Martin Penny

Head of Unit - Communication - European Research Council Executive Agency

Brussels Metropolitan Area

About

Experience

  • Head of Unit - Communication at European Research Council (ERC)
    May 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 2 mos

    Head of Communication for Europe's leading funder of frontier research. Line management of a team of 26 staff.

  • Head of Unit - International Cooperation Policy at European Commission
    Jul 2021 - Apr 2024 · 2 yrs 10 mos

    Implementation of the new Global Approach policy for research and innovation. Coordination of EU international relations in research and innovation with North and South America, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, Russia and Central Asia. Line management of 12 staff in Brussels and 10 staff in Brasilia, Canberra, Moscow, Ottawa and Washington DC.

  • European Research Council (7 yrs 1 mo)
    • Head of Unit, Call and Project Follow-up Coordination
      Apr 2021 - Jul 2021 · 4 mos

      Coordination of the preparation and evaluation of all ERC calls for proposals. Coordination of the procedures for the scientific monitoring and follow-up of funded ERC projects. Line management of 40 scientific and administrative staff.

    • Head of Unit: Physical Sciences & Engineering
      Jul 2014 - Apr 2021 · 6 yrs 10 mos

      Management of the scientific evaluation of proposals in the physical sciences and engineering domains and in the monitoring and follow-up of funded projects. Responsible for the line management of 50 scientific and administrative staff and a project portfolio of ca. 2000 active grants

  • Independent Trainer at Independent
    Jan 2000 - Jul 2021 · 21 yrs 7 mos

    Independent trainer, working primarily on transferable skills for doctoral and postdoctoral students, through the Vitae Grad Schools programmes, the British Council Researcher Connect courses worldwide and on individual courses organised by UK universities. Development of new training materials - including participative case studies in the area of science and society and training materials relating to science communication, scientific writing and publication.

  • European Commission (9 yrs)
    • Assistant to the Director General, DG Research & Innovation
      Mar 2012 - Jun 2014 · 2 yrs 4 mos

      Head of the private office of the Commission Director-General for Research and Innovation. Provided strategic and operational advice to the Director-General on the development of policies and programmes for research and innovation, notably the €80Bn Horizon 2020 Programme, the Innovation Union, the implementation of ERA. Acted as the principal point of contact between the Directorate-General and the Cabinet of Commissioner Geoghegan-Quinn

    • Policy Officer - International Relations, DG Research & Innovation
      Mar 2009 - Mar 2012 · 3 yrs 1 mo

      Coordinated EU relations in research and innovation with Russia, Australia, New Zealand, the countries of the Eastern Partnership, Central and South Asia

    • Policy Officer, DG Research & Innovation
      Jul 2005 - Mar 2009 · 3 yrs 9 mos

      Policy development - development of the Commission proposals for the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Development and the annual work plans for the implementation of the programme