Recruitment of a Project Manager for the ‘Apprentice Researchers’ project organised by L’Arbre des Connaissances (Institut de recherche, Saint-Louis, Paris, France)

asso.nba@gmail.com

Application deadline: July 26, 2023.

Starting date: September 2023

Background

L’arbre des Connaissances

L’Arbre des Connaissances (ADC) is an association of researchers, established in 2004, dedicated to raising awareness about the world of science among middle and high school students. To achieve this mission, ADC has developed and implemented several nationwide programs, including:

  1. The Apprentice Researcher project which provides middle and high school students with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of research.
  2. The Play & Debate project which promotes innovative exchanges between scientists and citizens, addressing societal expectations and questions.
  3. The MAAD (Mechanisms of Alcohol and Drug Addictions Digital) project which aims at making addiction neuroscience research and evolving knowledge accessible to counter misinformation.

The Apprentice Researchers Program

Apprentice Researchers is implemented nationwide, partnering with nearly 50 university campuses and research centres, along with 70 middle schools and high schools. Each research center designates a local coordinator, a volunteer research professional who serves as the primary contact person for the association.

For the past 20 years, Apprentice Researchers has provided regular opportunities for middle and high school students to work in local research laboratories throughout the school year.

The program has 3 main objectives:

  1. Empowering young people by fostering critical thinking, autonomy, self-confidence, and self-esteem
  2. Inspiring interest in science through hands-on experience.
  3. Training research professionals in scientific mediation.

Paired in teams, students collaborate with volunteer research professionals, including, researchers, engineers, doctoral and postdoctoral students, on scientific projects rooted in current research. This hands-on approach provides them with the practical experience in experimental methodology and allows them to explore research careers.

At the culmination of the school year, students present their work at the Apprentice Researchers Congresses which are hosted by partner research centres and are open to the public. Through these presentations, students become mediators, sharing the knowledge they have acquired with others.

Job description

The Apprentice Researchers department, consisting of two coordinators, oversees the national project. Reporting to the department manager, the Project Manager will be responsible for:

  • Coordinating the Apprentice Researchers program by:
  1. Managing a network of 300 to 400 research professionals across 50 Apprentice Researchers sites and collaborating with approximately 90 teachers from 75 educational institutions.
  2. Structuring the network by ensuring quality interactions between the association, local coordinators, and research sites. This includes university-level and regional coordination.
  3. Facilitating the volunteer network through co-organising annual seminars for coordinators, teachers, and webinars for supervisors.
  4. Creating and updating communication and support materials for local coordinators, supervisors, and teachers.
  5. Managing internal communication within the network
  6. Promoting external engagement
  7. Developing communication materials
  8. Handling media relations
  9. Thematic monitoring
  10. Managing social media.
  • The national coordination of the Apprentice Researchers program by:
  1. Providing operational support for key milestones, such as initial setup meetings, program presentations, candidate selection, pair formation, congress preparation, laboratory session monitoring, and debriefing meetings.
  2. Managing administrative aspects, including internship agreements, image rights, and partnership agreements.
  3. Assisting in organising the 25 Apprentice Researchers congresses, handling communication, logistics, representation, and attending events.
  4. Defining and collecting evaluation indicators and data.
  • Participating actively in the association’s activities by:
  1. Attending association meetings (Board of Directors, General Assembly, team meetings).
  2. Contributing to regular administrative tasks, such as travel arrangements and maintaining the contact database.
  3. Assisting in report writing for funders.
  4. Contributing to the preparation of the activity report.

The position offers a full-time permanent contract (CDI) for 35 hours per week or a fixed number of working days per year (213 days). There is the possibility of remote work (1 to 2 days per week). Additional benefits (beyond the legal requirements) include telework allowance, 6 weeks of paid leave. Moreover, nationwide travels are expected (approximately 10 trips per year).

The work location is at the Institut de Recherche Saint-Louis, Paris 75010. The monthly gross salary is of €2200 gross per month, excluding annual bonus.

Profile

Candidates are expected to have :

  • At minima, a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field related to the expected skills.
  • Knowledge of professional sectors such as scientific culture, national education, and/or research is advantageous.
  • Project management skills, particularly in cultural and/or scientific mediation.
  • Ability to coordinate a network of volunteers and foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
  • Strong interpersonal skills.
  • Effective written and verbal communication.
  • Teamwork ability.
  • Organisational skills, that includes prioritisation, anticipation, and the ability to establish and follow a timeline.
  • Flexibility, adaptability, and versatility.
  • Communication skills, including proficiency in social media, press relations, and digital tools such as Google Suite, Adobe, and WordPress.

Familiarity with project tracking and collaborative work tools is desirable. Familiarity with nonprofit organisations is a plus.

How to apply?

To apply, a cover letter and CV should be sent via email before July 26, 2023, to Vanessa Berthomé, Project Manager Apprentice Researchers: vberthome.adc@33claveriegmail-com

Useful links

  1. For more information about L’arbre des Connaissances: https://arbre-des-connaissances-apsr.org/
  2. For further job details : link