Research Team Leader (Internal)

Position: Research Team Leader
 Ranks: Research Lecturer | Research Assistant Professor | Research Associate Professor | Research Professor
 No. of Positions: One (1)
 Department: Research
 Reporting Line: Research Director
 Terms of Employment: Full-time employment (100% FTE). For employees currently employed under a fixed-term contract, the appointment will be formalized through an initial two-year fixed-term employment contract, with the possibility of conversion to an indefinite-term full-time contract following satisfactory performance and subject to the required approvals. 
Funding Arrangements: Initial funding will be shared equally between project funding (50%) and the CYENS central budget (50%). Any changes following the initial two-year period, including the possibility of full funding through the CYENS central budget, will be subject to the Centre's financial position, organisational needs and required approvals. 
Location: Nicosia, Cyprus
 Eligibility: Open exclusively to current CYENS employees (research and non-research personnel) who meet the published eligibility requirements and have completed at least two (2) years of employment at CYENS.
Application Deadline: 2^nd January 2027
Salary: The remuneration offer will be determined based on the successful candidate's academic rank, qualifications, research achievements and relevant experience, in accordance with the applicable CYENS policies. Indicative annual gross starting salary ranges (full-time equivalent):
Research Lecturer: €45.000 - €55.000
Research Assistant Professor: €55.000 - €65.000 
Research Associate Professor: €65.000 - €80.000
Research Professor: €80.000 - €100.000
 
 The Opportunity 
CYENS Centre of Excellence invites applications from its existing research community for the position of Research Team Leader.
This opportunity is intended for researchers within CYENS who are ready to take on a research leadership role and contribute to the further development of the Centre's research activities and strategic priorities.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to establish and lead a new Research Group, co-lead an existing Research Group, or bring complementary expertise to further develop an existing Research Group within the Centre.
The opportunity is aimed at researchers with a strong scientific track record and a clear vision for developing a research programme within CYENS' areas of expertise. Proposed research activities should demonstrate potential for scientific and socioeconomic impact, interdisciplinary collaboration and long-term development and growth.
A dedicated budget of €5,000 will be available to support the development of the Research Group's activities and facilitate its research objectives.
 
About the position:
The Research Team Leader will be responsible for the scientific direction and development of a new or existing Research Group, including its research agenda, team development and RTDI activities.
 
The candidate will be assessed on:

• The candidate’s scientific excellence and research track record. 
• The originality and potential impact of the proposed research. 
• Alignment and synergy with CYENS’ research activities. 
• Potential for interdisciplinary and external collaboration. 
• Proven track record to attract competitive research funding. 
• The feasibility and long-term sustainability of the proposed Group. 

 
The successful candidate will work closely with the Research Director and other CYENS research teams, while developing collaborations with academic, industry and public-sector partners.
 
Key Responsibilities:

• Provide scientific leadership and direction to the Research Group. 
• Develop and deliver the Group’s research agenda and RTDI activities. 
• Conduct and supervise high-quality, internationally competitive research. 
• Recruit, develop and mentor researchers, subject to the Centre’s recruitment processes and available resources. 
• Develop and lead competitive research proposals for European, national and industry-funded programmes. 
• Establish and maintain strategic research and innovation collaborations. 
• Contribute to knowledge transfer, innovation, industrial collaboration and research impact. 
• Publish research findings in high-quality international journals and conferences. 
• Contribute to CYENS’ research strategy and relevant Centre and project activities. 
• Participate in the Centre’s annual performance and evaluation processes, including contribution towards relevant KPIs. 
• Participate actively in the CYENS’ Centre-wide activities, events and initiatives, contributing to the wider research community and objectives.
• Maintain full-time physical presence at CYENS Centre of Excellence.

Skills and Competencies
The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong scientific vision and research leadership. 
• Ability to build, motivate and mentor a high-performing research team. 
• Collaborative and interdisciplinary approach. 
• Excellent communication and networking skills. 
• Ability to identify and develop research and funding opportunities. 
• Ability to connect research excellence with real-world applications and impact.
• Initiative, independence and commitment to research excellence.

Key requirements
Essential Qualifications and Experience 

1. PhD in a relevant field from an accredited institution. Relevant fields within interactive media and emerging technologies. Candidates with expertise in complementary or emerging research areas relevant to CYENS’ research portfolio are also encouraged to apply.
2. Demonstrated research competence and a strong research record, appropriate to the candidate’s proposed research area and academic rank. 
3. Established expertise in a field relevant to CYENS’ areas of research. 
4. Evidence of the ability to develop research collaborations and contribute to competitive research funding. Evidence of research impact and the ability to develop an independent research agenda. 
5. Evidence of the ability to contribute to the development and leadership of a research group. 
6. Excellent written and oral English-language skills.

 
Desirable Qualifications
The following will be considered an advantage:

• International postdoctoral or research experience. 
• Experience in securing and managing European or national research grants. 
• Experience leading multidisciplinary research teams or projects. 
• Experience collaborating with industry, public-sector organisations or other external stakeholders. 
• Experience in knowledge transfer, innovation, technology commercialisation or joint research and IP development. 
• An established international research network.

What CYENS Offers
CYENS offers an international, multidisciplinary research environment at the intersection of Interactive Media, Smart Systems and Emerging Technologies.
Researchers benefit from access to a diverse research community, relevant research infrastructure and opportunities to collaborate with academic, industry and public-sector partners in Cyprus and internationally. The Centre’s environment supports research excellence, interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation and knowledge transfer, with opportunities to participate in European and national research and innovation programmes.
 
In addition, CYENS offers:

• €5,000 Research Development Budget: Available to support research-related travel, internships and other expenses necessary for the development of research activities, subject to CYENS' applicable financial, procurement and approval procedures.
• Opportunities to secure additional research funding through competitive projects, industry collaborations and other research and innovation activities. 
• Long-term career opportunity: The position offers the opportunity to continue developing a research leadership career at CYENS. For employees currently employed under a fixed-term contract, there is the possibility of conversion to an indefinite-term full time contract following satisfactory performance during the initial two-year period, subject to the Centre's needs and required approvals.

 Appointment, Terms of Employment and Remuneration
The appointment to Research Team Leader will be made through a competitive internal selection process. The appointment involves a change in position and responsibilities, with the applicable academic rank and remuneration determined separately, based on the successful candidate's qualifications, research achievements, relevant experience and the applicable CYENS Research Team Leader Ranks and Remuneration Policies.
Terms of Employment
For employees currently employed under a fixed-term contract, the appointment will be formalised through a new two-year fixed-term employment contract commencing on the date of appointment. Continuity of employment with CYENS will be maintained.
Following satisfactory performance in the Research Team Leader role during the initial two-year period, the possibility of conversion to an indefinite-term contract will be considered, subject to the Centre's needs and required approvals.
Remuneration
The proposed academic rank and remuneration package will be determined following assessment of the successful candidate's qualifications, research achievements, relevant experience and suitability for the position, in accordance with the applicable CYENS Research Team Leader Ranks and Remuneration Policies.
The indicative salary ranges are expressed as annual gross salaries on a full-time equivalent (FTE) basis. The final remuneration will be determined within the applicable approved salary range and subject to the required internal approvals.

Interested employees are invited to submit the following documents through the online application form:

1. Cover Letter: Briefly outlining their motivation for applying and suitability for the Research Team Leader position, including how their proposed Research Group would complement CYENS' existing research activities and potential synergies with other Research Groups.
2. Research Group Proposal (maximum 5 pages): Presenting the proposed three-year research vision and agenda, whether establishing a new Research Group or co-leading an existing Research Group. The proposal should outline the scientific objectives, expected impact, proposed team structure, or role within the existing team, resource requirements, potential collaborations, funding opportunities and alignment with CYENS' strategic priorities.
3. Research Profile (maximum 2 pages): Summarising research achievements, contributions to CYENS, research outputs, funding experience and relevant leadership experience.
4. Updated CV: Including academic qualifications, professional experience, research achievements and important publications.

Applicants may also include any additional information they consider relevant to demonstrating their suitability for the position.
Relevant performance evaluation records and demonstrated contributions during the candidate's employment at CYENS may also be taken into consideration as part of the assessment.
Important Information

• Incomplete applications will not be considered. 
• All applications and related information will be treated confidentially and handled in accordance with CYENS' applicable policies and procedures.
• CYENS Centre of Excellence is committed to equal opportunities and fair treatment. All eligible employees are encouraged to apply and will be considered without discrimination on any grounds.

For general enquiries regarding the position or application process, applicants may contact the HR Department at hr@cyens.org.cy.