About the CAJAL Advanced Neuroscience Training Programme

The CAJAL Programme represents commitment by five partner institutions – FENS, IBRO, the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, University of Bordeaux and the Champalimaud Foundation – to establish a dedicated hands-on neuroscience training hub in Europe for the next generation of neuroscientists. Since 2015, the Cajal programme has offered hands-on training in a variety of different neuroscience areas in two state-of-the-art facilities: the Bordeaux School of Neuroscience (Bordeaux, France) and the Champalimaud Centre of the unknown (Lisbon, Portugal). In 2019, the Cajal Programme was established as an independent non-profit association with a central office in Belgium. Since then, the Cajal Programme has expanded its training activities to provide on-site as well as new online courses, called NeuroKits. The uniqueness and success of the Cajal courses is the combination of high-quality teaching with extensive practical and hands-on experience on technology and methods of neuroscience.

More information can be found here

The position of Programme Administrator

The Cajal Programme is looking for a Programme Administrator (PA) who will work under the guidance of the Executive Director (ED) to ensure the good running of the Cajal on-site and online course programme. The PA will provide support to the ED in managing the day-to-day tasks of the Cajal association and the development of new training initiatives.

Under the responsibility and guidance of the ED and the Cajal Steering Committee, the role of the PA includes the following tasks:

Administration

  • Provide support to leadership and board meetings (support ED with agenda, documents and minutes)
  • Reply to general enquiries sent to the office
  • Manage day to day office administration including accounting

Course management

  • Ensure the implementation of the Cajal on-site courses:
    • Follow up with course directors about applications, promotion etc.
    • Communicate with students on application, registration, survey etc.
    • Ensure good communication with the local venue administrations
  • Support the ED to further develop new training initiatives (logistic improvements, contact with schools directors in Universities/Institutes throughout the world etc.)
  • Ensure a programme monitoring system (alumni, statistics etc.)

Communication

  • Support the ED in managing the Cajal website
  • Manage Cajal social media accounts
  • Support the ED in developing promotional material (brochures etc.)
  • Manage the promotional course material (notepads, pens, bags etc.)
  • Prepare newsletters
  • Coordinate Cajal’s presence at conferences or meetings

Qualifications and skills

  • Project or programme coordination experience, preferably in a non-profit organisation

  • Knowledge in communication: social media management, newsletter etc.

  • Experience in administrating a non-profit organisation is an asset

  • Experience in accounting is an asset

  • Scientific background (Msc, PhD or MD) related to brain research is an asset

  • Good level in both written and oral English is required, proficiency in French is an asset

  • Ability to work independently and with multicultural teams

  • The candidate should be allowed to work in Europe, and already, or plan to, be based in Belgium

What we offer

You will be working in a small but driven team, which allows learning & personal development possibilities.

You will be able to contribute to the development of new hands-on training activities targeted at early-career neuroscientists all over the world. You will have the opportunity to help making training more accessible and improve inclusion and diversity within the Cajal programme.

The position offers a good degree of independence with flexibility in terms of working days/hours. The Cajal Central office is based in Brussels, in the FENS – Federation of European Neuroscience Societies office (rue d’Egmont 11 – 1000 Brussels), however working from home – in Belgium – on certain days can be negotiated. 

The position will occasionally involve travelling and working on weekends or evenings in connection with events or meetings.

The Cajal Central Office is an inclusive and supportive atmosphere and works in close collaboration with the Cajal Leadership, composed of volunteer scientists from all over the world.

The Cajal Programme is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability or age.

Starting date: as soon as possible

Application process

Please send your cover letter and CV in one PDF file as attachment by email to the attention of Dr Elena Dreosti, Executive Director, to info@cajal-training.org, and indicate ‘Cajal Programme Administrator application’ in the subject line.

The cover letter should discuss how the candidate fulfils the responsibilities and meets the qualifications of the position as well as outlining their motivation for seeking the position. Contact information of a referee should also be included.

Deadline for application: We will start reviewing applications on 20th October but applications are still welcome till end of November.