12 | LifeWatch ERIC Chief Technology Officer (CTO)Key responsibilities and deliverables for the LifeWatch ERIC Chief Technology Officer focus on supporting EU biodiversity strategies through habitat‑based mapping, ecosystem simulation, and virtual research environments. The position includes coordination of national distributed centres, capacity building, and technology integration. Key Deliverables End of May 2026 – Policy brief demonstrating application of habitat‑based mapping in supporting EU biodiversity strategies, such as the Biodiversity Strategy and Nature Restoration Law. End of January 2025 – Catalogue of services and research lines addressing ecological responses to climate change in LifeWatch ERIC. February 2025 (TBD) – Online working table to prioritise, timeline, and milestones for mapping services and model requirements. End of January 2025 – Internal questionnaire on most used model resources and distribution of results within the Working Group. End of December 2025 – Create shared repository of guidance documents, tools, templates, and data resources for WG members and broader communities. End of December 2025 – Catalogue of services and research lines for ecosystem services mapping. End of January 2026 – Online working table on mapping standards, classification systems and indicators. End of January 2026 – Catalogue of advanced techniques (remote sensing, GIS modelling, machine learning) for scalable habitat‑based ecosystem service mapping. End of December 2026 – Methodological framework supporting innovation in mapping approaches, linking ecosystem service supply and demand. Creation of VREs for ecosystem simulation (2026) – Build virtual models to predict environmental changes and enhance conservation strategies through AI‑driven simulations. Key Activities Organise WG workshops and conferences, including the BEeS 2025 LifeWatch Conference and the 30 June–3 July 2025 participation at LifeWatch 2025 BEeS Conference. Lead development of virtual research environments (VREs) and the Virtual Laboratory and Innovation Centre. Coordinate fundraising efforts and establish a committee for project application opportunities. Organise and participate in webinars and workshops on machine learning, eDNA analysis and automated data collection. Develop best practices for data curation and FAIR compliance. Conduct pilot projects to test new monitoring methods. Qualifications (not exhaustive)Experience in ecosystem modelling, AI, machine learning, GIS and virtual research environment development. Strong leadership skills, demonstrated ability to coordinate large, multidisciplinary teams, and deliver projects on schedule. #J-18808-Ljbffr