Constructor Knowledge - Chief of Staff for Prof. Sir Kostya Novoselov
Requirements
• 5+ years as Chief of Staff, Senior EA, or Strategic Advisor supporting world-class scientific or academic leadership • Proven track record managing complex international schedules across multiple time zones and institutions • Experience in academic, research, or science-driven organisations strongly preferred • Demonstrated ability to manage sensitive, high-stakes situations with calm and sound judgement • Competencies & Character • Proactive mindset Anticipates needs before they arise; acts without waiting to be asked • Intellectual curiosity Engages genuinely with the President's scientific and academic world — not just the logistics around it • Operational excellence Implements systems and SOPs to eliminate error at high pace • Precision under pressure Detail-obsessive even when volume is high and changes are rapid • Judgement & discretion Trusted with sensitive institutional, personal, and strategic matters • Adaptive resilience Calm in fast-changing environments; stress-resistant, not avoidant • Communication finesse Writes and speaks at a level appropriate for Nobel Laureate correspondence and Board engagement • Fluent English (written and spoken); German and/or Russian a significant advantage • Willing and able to travel internationally at short notice • Comfortable with a 6-day operational environment and rapid response expectations • Proficient with Outlook, Zoom, project tracking platforms, and AI productivity tools • SUCCESS CRITERIA • SUCCESS CRITERIA • Full operational command of the President's calendar and communication flows • Briefing systems, travel SOPs, and stakeholder directory established • Key relationships built with NUS/IFIM counterparts, Constructor executive team, and Board • The President's time is consistently protected and directed toward highest-value activities • Academic architecture programme has advanced materially — visible milestones achieved • The President describes the CoS as indispensable • Zero missed commitments, zero preparation failures, zero communication surprises • Constructor University Bremen is an English-language private research university in Germany, building a world-class physics-centred academic ecosystem inspired by the traditions of MIPT, Landau, and leading global institutions. The tagline is simple: Constructing the future. • Prof. Sir Kostya Novoselov FRS is a Nobel Laureate in Physics (2010), awarded jointly with Andre Geim for the discovery of graphene. He holds a Royal Society Research Professorship and is a leading figure at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Institute for Functional Intelligent Materials (IFIM). His appointment as President brings world-class scientific credibility and an ambitious vision for Constructor University's academic future. • The Chief of Staff will work at the intersection of Nobel Laureate-level science, institutional strategy, and global academic network-building. It is a rare and extraordinary opportunity.
Responsibilities
• Presidential Time & Agenda Architecture • Own and orchestrate the President's calendar end-to-end — strategic prioritisation, preparation, and protection of deep work time • Manage all inbound requests (academic, institutional, media, VIP) — filter and triage with sound independent judgement • Prepare briefing materials, pre-reads, and context packs for every meeting and engagement • Ensure every commitment has a clear purpose, defined outcome, and proper follow-through • Strategic Programme Execution • Translate the President's academic architecture vision into a tracked programme of University-wide initiatives • Coordinate cross-functionally with academic leadership and executive management to advance presidential priorities at pace • Monitor progress against strategic milestones; surface blockers early and resolve them proactively • Maintain the President's initiative register and drive accountability without creating bureaucracy • Board & Stakeholder Liaison • Prepare materials and briefings for Board interactions; ensure presidential inputs are ready, timely, and impactful • Serve as a trusted interface between the President and the University's senior leadership team • Build and maintain relationships with key external partners: NUS, IFIM, CQT, QuEra, and global scientific networks • Manage Board member relationships on the President's behalf where appropriate • Communications & Correspondence • Draft and manage high-level correspondence, academic communications, and institutional letters on behalf of the President • Ensure tone, precision, and intellectual calibre of all communications reflect the President's standing • Manage the President's representation at events where direct presence is not possible • International Travel & Logistics • Plan and manage all travel end-to-end: itinerary design, transfers, accommodation, visa, briefings, connectivity • Coordinate with NUS/IFIM counterparts on scheduling and joint trips • Maintain a 10-hour rest buffer standard; optimise travel for productivity and recovery • Ensure full calendar sync and briefing packs mirrored for every trip • Academic Initiative Support • Support recruitment of world-class faculty and postdoctoral talent aligned with the President's academic vision • Coordinate logistics of hybrid scientific collaboration model with global research groups • Prepare agendas and outcomes documentation for academic working groups chaired or attended by the President • Assist in building Constructor Labs concept — connecting academic programme to research infrastructure • Operational Infrastructure • Oversee and coordinate the supporting administrative team engaged on President-related activities • Implement SOPs and tracking systems to ensure nothing is missed across parallel workstreams • Manage office-readiness, connectivity, and equipment procurement at Bremen and during travel • Handle confidential matters — institutional, personal, and strategic — with absolute discretion
Apply in one click
Upload My Resume
Drop here or click to browse · Tap to choose · PDF, DOCX, DOC, RTF, TXT