Call for Applications
We are seeking a leading international scientist to serve as the Director of the European Gravitational Observatory (EGO).
Location
Cascina (Pisa), Italy
Expected Start Date
January 1st, 2027
Transition Period
Six months overlap with the current Director (from mid‑2026, actual starting date and financial support to be negotiated).
Term
Three (3) years renewable up to a maximum of five (5) years in total.
Salary
Competitive, commensurate with experience, negotiable.
Introduction
The European Gravitational Observatory (EGO) is a European research infrastructure located near Pisa, Italy. EGO is a Consortium established in 2000 under Italian law by CNRS (France) and INFN (Italy), and joined by NWO‑I (Netherlands), FWO and FRS‑FNRS (Belgium). The mission of EGO is to ensure the operation, maintenance, and development of the Virgo gravitational‑wave detector, which is run, upgraded, and maintained by the VirgoLab Organization. VirgoLab is a distributed laboratory with participation from EGO and the laboratories, institutes, and university departments involved in the Virgo international Collaboration. EGO, as the responsible legal entity, acts as a host Laboratory for VirgoLab in accordance with the EGO statutes.
Location
EGO is located near the town of Cascina, in the beautiful Tuscan countryside near Pisa, about 90 km from Florence and 13 km from the Tyrrhenian coast. Pisa is a centre of academic and scientific excellence in Europe, home to three of the most important universities in Italy and Europe: the University of Pisa, the Scuola Normale Superiore, and the Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna. These are complemented by numerous other research institutions, including a branch of the prestigious National Research Council and the INFN Section of Pisa.
Position Summary
The Director is the legal representative of the EGO Consortium and provides overall strategic, scientific, and administrative leadership of the organization. The Director, in his role of Chair of the VirgoLab Executive Board, ensures the effective functioning of the Virgo gravitational‑wave detector, leads its scientific and technical strategy, manages its financial and human resources, and represents EGO on benefit of the Consortium and represents VirgoLab.
Key Responsibilities
* Strategic and Scientific Leadership: Define and implement EGO’s long‑term vision in alignment with the EGO council; ensure scientific excellence and technical innovation at EGO; promote EGO and Virgo roles in the scientific community; hold the responsibility for the operation, maintenance and development of the Virgo gravitational‑wave detector as chair of the VirgoLab Executive Board.
* Operational and Administrative Management: Legal responsibility for all EGO activities, infrastructures and personnel; oversee daily operations; guarantee safe and reliable functioning of Virgo.
* Financial and Resource Management: Prepare and execute the annual budget; ensure transparent financial reporting; seek for additional external fundings.
* External Relations and Representation: Represent EGO to Member institutions and international partners; foster collaborations; promote EGO’s mission at European and global levels.
Required Qualifications
The successful candidate must hold a recognised scientific standing in experimental physics, preferably in gravitational‑wave research, and have a solid international scientific and management experience related to research infrastructures, preferably in large‑scale facilities. Candidates should have strategic capabilities and excellent operational leadership abilities, and managerial skills, as well as a strong understanding of financial and administrative management in a research context. The candidate must have an outstanding career record of achievements and experience in leading multidisciplinary teams and complex projects within an international environment. Excellent communication and negotiation skills are required, as well as knowledge of research funding programs, including EU programmes, and a strong track record in fundraising is an asset. Fluency in English is essential. Knowledge of Italian language is considered an asset, though not mandatory.
Personal Skills
* Ability to provide visionary leadership and strategic planning.
* Sound judgment and decision‑making under complex conditions.
* Ability to foster collaboration across scientific, technical, and administrative teams.
* Commitment to transparency, integrity, and excellence.
Application Procedure
In observance of the “Gender Equality Plan 2024‑2026”, EGO is committed to promoting procedures that favour gender‑sensitive recruitment, career and appointments, as well as the promotion of women in executive positions. Applications from women will therefore be explicitly encouraged.
Candidates should send their application in English via email, including a cover letter containing a statement of purpose and motivation, a curriculum vitae, and a list of the most relevant academic publications to jobs@ego-gw.eu.
Please note that application documents will be shared with the Members of the Search Committee and the EGO Council members.
Job Opening
31st January 2026
Deadline for submission
31st March 2026, 12.00 p.m. CET
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