Job description

AION Synapse Foundation, an international foundation established in the Dubai International Financial Centre — DIFC, is seeking a Scientific Director & Head of Research Integrity to lead its scientific strategy, research governance and institutional integrity framework.

This is a full-time, on-site executive position based in Dubai.

The selected candidate will ensure that AION’s calls for proposals, grant programmes, research initiatives and funded projects meet international standards of scientific quality, ethics, transparency, independence and methodological rigour.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead AION’s scientific strategy and research governance framework.

• Develop policies on research integrity, research ethics and conflicts of interest.

• Establish standards for scientific evaluation, peer review and project monitoring.

• Coordinate independent evaluators, researchers, specialists and scientific advisers.

• Review the scientific and methodological quality of proposals and funded projects.

• Develop procedures to prevent and address plagiarism, research misconduct and ethical breaches.

• Promote open science, responsible data management and transparent research practices.

• Establish and coordinate AION’s Scientific and Impact Council.

• Build partnerships with universities, research centres, foundations and international funders.

• Support international research, cooperation and funding proposals.

• Advise AION’s leadership on scientific, academic and ethical matters.

• Represent the Foundation in scientific, academic and international forums.

REQUIRED PROFILE

• Completed PhD in science, engineering, technology, health, education, social sciences, public policy or a related field.

• Significant experience in scientific research, academic leadership, research management or institutional leadership.

• Experience evaluating research projects, publications, grants or scientific programmes.

• Strong knowledge of research integrity, ethics, peer review and conflict-of-interest management.

• Ability to develop institutional policies, protocols and scientific procedures.

• Excellent leadership, analytical, communication and academic writing skills.

• Experience working with universities, research centres, funders or international organisations.

• Professional fluency in spoken and written English.

• Spanish is valued but is not a mandatory requirement.

PARTICULARLY VALUED

• Previous experience as a Research Director, Dean, Vice-Rector, Principal Investigator or Scientific Programme Director.

• Participation in scientific committees, ethics committees, editorial boards or international evaluation panels.

• Experience managing or evaluating competitive grants.

• Knowledge of open science, data protection, intellectual property or research involving human participants.

• Experience in international cooperation, fundraising and academic partnerships.

• A verifiable scientific record through publications, ORCID, Google Scholar or institutional profiles.

WHAT AION OFFERS

• A strategic executive role in a growing international foundation.

• Full-time employment under the applicable DIFC employment framework.

• Medical insurance.

• Employment visa and residence sponsorship for eligible international candidates.

• Employer contributions to the applicable DIFC workplace savings scheme.

• 25 working days of paid annual leave.

• Relocation support to Dubai.

• One annual return flight to the employee’s home country.

• Professional equipment and an on-site workplace in Dubai.

• Participation in international research, cooperation and innovation initiatives.

Applications should include an updated CV, motivation letter, evidence of the completed PhD, LinkedIn profile, academic profile and a brief summary of relevant experience.

AION Synapse Foundation evaluates candidates based on merit, qualifications, professional integrity and suitability for the role.

Skills

Scientific Leadership, Research Governance, Research Integrity, Research Ethics, Peer Review, Scientific Evaluation, Grant Evaluation, Research Programme Management, Academic Leadership, Policy Development, Conflict of Interest Management, Open Science, Responsible Data Management, Research Methodology, Scientific Writing, International Cooperation, Academic Partnerships, Fundraising, Team Leadership