23 July 2026
Human Technopole, a leading biomedical and life sciences research institute based in Milan, is seeking three highly qualified candidates to join its Management Committee, the governing body responsible for the operational leadership of the Foundation.
The Committee appoints Centre Directors through international selection procedures, sets up recruitment commissions for scientific and technical staff, defines the Foundation’s internal regulations, proposes amendments to the Statute, and submits the economic plan and financial statements to the Supervisory Board. It is a role of substantial responsibility, requiring sound judgment, institutional credibility, and a genuine ability to lead complex organizations.
The Foundation welcomes applications from candidates with different professional backgrounds, recognising that the effectiveness of the Management Committee depends on the complementary expertise of its members. Candidates may have a distinguished scientific career and/or significant administrative, managerial, legal, financial and/or executive experience, provided they demonstrate the leadership capabilities required to contribute to the governance of a major international research institution. The final composition of the Management Committee will be determined following an overall assessment of all applications, with the objective of ensuring an appropriate balance of scientific, managerial and governance expertise. Accordingly, candidates, regardless of their professional background, may apply for any of the three positions, provided they meet the requirements set out below.
Desired profiles and competencies
Candidates with a scientific background are expected to demonstrate several of the following qualifications and experience:
- Senior scientific career in biomedicine, with international recognition in the field
- Direct experience leading research groups, departments, or institutes of significant size and complexity in private and public organizations
- Familiarity with international research evaluation standards (e.g., ERC, NIH, Wellcome Trust) and recruitment practices for senior scientific staff
- Active network within the international scientific community
- Working knowledge of how research funding, scientific governance, and career progression operate at an institutional level
Candidates with an administrative, managerial or executive background are expected to demonstrate several of the following qualifications and experience:
- Senior management experience in large, complex private or public organizations
- Strong competence in at least one of the following areas: financial planning and budget oversight, governance and regulatory drafting, or human resources management at executive level
- Familiarity with the legal and organizational framework governing foundations, research institutions, or public-interest bodies
- Demonstrated ability to operate within collegial governing bodies, balancing decision-making autonomy with accountability to oversight structures
Requirements applicable to all candidates
Regardless of their professional background, all candidates are expected to demonstrate:
- Proven track record of leading complex organizations, with documented results
- Recognized integrity, independence, and absence of conflicts of interest with the Institute’s centres, researchers, or staff
- Genuine availability of time to fulfill the role effectively — this is not a symbolic appointment
- Strong collegial attitude and ability to work constructively within a collective decision-making body
- Fluency in Italian and English
- Familiarity with the governance, evaluation and accountability mechanisms typically adopted by international research organisations.
Selection principles
The profiles described above are intended to identify the range of competencies sought by the Foundation and should not be interpreted as separate or reserved positions. The Supervisory Board will retain full discretion in determining the combination of candidates that best ensures the overall balance of expertise, experience and leadership required for the effective functioning of the Management Committee.
How to apply
Candidates are invited to submit:
- a curriculum vitae, and:
- a motivation letter (maximum 2 pages) describing their leadership experience, the competencies they would bring to the Management Committee, and the reasons for their interest in serving Human Technopole.,
Applications should be submitted to [email protected] by 15 October 2026.
Human Technopole is committed to gender balance and diversity in its governing bodies and encourages applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, nationality, or background.
The appointment is for a four-year term and may be renewed only once.
Remuneration: up to € 30k gross/year
