Research Project Manager

CYENS Centre of Excellence

RESPONSIBILITIES Job Category: Research Support Reporting Line: Head of Research Office, in coordination with the Project PI Supervisory duties: May supervise one or more Project Officer personnel Contract type: Part-time project-based contract (ViWAS and DiGiNN 2.0 projects) for the duration of the projects.  Possibility of extension is available upon performance. Location: CYENS Centre of Excellence, Nicosia, Cyprus Preferred Start Date:July 2026, or as soon thereafter. 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  About CYENS Centre of Excellence 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 seeking a Research Project Manager to support the successful implementation of ViWAS and DiGiNN 2.0 EU funded projects. The successful candidate will coordinate project activities, reporting, financial monitoring, stakeholder engagement and service delivery, ensuring successful implementation of project objectives.   About the Project – ViWAS 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  CYENS is a key partner and co-coordinator of DiGiNN – Cyprus Digital Innovation Hub (www.diginn.eu), the European Digital Innovation Hub of Cyprus. DiGiNN brings together leading national expertise in advanced digital technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, High Performance Computing, Cybersecurity and other digital innovation capabilities, with the aim of supporting SMEs and public sector organisations in their digital transformation journey.  DiGiNN is co-funded by the European Union’s Digital Europe Programmeand the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy of the Republic of Cyprus and will run for 36 months, from September 2026 to August 2029.   Key Responsibilities   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.  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   Desired Qualifications   The following will be considered an advantage:   * 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? What CYENS Offers   * 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 How to Apply   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.  Incomplete applications will not be accepted. In case you have previously applied for a post at CYENS CoE, a new application is required.  Equal Opportunities   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.   All applications are treated with the strictest confidence. CONTACT DETAILS For general enquiries, applicants may contact the HR Department of CYENS, Centre of Excellence at vacancies@cyens.org.cy

CYENS Centre of Excellence

RESPONSIBILITIES Research Group / Project: Visual Computing Group / Pharos-CY Category: An initial one-year full time employment contract will be offered with the possibility for renewal depending on performance and project needs. Location: Nicosia, Cyprus Preferred Start Date: June or as soon thereafter. Application Deadline: 31/07/2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. No. Of Positions: 1 Salary Range: Depending on qualifications and experience. About the project / position: CYENS Centre of Excellence is seeking to recruit a Research Assistant to join the Visual Computing Group and contribute to the Pharos-CY project. Pharos-CY aims to support the development and deployment of advanced, trustworthy, and human-centric AI technologies in Cyprus and the wider region. Within this context, CYENS contributes expertise in visual computing, interactive technologies, AI-enabled data services, digital twins, visual analytics, and applied research that can support both the public and private sectors. The successful candidate will work on research and development activities related to language and AI for Pharos-CY, including areas such as natural language processing, speech processing, multilingual AI, and retrieval-augmented generation. The successful candidate may also contribute to the preparation of project reports and deliverables, research proposals, software prototypes, stakeholder engagement activities, and dissemination of research results. Where applicable, the candidate will be encouraged to publish and present research outputs in international conferences, journals, workshops, and project events. Position holders are expected to contribute to both the research and applied innovation objectives of Pharos-CY, working closely with CYENS researchers, project partners, public-sector stakeholders, private-sector users, and other relevant actors in Cyprus’ AI and data ecosystem. The successful candidate will work under the supervision of the Visual Computing Group Leader.   Responsibilities of Research Assistant:  1. Conduct research and development in natural language processing, speech processing, machine learning, generative AI,  or related areas relevant to Pharos-CY.. 2. Design, implement, test, and document software prototypes, tools, pipelines, and services that support Pharos-CY use cases. 3. Work with text, speech, audio, or other domain-specific datasets, including data preparation, annotation, processing, analysis, and visualization. 4. Contribute to the development of AI-ready datasets and data services that may be used by public-sector and private-sector stakeholders. 5. Support the integration of speech-to-text, subtitling, diarisation, transcription, summarisation, translation, and text classification pipelines.. 6. Participate in project meetings, technical discussions, reporting activities, and coordination with Pharos-CY partners. 7. Contribute to project deliverables, technical documentation, presentations, demonstrations, and dissemination material. 8. Assist in the preparation of scientific publications, research proposals, and innovation activities related to the project. 9. Engage with stakeholders to understand real-world needs and translate them into technical requirements, prototypes, or research tasks. 10. Support the wider activities of the Visual Computing Group and CYENS Centre of Excellence, where relevant. YOUR PROFILE Profile of the ideal candidate:  1. Self-motivated, with the ability to take initiative and work independently. 2. Able to work effectively as part of an interdisciplinary research and development team. 3. Strong in analytical thinking, problem-solving, and attention to detail. 4. Able to translate research ideas into working prototypes, tools, or demonstrators. 5. Dynamic, adaptable, hands-on, and results driven. 6. Comfortable working with researchers, engineers, project managers, and external stakeholders. 7. Able to communicate technical ideas clearly through written reports, presentations, and demonstrations. 8. Interested in applied AI and NLP solutions that can have real impact for Cyprus’ public and private sectors. GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS General qualifications and requirements: 1. University Degree (Bachelor's degree and/or postgraduate degree) in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or another relevant field. 2. Experience in one or more of the following areas: natural language processing, speech processing, computational linguistics, machine learning, deep learning, generative AI, large language models, or AI-enabled software development.  3. Strong programming skills, preferably in Python and/or C++. Experience with relevant libraries and frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, Hugging Face, Transformers, NLTK, scikit-learn, Pandas, NumPy, LangChain, Whisper-family tools, or similar will be considered an advantage. 4. Experience with data processing pipelines, APIs, databases, cloud tools, or software engineering practices will be considered an advantage. 5. Ability to read, understand, and apply technical and scientific literature. 6. Computer literacy and ability to work with collaborative software development tools, such as Git. 7. Excellent written and oral English-language skills. 8. For non-EU applicants, a work permit will be required. Specific requirements for Research Associate positions:  1. University Degree (Bachelor's degree and/or postgraduate degree), in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Natural Language Processing,, Machine Learning, Data Science, Computer Engineering, Speech Technology, or a related area. 2. Strong programming skills in at least one of the following languages: Python. 3. Experience with one or more of the following: NLP, LLMs, speech-to-text, automatic speech recognition, subtitling, text classification, information extraction, summarisation, translation, corpus development, information retrieval, RAG, or AI-enabled language applications. 4. Experience with AI and machine learning frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, Hugging Face, Transformers, scikit-learn, or similar. 5. Ability to independently identify technical problems and carry out research and development work within the scope of the Visual Computing Group and Pharos-CY. 6. Ability to work with domain experts and stakeholders to identify needs, define use cases, and support applied research activities. 7. Previous research experience and high-impact publications on relevant topics will be considered an advantage, especially for PhD holders. 8. Previous industrial, innovation, entrepreneurship, or grant-writing experience will be considered an advantage. 9. Experience with EU-funded or nationally funded research projects will be considered an advantage. 10. Experience with data governance, trustworthy AI, explainable AI, secure data handling, or responsible AI practices will be considered an advantage. WHY US? TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUR PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT BY BEING PART OF A FAST-GROWING RESEARCH AND INNOVATION CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE. A competitive remuneration package will be offered to the successful candidate according to qualifications and experience. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work in an interdisciplinary environment, collaborate with leading researchers and innovators, contribute to a strategic AI initiative for Cyprus, engage with real-world stakeholders, and participate in high-impact research and innovation activities. APPLICATION PROCESS For full consideration, interested applicants should submit the following items via the online application form and mention the position you are applying for: “Application for Research Assistant - Language Technologies and AI - Visual Computing Group / Pharos-CY”: Process for Research Associates:  1. A cover letter which clearly specifies 1) contact details, 2) employment availability date 2. A detailed curriculum vitae in English. 3. Copies of academic transcripts  4. Description of their academic and research experiences as well as any relevant industrial / innovation / entrepreneurship experience, where applicable (500 words maximum). 5. Contact details of one University professor or one industry referee who will provide the reference letters. 6. One (1) representative publications. In case you previously applied for a post at CYENS CoE, a new application is required. CONTACT DETAILS For general enquiries, applicants may contact the HR Department of CYENS, Centre of Excellence at vacancies@cyens.org.cy .

CYENS Centre of Excellence

RESPONSIBILITIES Department: Research / Research Office  No. Of Positions: 1 (one) Administrator Reporting Line: Head of Research Office Supervisory duties: May supervise one or more Project Officer personnel Contract type: An initial two-year employment contract will be offered with the possibility for renewal. Full Time basis Location: CYENS Centre of Excellence, Nicosia, Cyprus Indicative Annual Gross Salary Range: €20,000 – €25,000. The salary will be determined based on qualifications, experience, and suitability for the role.  Probation Period: 6 (six) months Preferred Start Date: August 2026, or as soon thereafter. Application Deadline: 17th of July 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.   The Opportunity  The Research Office plays a central role in supporting the Centre’s research activity, including proposal preparation, project implementation, reporting, internal monitoring, research performance analysis and coordination with researchers, project managers and administrative departments. As CYENS continues to expand its portfolio of competitive European and national research projects, the Centre is looking for a motivated professional who can strengthen the operational capacity of the Research Office and contribute to the smooth implementation of its activities. The successful candidate will support the Head of the Research Office and the wider research management team in maintaining accurate data, monitoring project-related information, supporting internal systems, preparing reports and assisting with the administrative, personnel allocations and financial monitoring of funded projects. Key Responsibilities: The successful candidate will be expected to carry out the following duties:   Research Office Data Management * Maintain and update internal databases, trackers and filing systems. * Prepare data extracts, tables and summaries for management, reporting and decision-making. * Support the improvement and standardisation of Research Office workflows, templates and procedures. Internal Systems and Administrative Support * Enter, update and verify data in CYENS internal systems, including time management and project monitoring tools. * Maintain shared calendars, Research Office records and key project documentation. * Support the filing of Grant Agreements, reports, templates and administrative records. * Assist with meeting preparation, minutes, action lists and general Research Office administration. Research Performance Reporting * Support periodic reporting on Research Department and Research Office performance. * Collect and analyse data on proposals, funded projects, success rates, funding, project activity and workload. * Prepare tables, charts, dashboards and short summaries for management reporting. Project Financial and Budget Monitoring Support * Check project-related expenses against approved budgets and available balances. * Review travel, purchase, equipment and service requests for completeness and budget eligibility. * Liaise with Project Managers, HR, Finance and the Research Office on budget and personnel allocation matters. * Maintain budget monitoring files and flag overspending risks, missing information or inconsistencies. YOUR PROFILE Skills and Competencies The ideal candidate will have: 1. Excellent organisational, administrative and communication skills. 2. Strong attention to detail and accuracy in data entry and document management. 3. Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines, both independently and as part of a team. 4. Professional attitude, discretion and reliability. GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS Key requirements Essential Requirements 1. University Degree (Bachelor’s Degree or Degree of a level equivalent to Bachelor’s Degree) or Diploma or Certificate or other study title or qualifications in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance or another relevant field. 2. Very good command of Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office tools. 3. Ability to work with databases, spreadsheets, online platforms and digital filing systems. 4. Good understanding of budgets, financial data and administrative procedures. 5. Language requirements: Excellent written and oral English-language skills are essential.    Desired Qualifications and Experience The following will be considered an advantage: * Previous experience in a research organisation, university, Centre of Excellence or EU-funded project environment. * Experience with EU or national funded projects, project administration, reporting or financial monitoring. * Experience with timesheet systems, project management systems, ERP platforms, dashboards or performance statistics. * Knowledge of Greek. WHY US? What CYENS Offers CYENS offers the opportunity to work in a dynamic and growing research and innovation environment, supporting the implementation of national and European research projects with significant scientific, technological and societal impact.   The successful candidate will become part of a multidisciplinary Centre of Excellence and will contribute directly to the professionalisation and efficient operation of research management and project support services at CYENS.   The position offers exposure to European research funding programmes, project management processes, internal performance reporting and the operational management of a diverse research portfolio.   APPLICATION PROCESS 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 outlining:  1. your suitability for the role;  2. your motivation for applying; and  3. your earliest available start date. 3.  contact details of two referees.  Important Information * Incomplete applications will not be considered.  * Applicants who have previously applied for a position at CYENS are required to submit a new application.  * All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.  * CYENS Centre of Excellence is an equal opportunity employer. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, age, disability, nationality, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, or any other personal characteristic. CONTACT DETAILS Enquiries  For general enquiries, applicants may contact the HR Department at vacancies@cyens.org.cy.