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Research Support Officers

Working Group

Chair: Adéla Jiroudková

Adéla Jiroudková serves as the Head of the Research Support Office at Charles University, bringing over a decade of specialized experience in research administration to her role. Her journey in this field began with a position as Project Manager, where she was responsible for both pre-award and post-award management. Adela now directs a wide array of research support activities, from project planning to funding. In addition to her primary responsibilities, she actively contributes to various institutional initiatives, such as the implementation of the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) and the Gender Equality Plan. On the national level, Adela serves as a Board Member for CZARMA, the Czech counterpart of the European Association of Research Managers and Administrators (EARMA).

Vice-Chair: Jutta Schloon 

Dr. Jutta Schloon is a Senior Research Advisor at the University of Bergen’s Division for Research and Innovation. She provides comprehensive pre-award services to researchers seeking European funding and large national grants, with a particular focus on the Social Sciences and Humanities. In addition, she coordinates the Trond Mohn Research Foundation-UiB Career Program for young researchers. Jutta holds a PhD in Literary Studies and has an academic background in German Studies, French Studies, and Business Administration. Her extensive international experience spans both the academic and cultural sectors, having worked in Germany, Switzerland, France, and Norway. Jutta began her career in research management as a scientific coordinator for a Collaborative Research Centre at the University of Freiburg, Germany, before relocating to Norway in 2013.

Working Group Focus

The Coimbra Group elevates research as a key component alongside education and innovation within its member institutions, addressing challenges at various scales. It provides a unique platform for shaping European research policies and fostering best practices in research support. The Research Support Officers WG unite over 60 university representatives to enhance research strategies through idea exchange and expert collaboration.

Actively engaging with European Research Area (ERA) priorities, the group focuses on:

Collaborative synergy: Strengthening interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral research collaborations, ensuring alignment with ERA’s strategic framework on research integrity, security, and AI in research.

Strategic policy advocacy: Assisting the Executive Board in shaping research policy, crafting position papers on European Research Policy, and engaging with other stakeholders. This aligns with ERA’s focus on inclusive and sustainable research environments, open science, and research security.

Best practice & experience sharing: Hosting experts and knowledge-sharing events on research management, funding, and policy, aligning with ERA’s knowledge valorisation and excellence agenda.

Facilitating knowledge exchange: Promoting mobility of research support staff to enhance collaboration and expertise sharing across European institutions, contributing to research careers and mobility objectives of ERA.

Priorities for 2025-2026

  • Exploring Generative AI in Research Management – Understanding AI-driven tools for enhancing productivity, in line with ERA’s focus on AI in science and research assessment reform.
  • Best Practice in Research Support within European University Alliances – Strengthening international research competitiveness and collaboration.
  • Synergies between Education and Research – Enhancing the integration of teaching and research for societal impact and excellence.
  • Enhancing Research Resilience & Crisis Management – Developing strategies for research continuity, aligned with ERA’s research security framework.
  • Research Integrity and Ethics – Supporting ethical research practices and integrity in response to evolving challenges in the research landscape.

Recent highlights since June 2024

  • March 2025, RSO WG study trip to Brussels
    • Purpose: Engage with key EU institutions to enhance RSOs’ strategic knowledge and collaboration.
    • Meetings with EU institutions: Discussions with the ERC Executive Agency, DG EAC’s MSCA Unit, and DG RTD on research funding, evaluation, and future framework programmes.
    • Networking & strategy development: Exchange with the Austrian Liaison Office and UiB Brussels Office on stakeholders’ communication and collaboration.
  • November 2024, RSO WG meeting at the University Coimbra
    • Focused on generative AI in proposal development and general research support work.
    • Key topics included:
      • Presentation on Responsible AI Use in Research by the University of Bologna’s ARIC – Research Division’s approach.
      • Hands-on showcase on how AI tools are being integrated into everyday office work and proposal writing.
      • Discussions on AI in research support, including:
        • A repository of AI-related events.A list of common-use AI tools for research support.
        • A list of common-use AI tools for research support.
        • Further investigation into AI’s role in research support.

Ongoing / Forthcoming activities 2025-2026

  • Online RSO WG meetings every two months, sharing best practices on various topics and the latest EU policy developments. Several topics have already been identified:
    • Best practices on Gender & Research – sharing insights on promoting gender equality and inclusive research environments
    • RM Framework practices – exploring how we are approaching this and the possible implementation of the RM Framework
    • ResearchComp – how do you implement this with your HR services, and how sustainable is it?
    • Progress in the use of generative AI in daily work
    • Research security and dual-use of results
    • Exchange of knowledge on how we are working with audits – can audits influence the financial services of the university?
  • Discussion on the first Work Programme for FP10 (2026) – providing input to shape future European funding priorities.
  • Exploring funding opportunities via COST.
  • Regular RSO WG Spring meeting in Brussels with the European Commission.

Contact person at the CG Office: Emmanuelle Gardan (gardan@coimbra-group.eu)