Events Programme Officer

About you

As the Events Programme Officer for the Federation of European Microbiological Societies (FEMS), you play a key role in delivering impactful experiences for attendees and advancing scientific exchange. Reporting to the Events Manager, you will ensure smooth programme execution for our flagship event, curate essential content, and support researchers in sharing their work.

We seek a highly organized, communicative team player who values the power of events to connect people and foster knowledge. Confidence in engaging with both microbiology experts and meetings industry professionals is essential. The role requires familiarity with microbiology or experience in academic/scientific events, as it involves understanding the academic community and basic scientific literacy.

Key responsibilities

• Coordinate the development of the scientific programme for our flagship event, FEMS MICRO: Congress & Exhibition (typically 2000+ participants, including 130+ speakers and approx. 1500 poster presenters).
• Coordinate abstract submissions, peer review, topic allocation, and programme scheduling using abstract-management platform.
• Support the design of innovative and balanced scientific programmes in collaboration with the Programme Committee and Senior staff.
• Support in facilitating committee workflows, including agendas, content briefings and meeting minutes.
• Contact (keynote) speakers and suggesting cutting-edge topics and people to present at our events.
• Track key performance indicators, such as abstract submission and evaluation results in close collaboration with the Events Manager for programme promotion and reporting.
• Identify opportunities to reuse content for other FEMS activities and create synergies with FEMS publishing, in collaboration with the Journals publishing team.
• Assist with other events-related logistics.

Requirements and competencies

• At least 2–4 years of experience in a similar programme, project management or event role, with a proven track record in delivering scientific programmes for larger international conferences.
• Experience with the full congress lifecycle: from call for submissions to post-event reporting to managing complex timelines and workflows with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to identify emerging topics, speakers and industry partnerships for programme enhancements.
• An excellent communicator able to build and maintain relationships in an international environment with academia, industry partners and internal stakeholders.
• Ability to understand microbiology or life sciences concepts, interpret scientific content and translate technical discussions into clear, actionable programme decisions.
• Proficient in Microsoft 365, abstract management tools, project management software, CRM systems and data analysis.
• Proactive, able to work independently and collaboratively, with an intrinsic motivation to learn and enhance processes.
• Able to keep multiple projects on track and meet internal and external deadlines.
• Excellent fluency in written and spoken English.
• A valid work permit and living in the Netherlands.

What we offer you

We are an inclusive organization that values equal opportunities. We are keen to attract talented individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds. We offer:

• Salary: a starting gross full-time salary of between EUR 3,350 and EUR 3,750 per month, depending on work experience and education (full time is 36-hours a week)
• Duration: an initial contract for 12 months from the commencement of employment, with an option of extension
• Hybrid working: we work at least 2 days per week at the office in The Hague
• Team: a welcoming, international, growing, innovative and enthusiastic team
• Holiday allowance: 8% (paid in May)
• Time off: 29 holidays per year of which 5 days are when the office is closed at the end of the year. Plus a paid day off on your birthday.
• Work-life balance: an employer that promotes family-friendly and work-life balance practices
• Every fortnight a day off: flexible working environment with the ability to work (partly) from home and work 9 days out of 10

Applications

The application deadline is 5 February 2026. FEMS may select candidates for interview prior to this date. Please submit your CV and cover letter including your reasons for applying and your relevant experience. Interviews are scheduled to take place in the third week of January.

About FEMS

FEMS is a global network connecting over 50 Member Societies from 38 countries and representing more than 30,000 individual microbiologists. Our office houses a small international team, based in Delft-The Hague area, but we work with hundreds of individual scientists, partners, and suppliers across the globe. FEMS exists to advance microbiology and support scientists at every stage of their careers, driving scientific development by bringing microbiologists together in purposeful ways to create impact. We do this through fostering scientific communities online, in person, and through our journals. We are growing our reach, network and activities and are looking for an enthusiastic colleague to help strengthen our Events team.