Research Project Manager

Responsibilities

Indicative Salary Range: €30,000 – €45,000. The salary will be determined based on qualifications, experience, and suitability for the role. 

Probation Period for entry level: 6 (six) months 

CYENS Centre of Excellence (https://cyens.org.cy/) is a leading research and innovation centre based in Nicosia, Cyprus, focusing on interactive media, smart systems and emerging technologies. CYENS works at the intersection of research, technology, creativity and societal impact, bringing together academic, industrial, governmental and civic partners to develop innovative solutions for Cyprus and Europe.

The Role

CYENS is the Coordinator of ViWAS – Virtual Worlds Skills Academy, a major EU-funded project under the Digital Europe Programme. ViWAS aims to bridge the growing skills gap in virtual worlds, virtual reality, augmented reality and extended reality by developing a future-proof training and competence ecosystem for learners, educators, professionals and industry across Europe. The project brings together a large European consortium of beneficiaries and associated partners and will run for 48 months, from May 2026 to April 2030. 

About the Project – DiGiNN 

The Research Project Manager will be responsible for supporting the effective implementation of ViWAS and DiGiNN 2.0 projects on behalf of CYENS, including:

 Project coordination, Reporting and Compliance  

• Support the overall coordination of the two projects in line with the Grant Agreement, Description of Action and Consortium Agreement. 
• Monitor implementation progress across all Work Packages and ensure timely follow-up with WP Leaders and partners. 
• Maintain project documentation and supporting evidence in line with funder requirements. 
• Organise and support consortium meetings, WP Leaders meetings, General Assembly meetings and Project Management Committee meetings. 
• Identify , risks, delays and implementation challenges, and support the development of corrective actions.
  Financial and administrative management

•  Support the financial monitoring of the projects in cooperation with CYENS financial staff. 

• Maintain budget monitoring tools, prefinancing distribution records and partner financial tracking documents. 
• Support partners in understanding reporting requirements, in a Digital Europe lump sum grant. 
• Prepare internal financial monitoring reports and support budget planning and reallocation where required. 
• Support project audits, monitoring exercises and other compliance-related activities. 

Service Delivery, Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

• Support the delivery and coordination of DiGiNN services to SMEs and public sector organizations.
• Coordinate service-related documentation, stakeholder engagement activities,and follow-up actions. 
• Assist in organising workshops, training activities, matchmaking events, awareness campaigns and outreach activities.  
• Contribute to communication, dissemination and promotional activities through events, presentations, reports, newsletters and digital channels. 
• Contribute to strengthening DiGiNN’s role within Cyprus’ digital culture and innovation ecosystem in Cyprus. 

Your profile

General qualifications and requirements

Required Qualifications and Experience

Applicants should have:

• University Degree (Bachelor’s Degree or Degree of a level equivalent to Bachelor’s Degree) in a field relevant to the Centre's activities.
• Master’s degree in a field relevant to the Centre's activities or another relevant field is considered an advantage.
• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience. Experience in an academic, research or innovation organisation will be considered an advantage. 
• Strong understanding of EU project management, reporting, deliverables, milestones, consortium coordination and compliance requirements. 
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to multitask in a high-pressure work environment.
• High level of communication and interpersonal skills and ability to adapt to a multicultural/multinational environment.
• Excellent written and spoken English. 
• Strong drafting skills for reports, minutes, formal correspondence and project documentation. 
• Very good command of MS Office tools, especially Word, Excel and PowerPoint. 
• Ability to work independently, take initiative and follow up proactively with multiple stakeholders. 
• For non-EU applicants a work permit will be required

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in project management, European studies, business administration, public administration, education, digital technologies, engineering, social sciences.

• Knowledge of Greek language.

• Experience with large multi-partner EU projects. 
• Experience with Digital Europe Programme or lump sum grants. 
• Familiarity with EU Funding & Tenders Portal reporting processes. 
• Experience in education, training, digital skills, XR, virtual worlds, innovation ecosystems or technology-related projects. 
• Knowledge of the Cypriot research, innovation and business ecosystem. 
• Certification in Project Management or equivalent (e.g. PMP, Prince2).

Why us?

• The opportunity to manage two flagship EU-funded projects of CYENS. 
• Exposure to European project management and Digital Europe implementation.
• Collaboration with leading stakeholders  from research, industry and the public-sector. 
• A multidisciplinary and international working environment. 
• Professional development opportunities within a leading research and innovation centre.

Application process

For full consideration, interested applicants should submit the following items via the online application form and clearly indicate the position title in their application: 

1. Full CV (including contact details).
2. Cover letter which clearly states: (a) how you envision your role, (b) how your experience and qualifications match the specific position, and (c) the availability date for part-time employment (d) contact details of two referees. 

CYENS Centre of Excellence is committed to equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion. Applications are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of gender, age, disability, nationality, religion, ethnic background or other protected characteristics.

Contact details

About us

CYENS Centre of Excellence (formerly known as RISE) is the Research and Innovation Centre on Interactive media, Smart systems and Emerging technologies empowering knowledge and technology transfer in the region. CYENS CoE is supported by the European Commission, the Republic of Cyprus and its founding Partners, the Municipality of Nicosia, the Max Planck Institute for Informatics (MPI), University College London, the University of Cyprus, the Cyprus University of Technology and the Open University of Cyprus.   

The Centre conducts excellent, internationally competitive scientific research in the areas of visual sciences, human factors and design, communication, and artificial intelligence delivered by high-calibre multidisciplinary research teams. CYENS engages in knowledge transfer and innovation activities aiming to bridge the gap between scientific research and STEM-led innovation and entrepreneurship. 

 CYENS, as a Centre of Excellence, cultivates a culture of innovation and creativity in an inspiring environment filled with academics, researchers, creative and onward-looking people, innovators, entrepreneurs, and practitioners. The Centre operates under the moto “Inspired by Humans Designed for Humans” with the vision to produce world class research that drives innovation towards social and economic benefit while conducting excellent, internationally competitive scientific research in the areas of visual sciences, human factors and design, communication, and artificial intelligence. It sets out to meet the challenge with a total potential funding of more than 30 million Euros for the first 7 years, from a Horizon 2020 Teaming Action and multiple other sources, and a business plan for long-term sustainability and growth.