The International Science Council (ISC) is looking for a dynamic and committed individual who is passionate about translating science into action on the world’s most pressing issues.
The junior Science Officer will join a team dedicated to championing the use of science in decision-making globally through a growing portfolio of science advice and science-policy initiatives and partnerships. This is an opportunity for an individual strongly motivated in working across geopolitical, disciplinary and societal boundaries to make the world a better place through science.
- Location: Paris, France. The incumbent is expected to live in the Paris area and should be prepared to conduct world-wide travel.
- Deadline for applications: 09 March 2026 17:00 UTC.
- Contract type: full-time permanent contract (contrat à durée indéterminée à temps complet)
- Salary: Dependent on the experience and qualifications of the candidate.
- Annual leave: 49 days off per year, consisting of 25 days of statutory paid leave and 24 additional days under the Réduction du Temps de Travail (RTT) system (compensatory time off for working a 39-hour workweek as per French labor law requirements).
- Other benefits: Meal vouchers (tickets restaurant), 50% of the cost of the travel card for travelling to and from work (“Pass Navigo”), possibility to work remotely on a limited basis.
- Work authorization: Applicants must hold a valid French work permit or be a national of an EU Member State. The ISC cannot provide visa sponsorship.
About the ISC
The ISC is an international non-profit organization with a unique global membership that brings together 250 scientific organizations around the world, including international scientific unions and associations, national science academies and research councils, international and regional federations and societies, and academies and associations of young scientists.
The mission of the Council is to be the global voice for science. The Council seeks to provide powerful and credible global voice that is respected in both the public and policy domains and within the scientific community. It uses that voice to:
- speak for the value of all science and the need for evidence‐informed understanding
and decision‐making at all levels, from local to global;
- stimulate and support international, interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly among Members of the Council, on scientific research and scholarship on issues of global concern;
- articulate scientific knowledge on issues of global concern in the public and policy
domains;
- promote and assist science diplomacy, particularly where it advances the common good and addresses global challenges;
- promote the continued and equal advancement of scientific rigour, creativity and
- relevance in all parts of the world;
- assist the scientific community and relevant stakeholders in their respective roles in the conduct of science and in the face of the evolution of science systems;
- defend and promote the free and responsible practice of science.
The ISC has been strengthening its activities in global policy to support a greater role for science in supporting decision making and action on global challenges through partnership agreements and joint initiatives with UN organizations, the engagement of Member States to champion science and actionable knowledge, the ISC’s role as co‐convener of the Scientific and Technological Community Major Group including for the intergovernmental process on the Sustainable Development Goals, and the ISC’s role as a member of the network of organizations affiliated with the UN Secretary‐General’s Scientific Advisory Board, among others.
About the role
As part of the Global Science Policy Unit, you will have the following general responsibilities:
- Supporting time‐bound projects and programmes across their full life-cycle from development, implementation, coordination to communication, reporting and review.
- Coordinating the engagement of scientists from diverse disciplines and geographies in global policy processes (including related to sustainable development, environment, disaster risk reduction).
- Liaising with ISC member organizations and partners, including UN organizations.
- Assisting in the organization of scientific events and meetings.
- Providing topic and methodology expertise and advice internally and externally; representing the ISC at meetings, conferences and other events as required.
Liaising internally to ensure project budgetary compliance, communication and policy interfacing, where appropriate, and dissemination of results.
Qualifications, knowledge & experience
Required:
- A post-graduate degree in a natural or social science or humanities in one of the following fields: sustainable development, environment, development, security, international relations, public policy, political science;
- A minimum of 2 years of relevant working experience, preferably at the international level;
- Demonstrated ability in translating technical information into relevant insights for non-experts;
- Ability to coordinate multi-stakeholder projects;
- Capacity to adapt to changing circumstances and work under tight timeframes;
- A full command of written and spoken English.
Desirable:
- Knowledge of the multilateral system and global policy processes;
- Strong interest in science policy interfacing, science advice to policy-makers and science diplomacy at global, regional and national levels;
- Strong interest in working with globally distributed and culturally diverse teams;
- Experience in the design, administration of, and reporting on science projects;
- Experience in supporting technical or scientific committees;
- Working knowledge of French and knowledge of other languages will be considered an asset.
Skills and attributes:
- Excellent written and oral communication skills;
- Ability to write in a concise and engaging manner;
- Analytics and/or programming skills;
- Ability to engage and network across diverse stakeholders in science, policy and other sectors;
- Project and knowledge management skills;
- Ability to operate successfully with a high degree of autonomy;
- Excellent interpersonal skills and capacity to nurture positive and trusted relationships;
- Openness, curiosity and commitment to teamwork;
- Adaptability.
Contact
Questions can be directed to recruitment@council.science.
Application form
Only applications submitted via the form below will be considered.