Community and Digital Engagement Officer - Science, Technology and Health Policy

Centre for European Policy Studies

Length of contract
1 year

Start date
November 2026

About the Organisation

Founded in Brussels in 1983, CEPS (Centre for European Policy Studies) is a leading think tank and forum for debate on EU affairs, which has been consistently ranked among the world's top 10 world’s best think tanks. CEPS’ distinguishing features include its strong in-house research capacity and an extensive international network of partner institutes. CEPS’ funding comes from a variety of sources, mainly research grants and public procurement, but also from membership and conference fees.

The Energy, Resources, and Climate Change (ERCC) unit is one of CEPS’ largest teams. Its main expertise includes, among others, EU and international climate policy, the energy transition, resources and circular economy policy (including global value chains), sustainable product policy, carbon markets (including the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS)), energy-intensive industries and industrial transformation, energy security and EU electricity and gas markets. The work of the ERCC unit encompasses policy and project work, as well as regularly organizing multi-stakeholder events.

About the role

This position offers an excellent opportunity for an early-career professional to develop expertise at the intersection of digital communications, public engagement and European policy. The successful candidate will gain hands-on experience working with leading researchers, policymakers, industry representatives and other stakeholders across Europe, while helping shape the visibility and impact of CEPS’ work on science, technology, innovation and health policy.

CEPS offers a Learning and Development Programme (including training through our new CEPS Academy) for all staff and encourages professional growth in areas such as strategic communications, digital engagement, content creation, stakeholder outreach and project management. Over time, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to take on increasing responsibility for communication strategy, digital innovation and audience development across CEPS activities.

Responsibilities

Main Tasks:

• You will become a member of CEPS’ staff and work in the HAGRID team (Health, Agriculture, Research, Innovation and Development) and in close cooperation with researchers working on science, technology, innovation and health policy.
• Successful candidate will also work closely and coordinate with the central CEPS Publications, Communications and Outreach (PCO) unit.

Community Building and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Build, grow and maintain an active community of policymakers, researchers, healthcare practitioners, patient advocates, industry leaders and other stakeholders engaged in global health and health innovation policy.
• Contribute to positioning CEPS ’ HELIX initiative (helix.ceps.eu) as a leading platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange and thought leadership.
• Foster interaction within the health policy and R&D community by developing innovative engagement initiatives, online discussions, HELIX-specific newsletters and events, while expanding CEPS’ network of contributors and followers.
• Contribute to the organisation and promotion of workshops, roundtables, and events, supporting the HAGRID project management and research team, and in close coordination with the CEPS PCO unit.

Development of the HELIX Platform and Related HELIX Channels:

• Lead efforts to revamp and continuously improve the HELIX website, enhancing its content, visual appeal, user experience, and overall impact.
• Identify new content formats, contributors, and digital features that enhance HELIX’s user experience and strengthen community engagement.
• Translate complex research and policy analysis into engaging and accessible content for policymakers, researchers, industry stakeholders and the wider public on science, technology and health policy, in the HAGRID team.
• Work closely with researchers and external partners to ensure the platform remains dynamic, timely and relevant.
• Coordinate the publication and promotion of content on the HELIX platform, working closely with researchers and external contributors.

Digital Outreach and Strategic Project Communication:

• Manage and expand the visibility of CEPS-HAGRID’s HELIX activities through the HELIX website and dedicated HELIX social media channels or newsletters that amplify HELIX content.
• Design and implement communication campaigns in close collaboration with the PCO unit to increase the visibility and impact of the CEPS R&D Perspectives series.
• Launch, develop, and manage a dedicated HELIX Substack and LinkedIn channel on science, technology, innovation, and health policy, building a community of subscribers and readers around CEPS-HAGRID expertise.
• Create digital content, including articles, social media posts, newsletters, and edit videos, podcasts, and other multimedia formats on science, technology, and health policy, in the HAGRID team.
• Monitor website and social media analytics of CEPS HELIX and related channels and recommend improvements based on audience engagement and performance metrics.

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Required:

• Passionate about communicating ideas and research to broad audiences.
• Creative, curious and eager to experiment with new communication formats and platforms.
• Combine strategic thinking with hands-on implementation.
• Work effectively with both junior and senior colleagues and organise your own workload.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Possess a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Proactive, self-motivated, result-oriented and entrepreneurial.
• Comfortable interacting with researchers, policymakers, journalists, and external stakeholders.
• Enjoys teamwork and is open to giving and receiving feedback.
• Enthusiastic about contributing to the success of the CEPS HAGRID team and strengthening its visibility and impact in European policy debates.

Background & Qualifications:

• Ideally between one and two years of relevant professional experience in digital communications, media, public affairs, policy communications or a related area.
• Strong interest or prior experience in the fields of science, technology, innovation, and health policy.
• Excellent writing and editing skills and can communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively to different audiences.
• Experience building and engaging communities through events, roundtables, networking activities, and other stakeholder engagement initiatives, and a good understanding of relationship-building and outreach strategies.
• Experience managing social media platforms and developing engaging digital content and infographics, and proficiency with design and layout tools such as Canva.
• Experience with website content management systems and a good understanding of digital communication tools and analytics.
• Experience with newsletter platforms, Substack, podcasting, video editing, graphic design, or multimedia storytelling would be considered an asset.
• Near-native command of English, both orally and in writing. Knowledge of other European languages would be an asset.
• Experience creating and editing multimedia content, including podcasts and videos, and a good understanding of content production and storytelling techniques.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in communications, journalism, public policy, political science, European studies, science communication, or a related field.

Compensation & Benefits

• 20 days of legal holiday entitlement per year, plus an additional two weeks during the Christmas-New Year period 
• Group and hospitalization insurance
• Meal tickets
• Public transport reimbursement
• Possibility to telework in Belgium, 20 days per calendar year of teleworking from abroad
• CEPS offers a Learning and Development Programme for all staff to develop the necessary skills for their position.

Working locations

• Brussels, Belgium

How to apply

• Applicants are requested to:
  • Complete and submit this recruitment form by 4th October 2026 at 23:59 CET
  • Send their CV (in English) to [email protected] by 4th October 2026, 23:59 CET, with Community & Digital Engagement Officer – HAGRID in the subject line. Please include the names and contact details of at least two referees (including your current or last employer). For the CV, please use the Europass template
• For further information about the position, please contact Leonie Kunze, Research Manager, at [email protected]
• Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as applications will be assessed on a rolling basis.
• Applications received after the deadline, incomplete applications, or applications that do not follow the above instructions will not be taken into consideration.
• CV and personal data of non-selected candidates are not shared with anyone outside CEPS and will be deleted immediately after the recruitment process.
• Even if you do not strictly have all the necessary competences for this role but you believe your experience and skills could be valuable and enable you to fulfil the tasks required, we would still highly recommend that you submit an application.

Interviews

• Pre-selected candidates are invited to a short online interview in the week of 19th October 2026. Based on these first interviews, shortlisted candidates will be invited to a longer online interview in the week of 26th October 2026.

Policies

CEPS is an equal opportunities employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all staff. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

Return to listing