Cyprus’ Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation, and Digital Policy announced on Monday an open call for applications to recruit scientific collaborators.

According to the announcement, these positions are linked to Cyprus’ upcoming presidency of the EU Council in 2026.

The ministry said that successful candidates will be stationed at the permanent representation of Cyprus to the EU in Brussels, focusing on areas such as research and innovation, digital policy and communications, and cybersecurity.

In addition, the selected scientific collaborators will represent the ministry in EU institutions, participating in working groups and preparatory committees.

“They will also monitor developments in fields such as electronic communications, the digital economy, the internet, the European digital single market, cybersecurity, research and innovation, and space technologies,” the minister said.

“Additionally, they will be required to produce relevant studies, memos, and suggestions, alongside other duties as assigned,” it added.

The announcement clarified that eligibility is open to Cypriot or EU citizens who meet certain criteria, including proficiency in Greek and English, and holding a university degree in relevant fields.

For positions focusing on digital policy and communications and cybersecurity, candidates with backgrounds in electrical engineering, computer science, information systems management, information technology, data communications, cybersecurity, law, or related scientific disciplines will be considered.

Moreover, for the research and innovation role, qualifications in economics, accounting, business administration, law, international relations, political science, chemistry, biology, biochemistry, genetics, energy, environment, climate change, as well as the various branches of engineering are required.

“A clear criminal record certificate, at least three years of experience in relevant sectors, and specialised experience in EU institutional roles are advantageous,” the ministry said.

It also said that “possessing a master’s degree in a relevant field or fluency in French or German is also considered beneficial”.

The scientific collaborators are expected to adhere to the working hours of the diplomatic mission, with their service period not exceeding two years.

The work will take place at the offices of the permanent representation of Cyprus in Brussels. The ministry also said that the annual fee for these services is set at €66,513, which will rise to €71,800 from July 1, 2025, inclusive of all work-related expenses, excluding VAT.

“For selection, the awarding authority will assess the qualifications and experience of the applicants, ranking them based on a scoring system that considers additional qualifications and experience beyond the minimum requirements,” the announcement stated.

“Due to the personal nature of these services, a number of top-ranked candidates, likely triple the number of available positions, will be invited for interviews, with the most suitable candidate chosen,” it added.

Applications, including CVs and any supporting documents, must be submitted by September 5, 2024, 12:00 PM, to [email protected].