Director Research, Technology and Innovation (RTI)

Director Research, Technology and Innovation (RTI) Contract type:Temporary agent Directorate:Research, Technology and Innovation Directorate (RTI) Group:N.A. Grade:AD14 Level of Security Clearance:SECRET UE/EU SECRET Management of staff:Yes Location:Brussels Indicative starting date:01/05/2027 Closing date for applications:20/10/2026 - DOWNLOAD - BACKGROUND THE AGENCY'S WAY OF WORKING THE RESEARCH, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION DIRECTORATE (RTI) DUTIES ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA SELECTION CRITERIA APPOINTMENT AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT FOR TEMPORARY AGENTS AT EDA INDEPENDENCE AND DECLARATION OF INTEREST EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES APPLICATION PROCEDURE DATA PROTECTION ## 1. BACKGROUND The European Defence Agency (EDA) was established on 12 July 2004, and is governed by Council Decision (CFSP) 2015/1835 defining the statute, seat and operational rules of the European Defence Agency. The Agency has its headquarters in Brussels. The main task of EDA is to support the Council and the Member States in their effort to improve the Union's defence capabilities in the field of crisis management and to sustain the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) as it currently stands and as it develops in the future. The Agency is structured into four directorates. The Corporate Services Directorate (CSD) and three operational directorates: Industry, Synergies and Enablers (ISE); Capability, Armament & Planning (CAP); Research, Technology and Innovation (RTI). ## 2. THE AGENCY'S WAY OF WORKING The Agency is an “outward-facing” organisation, constantly interacting with its shareholders, the participating Member States, as well as with a wide range of stakeholders. It works in an integrated way, with multi-disciplinary teams representing all of the Agency’s functional areas, to realise its objectives. Its business processes are flexible and oriented towards achieving results. Staff at all levels need to demonstrate the corresponding qualities of commitment, flexibility, innovation, and team-working; to work effectively with shareholders and stakeholder groups, formal and informal; and to operate without the need for detailed direction. ## 3. THE RESEARCH, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION DIRECTORATE (RTI) The Research, Technology & Innovation Directorate (RTI) promotes and supports defence research at EU level. Based on the Overarching Strategic Research Agenda (OSRA), developed together with the Member States, the Directorate coordinates and plans joint research activities and the study of technical solutions to meet future operational needs. The RTI Directorate provides support to Member States and to the European Commission for the Preparatory Action for defence research, including its implementation, and the research dimension of the European Defence Fund. The RTI directorate also ensures the promotion of innovation in defence and the exploitation of synergies at EU level with civil research in dual-use technology fields. At present, the RTI Directorate comprises two Units, the EU-funded Defence Research Unit and the Technology & Innovation Unit, as well as the Hub for European defence Innovation (HEDI) and the RTI Coordination Team, with the following key tasks: - The EU-funded Defence Research Unit: upstream, implementation and downstream support linked to defence research activities funded by the EU budget under delegation by the European Commission. - The Technology & Innovation Unit: facilitation of the work of the Capability Technology Groups (CapTechs) and the Energy & Environment Working Group as well as development and management of ad hoc research activities based on sectoral Strategic Research Agendas. - HEDI: focal point for defence innovation, driving the development of military capabilities while strengthening cooperation between EU Member States and associated countries. HEDI’s mission is to turn promising ideas into usable defence capabilities faster, while supporting EU defence priorities and strengthening Europe’s technological edge. - The RTI Coordination Team: coordination of the RTI Directorate’s contributions to EDA’s transversal activities (such as capability development priorities (CDP), Capability Annual Review on Defence (CARD), Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), and Key Strategic Activities (KSA); overview of the Agency’s research portfolio. ## 4. DUTIES The Research, Technology and Innovation (RTI) Director is accountable to the Chief Executive as Head of the RTI Directorate. Supported by the Heads of Units and Teams, the jobholder will be responsible for providing strategic leadership and direction to the Agency’s activities in defence research, technology and innovation, supporting Member States in identifying, developing and maturing technologies that respond to current and future defence capability needs. The RTI Directorate promotes and supports collaborative defence research and innovation at EU level, including through the coordination and management of cooperative R&T activities, the Capability Technology Groups (CapTechs), EU-funded defence research activities and the Hub for EU Defence Innovation. It also ensures the Directorate’s contribution to EDA’s wider capability development and defence initiatives and promotes coherence and synergies with relevant EU and international activities Reporting to the Chief Executive, the RTI Director will have overall managerial responsibility for the Directorate and provide strategic advice on defence research, technology and innovation. The jobholder will drive cooperation with Member States and engage with EU institutions, industry, research and technology organisations, academia and other relevant stakeholders, ensuring that research and innovation activities contribute effectively to European defence priorities and the development of future military capabilities. More specifically, the jobholder will be responsible for the following activities: - translate the Agency’s mission, strategy, work programme and priorities into a coherent vision, objectives and deliverables for the Directorate; - provide strategic vision, direction and leadership for the Directorate, ensuring, with the support of the Heads of Unit and relevant team leads, coherence across its research, technology and innovation activities and programmes; - lead and oversee the Agency’s activities in defence research, technology and innovation, ensuring that they address Member States’ current and future defence capability needs and contribute to relevant EU defence priorities; - steer the development and implementation of collaborative R&T activities, including those deriving from the Overarching Strategic Research Agenda (OSRA) and the work of the Capability Technology Groups (CapTechs); - provide strategic direction for EDA’s role in EU-funded defence research, including support to Member States and the European Commission in relation to the research dimension of the European Defence Fund and other relevant EU initiatives; - provide strategic direction for defence innovation activities, including through HEDI, promoting the maturation of innovative solutions and their contribution to the development of military capabilities; - promote synergies between defence and civil research in relevant dual-use technology fields and facilitate the exploitation of technological and innovation opportunities for defence; - build and sustain strong cooperation with Member States, the European Commission, the Council, the EEAS and other relevant European and international stakeholders in the fields covered by the Directorate; - develop and maintain appropriate engagement with industry, research and technology organisations, academia and other relevant stakeholders across the defence research, technology and innovation ecosystem; - ensure the Directorate’s effective contribution to EDA’s transversal activities and close cooperation with the other Agency Directorates, promoting coherence between research, technology, i