ELIXIR is hiring a Governance and Institutional Affairs Officer in Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom, to support the governance and institutional development of its European research infrastructure. The post is Grade 5 or 6, limited to a 3-year project, and applications close on 29 November 2026.
At Youth Works Hub, we went through the whole vacancy (reference JR4688) and set out each duty, requirement and benefit below, so you can decide whether this role fits your profile before you apply.
What ELIXIR Does
ELIXIR brings together leading life science organisations across Europe to coordinate and sustain the data resources, tools and services that enable scientific discovery.
🧬 It unites Europe's leading life science organisations in managing and safeguarding the increasing volume of data generated by publicly funded research.
🔗 It coordinates, integrates and sustains bioinformatics resources across its member states.
🔬 It enables users in academia and industry to access services that are vital for their research.
Why Governance Matters at ELIXIR
ELIXIR describes effective governance as fundamental to its mission. Good governance is what ensures that its international partners can collaborate, make informed decisions and deliver on shared priorities.
The officer plays a central role in that work, helping the organisation's governance bodies and institutional processes run smoothly, transparently and effectively.
A Varied Coordination Role With Senior Stakeholders
This is described as a varied and influential coordination role, with the opportunity to work closely with senior leaders, national representatives, scientific advisers and institutional stakeholders from across Europe.
ELIXIR also says this is more than a traditional committee-support role. The work ranges from:
🌐 Coordinating high-level international meetings.
🗳️ Supporting institutional decision-making.
📐 Improving governance frameworks.
🛠️ Strengthening processes.
🌱 Helping the organisation adapt as it develops.
Who You Would Report To and Work With
🧭 You report to the General Counsel.
🏢 You work across Legal Services, Operations and External Relations.
🤝 You work closely with the Heads of Operations and External Relations and their teams on activities within their respective areas of responsibility.
Supporting Governance at the Highest Level
You coordinate the work of four ELIXIR bodies, working closely with their Chairs, members and senior leadership:
🏛️ The Board.
👔 The Heads of Nodes Committee.
🔭 The Scientific Advisory Board.
🏭 The Industry Advisory Committee.
Enabling Effective Decisions
You prepare high-quality documents and make sure that decisions are recorded and that actions are followed through:
📋 Agendas.
📝 Briefings.
📊 Reports.
✍️ Minutes.
🗃️ Decision records.
Strengthening Institutional Processes
🧱 Supporting governance frameworks.
👤 Supporting appointments.
🪪 Supporting membership processes.
📑 Supporting institutional agreements.
🗂️ Maintaining key governance documentation.
Connecting People Across Europe
You act as a central coordination point for governance-related engagement with:
🇪🇺 Member States.
🔭 Heads of Nodes.
🎓 Advisory bodies.
👥 Colleagues across the ELIXIR community.
────────────────────────────────────────
🌍 All opportunities in United Kingdom →
────────────────────────────────────────
Driving Continuous Improvement
⚙️ Identifying opportunities to modernise governance procedures.
🔄 Streamlining workflows.
🤖 Making better use of digital and AI-enabled tools.
Supporting Responsible Operations
🔒 You help coordinate data protection activities.
⚖️ You help coordinate other defined Legal Services compliance activities, working alongside specialist colleagues.
The Profile ELIXIR Is Looking For
ELIXIR wants someone who combines outstanding organisational skills and attention to detail with analytical thinking, sound judgement and a genuine interest in how international organisations operate.
You are expected to be a confident, resourceful and highly organised professional who can balance meticulous operational delivery with a broader understanding of institutional priorities.
Relevant Experience
You will bring relevant experience in one of these areas or in a comparable environment:
🏛️ Governance.
🪑 Board or committee support.
🌐 Institutional affairs.
🏢 Public administration.
📆 Executive coordination.
What Candidates Should Demonstrate
🗓️ Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage complex activities involving multiple stakeholders and competing deadlines.
✍️ Strong written communication skills, with experience producing clear, accurate and professional documentation.
🕊️ Diplomacy, discretion and confidence when engaging with senior colleagues and international stakeholders.
🧠 Analytical thinking, good judgement and the ability to navigate complex information and processes.
🚀 A proactive approach to improving systems, workflows and ways of working.
💻 Confidence using modern digital collaboration, document-management and AI-enabled tools appropriately.
Experience That Would Be Particularly Valuable
🌍 Experience in an international organisation, research infrastructure, university, public-sector or membership-based environment.
📘 Familiarity with governance frameworks or compliance processes.
You May Also Have
🔬 Familiarity with European research policy and international scientific collaboration.
🧾 Experience supporting formal governance and decision-making processes.
You Do Not Need to Be a Lawyer
ELIXIR states this directly: this is a governance and institutional coordination role. Specialist legal interpretation and advice are provided by ELIXIR's Legal Services team.
Contract and Salary
📄 Contract length: project limited for 3 years.
🏷️ Grade: Grade 5 or 6.
💶 Monthly salary: from £3,452.05 or £3,861.91 after tax, plus generous benefits and financial allowances based on individual circumstances.
🧮 Excluded from the figure: 12.99% personal pension and insurance contributions.
Financial Incentives
👪 Monthly family, child and non-resident allowances.
📈 Annual salary review.
🏦 Pension scheme.
🛡️ Death benefit.
🩺 Long-term care insurance.
🦺 Accident-at-work insurance.
☂️ Unemployment insurance.
Health, Time Off and Flexibility
🏠 Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid working patterns.
🏥 Private medical insurance for you and your immediate family, including all prescriptions and generous dental and optical cover.
🌴 30 days of annual leave per year, in addition to eight bank holidays.
📦 Relocation package including an installation grant, if required (conditions apply).
Campus Life
🚌 Free shuttle bus to and from work.
📚 On-site library.
🏋️ Subsidised on-site gym.
☕ Subsidised on-site cafeteria.
👕 Casual dress code.
⚽ Extensive sports and social club activities, on campus and remotely.
Family Benefits
🧸 On-site nursery.
🤒 10 days of child sick leave.
🍼 Generous paid maternity and parental leave.
🎨 Holiday clubs on campus.
👶 Monthly family and child allowances.
Benefits for Non-UK Residents
🛂 Visa exemption.
🏫 Education grant for private schooling.
✈️ Financial support to travel back to your home country every second year.
🪙 A monthly non-resident allowance.
International Applicants and Inclusion
ELIXIR recruits internationally, and successful candidates are offered visa exemptions.
ELIXIR believes that diverse teams drive innovation and scientific excellence, and it encourages applications from candidates of all genders, identities, nationalities and/or any other diverse backgrounds. Before you apply anywhere, our guide on how we check opportunities and spot fake offers is also worth reading.
The Values of the ELIXIR Hub
The ELIXIR Hub has a strong organisational culture defined by its core values, and it looks to recruit candidates who share these five:
🌟 We work to benefit everyone.
🤲 We are trusted.
🚪 We work with a spirit of openness.
🏆 We strive for excellence.
🫶 We work in an environment of respect.
How to Apply
Submit a cover letter and a CV through the online system. Applications close at 23:59 CET on the closing date, and ELIXIR aims to provide a response within two weeks after the closing date.
You can browse more job openings on Youth Works Hub while you prepare your documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the ELIXIR Governance and Institutional Affairs Officer based?
The vacancy is listed in Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, in the United Kingdom. Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid working patterns, are among the benefits offered.
Who does this position report to?
The officer reports to the General Counsel. The role works across Legal Services, Operations and External Relations, alongside the Heads of Operations and External Relations and their teams.
Do I need a law degree or legal background for this job?
No, the vacancy states that you do not need to be a lawyer. It is a governance and institutional coordination role, and specialist legal interpretation and advice come from ELIXIR's Legal Services team.
What is the salary for this position?
The post is Grade 5 or 6, with a monthly salary from £3,452.05 or £3,861.91 after tax. Generous benefits and financial allowances based on individual circumstances come on top, and the figure excludes 12.99% personal pension and insurance contributions.
How long is the contract?
The contract is project limited for 3 years.
How many years of experience are required?
The vacancy does not state a fixed number of years. It asks for relevant experience in governance, Board or committee support, institutional affairs, public administration, executive coordination or a comparable environment.
Which governance bodies would I support?
You would coordinate the work of ELIXIR's Board, Heads of Nodes Committee, Scientific Advisory Board and Industry Advisory Committee. This involves working closely with their Chairs, members and senior leadership.
Can international candidates apply?
Yes, ELIXIR recruits internationally and offers successful candidates visa exemptions. Applications are encouraged from candidates of all nationalities.
What support is available for non-UK residents?
Non-UK residents receive a visa exemption, an education grant for private schooling, financial support to travel back to their home country every second year and a monthly non-resident allowance. A relocation package with an installation grant is also available if required, subject to conditions.
How much annual leave does the job include?
The post includes 30 days of annual leave per year, in addition to eight bank holidays.
What documents do I need to apply?
You need a cover letter and a CV, both submitted through the online system.
When will I hear back after applying?
ELIXIR aims to provide a response within two weeks after the closing date. Find more opportunities like this one on Youth Works Hub while you wait.
Deadline
⏳ 29 November 2026
Links
📄 Job listing: https://embl.wd103.myworkdayjobs.com/EMBL/job/Hinxton-Cambridgeshire/ELIXIR-Governance-and-Institutional-Affairs-Officer_JR4688
