scientific partner (usually a network of clinical trial units, CTUs). EuCos oversee the implementation of ECRIN’s work in their respective countries, managing the trial portfolio and coordinating with the national scientific partner and other relevant stakeholders. The core team, based in Paris, develops ECRIN’s strategy, common tools and procedures, and contributes to “infrastructure development” projects. The national scientific partners manage trials in‑country and host the EuCos. In coordination with the EuCo, they identify the clinical trial units (CTUs) or clinical research centres (CRCs) that will provide trial management tasks in a given study. The Paris headquarters house the ECRIN management, the infrastructure development project unit and the support services, while the clinical operations are supported directly in country by our European correspondents (to provide management services to multinational trials) who also contribute to infrastructure development projects. The European Correspondents, based in each Member or Observer Country, link the national clinical research network to the ECRIN Core Team and other countries. Their deep knowledge of the national research landscape ensures efficient management of multinational trials.

Governance

Assembly of Members (AoM)

ECRIN is governed by the Assembly of Members (AoM), which is composed of a representative from the government of each member or observer country.

Network Committee (NC)

The Network Committee represents the scientific partners and has an advisory role for the AoM and Director General. It is composed of one senior delegate of each Scientific Partner from member and observer countries.

Steering Committee (SC)

The Steering Committee bridges activities of the AoM and NC providing advice on budget, work plan and scientific/technical matters as required. It is composed of the Chair and Vice Chair of both the AoM and the NC as well as the Director General.

Advisory Board

The ECRIN Advisory Board is composed of individuals representing diverse areas related to clinical research, both in Europe and internationally. Members provide input and recommendations to the AoM on all matters related to the activities of the infrastructure and its further development.

Scientific Board

The ECRIN Scientific Board is comprised of the Collaboration Committee and the Peer Review Committee providing access to ECRIN services through independent protocol peer review ensuring ethical, medical and methodological soundness.

Funding

ECRIN is funded by the contributions of its Member and Observer countries. These funds are dedicated to sustaining the organisation and developing its core competencies to enable the provision of operational support to multinational clinical trials. Country funding does not cover costs incurred by multinational clinical trials where ECRIN provides trial management services. These projects are mostly funded by grants from European funding bodies. Development of tools, procedures and partnerships facilitating multinational trials in Europe is supported through a combination of member country contributions and EU funds.

European and international cooperation and collaborations

ECRIN collaborates with other life science and medical research infrastructures, in particular with European Research Infrastructure for Biobanking and BioMolecular Resources (BBMRI) on biobanking and European Research Infrastructure for Translational Medicine (EATRIS) on translational research. ECRIN established a partnership with the European Patient’s Academy on Therapeutic Innovation (EUPATI) to create improved education and training in clinical research for patients and patient representatives. ECRIN also develops international cooperation in the context of the WHO Global Clinical Trial Forum (in particular with Canada, New Zealand, Japan, Korea and Brasil).

Appointment of the ECRIN Director General

The ECRIN Director General’s role and responsibilities are defined in the ECRIN-ERIC Statutes (Articles 7 and 8) and Rules of Internal Procedure (Article 3.2). The Director General is the legal representative of ECRIN-ERIC, and reports to the ECRIN-ERIC Assembly of Members composed of delegates from national Ministries.

The Director General will drive the further development of ECRIN and anticipate its adaptation to a constantly evolving European and global clinical research ecosystem – changes in the regulatory framework, new study designs and methodologies, decentralised trials, implementation of the European Health Data Space Regulation, secondary use of electronic health records and clinical trial data sharing. On the science policy side, the Director General will address in particular the ECRIN Membership expansion, the international cooperation, the funding mechanisms for multinational trials, the development of partnerships and complementarity with disease‑specific investigation networks.

Key accountabilities of the role

Operations and organisational leadership

• With support from the ECRIN-ERIC Management Office, hold overall responsibility for the organisation’s management.
• Foster effective working relationships across Scientific Partners, the Management Office, the Network Committee and the Assembly of Members, and support integration of partners at political and technical levels.
• Attend all meetings of the Assembly of Members (without voting rights) and the Network Committee.
• Act as the legal representative of ECRIN-ERIC, concluding contracts and overseeing legal and administrative proceedings in line with Assembly of Members decisions and internal rules.

People leadership

• Lead and line‑manage the organisation, including staff development, talent attraction and people processes.
• Develop and implement ECRIN-wide people strategies, including equality, diversity and inclusion action plans.

Monitoring, finance and reporting

• Establish systems to monitor ECRIN’s performance against service level agreements and provide regular management reporting.
• Oversee budget monitoring, income and expenditure.

Strategic, European and international engagement

• Maintain awareness of scientific, policy and user developments and translate these into ECRIN’s strategic planning.
• Act as ECRIN’s ambassador and authoritative voice at European and international levels, upholding its reputation, culture and values.
• Build and maintain relationships with key clinical research stakeholders, including patients, regulators and industry.
• Contribute actively to shaping the European clinical trials landscape.

Stakeholder and partnership management

• Build strong relationships with Member countries, including ministries, funders, policy makers, Scientific Partners and governance bodies.
• Maintain effective engagement with the Assembly of Members, Steering Committee, Network Committee, Advisory Board, Scientific Board and the wider senior scientific community.
• Lead interactions with other ESFRI research infrastructures, the European Commission, World Health Organization and other European and international Institutions.

Funding and sustainability

• Lead discussions with Member countries on long‑term budgeting as set out in the ECRIN Financial Plan.
• Lead pan‑European fundraising through coordination and participation in European projects.
• Support the long‑term sustainability of Member countries services.

Person Specification

Education

• PhD degree or equivalent in health or life science
• Expertise in medical science and in clinical research: methods, statistics, designs, data management, data sharing, ethics, regulation, Good Clinical Practice
• Knowledge of clinical development and market access for health products

Experience

Essential

• Extensive experience in medical and/or life sciences research
• Proven experience in multinational clinical research environments
• Demonstrated management experience in a multinational context
• Experience in science policy and science diplomacy
• Experience in the preparation, application, and management of EU‑funded projects

Desirable

• Medical degree
• Experience engaging with EU institutions and bodies (e.g., DG RTD, DG Health, EMA, ESFRI, European Parliament)
• Experience with information technology management tools and cybersecurity
• Strong understanding of research infrastructures
• Strong knowledge of legal affairs and contracting across multiple jurisdictions
• Strong understanding of quality management systems and ISO certification

Personal skills

• Strong commitment to integrating and strengthening clinical research capacity across Europe
• Service‑oriented mindset
• Demonstrated team leadership capabilities
• International outlook and cross‑cultural awareness
• Determined yet diplomatic approach
• Solution‑oriented and pragmatic problem solver
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English

Appointment Process and How to Apply

The Director General is appointed by the ECRIN‑ERIC Assembly of Members (upon a recommendation of the ECRIN Network Committee) for a renewable three‑year mandate. The Director General will be based at ECRIN’s headquarters in central Paris, working with a highly multinational team covering a broad range of skills and experience.

The Director General is an ECRIN employee, under French private employment law, with full health insurance coverage and retirement plan - however a secondment contract with the previous employer (e.g. University / Hospital) may be considered. The position is full‑time, with a competitive salary commensurate with the requirements of the role.

ECRIN is an inclusive, equal opportunity and non‑discrimination employer, with a gender equality plan, offering attractive conditions and benefits appropriate to an international research organisation.

The ECRIN‑ERIC Director General will be required to make a declaration of commitment to act independently, in the public interest, and to make a declaration in relation to any conflicts of interest which might be considered prejudicial to his/her independence.

ECRIN is partnering with Perrett Laver in the recruitment to this role. To apply, or to download further information, please visit quoting reference 8238.

The deadline for applications is 09.00 BST on Monday 13th April 2026. Interviews will take place in the second quarter of 2026, with the successful candidate expected to take up the position in January 2027.

To confidentially get in touch about this role, or for advice on your application, please email Lucy Roper on .

Should you require access to these documents in alternative formats, please contact Esther Elbro on .

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