23 April, 2026 – The European Respiratory Society (ERS) has officially announced a call for applications for two pivotal leadership positions within its Education Council: the ERS Assessments Director and the ERS Learning Resources Director. These strategic appointments, which cover the 2027–2030 mandate, represent a critical juncture for the society as it seeks to harmonize its educational offerings with the rapidly evolving demands of global respiratory healthcare.
The selection process includes a dedicated shadowing year, commencing 1 October 2026, designed to ensure a seamless transition and continuity of vision for the society’s educational roadmap. Applications for both roles remain open until 31 May 2026.
Main Facts: The Pillars of ERS Education
The ERS Education Council acts as the engine room for the society’s academic output, setting the gold standard for training and professional development in respiratory medicine. The two open directorships are essential to maintaining this rigorous standard.
The ERS Assessments Director
The Assessments Director serves as the architect of the society’s evaluation framework. This role is not merely administrative; it is fundamentally strategic. The successful candidate will oversee the entire spectrum of ERS assessments, ranging from the foundational training modules for early-career professionals to advanced, continuing professional development (CPD) programs.
Key responsibilities include:
- Strategic Oversight: Defining the long-term methodology for how respiratory expertise is validated across Europe and beyond.
- HERMES Management: Managing and expanding the HERMES (Harmonised Education in Respiratory Medicine for European Specialists) examination question pool.
- Curriculum Development: Collaborating with stakeholders to ensure syllabi reflect the latest clinical evidence and technological advancements.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Building partnerships with external organizations to standardize assessment methodologies and maintain international accreditation standards.
The ERS Learning Resources Director
While the Assessments Director focuses on validation, the Learning Resources Director focuses on the creation and dissemination of knowledge. This role is tasked with ensuring the ERS educational portfolio remains both coherent and cutting-edge.
Key responsibilities include:
- Innovation: Driving the evolution of teaching methods, moving beyond traditional formats to embrace digital, interactive, and personalized learning.
- Project Governance: Overseeing a transparent and fair selection process for new online educational projects, ensuring the highest quality of digital content.
- Synergy Management: Coordinating across the "Respiratory Channel" to ensure that resources are cross-referenced, accessible, and inclusive of all respiratory sub-specialties.
- Editorial Leadership: Representing the Education Council on the Respiratory Channel Editorial Board, acting as a bridge between content creators and the broader clinical community.
Chronology: A Roadmap for the Future
The recruitment cycle has been carefully structured to facilitate a professional handover. The ERS is placing a heavy emphasis on the "shadowing year" to ensure that the incoming directors are fully integrated into the society’s culture and operational workflows before their formal mandates begin.
- 23 April 2026: Official opening of applications for both the Assessments Director and Learning Resources Director roles.
- 31 May 2026: Deadline for the submission of applications.
- June–August 2026: Review phase. The ERS selection committee will evaluate candidates based on their professional experience, vision for the role, and alignment with the society’s strategic goals.
- September 2026: Final interviews and selection of the successful candidates.
- 1 October 2026: Commencement of the shadowing year. The incoming directors will work alongside the outgoing leadership to gain institutional knowledge and finalize the 2027–2030 strategic plan.
- 1 January 2027: Official start of the 2027–2030 mandate.
- 31 December 2030: Conclusion of the four-year term.
Supporting Data: The Growing Need for Standardized Respiratory Education
The importance of these roles cannot be overstated. According to recent ERS reports, the demand for high-quality, digital-first respiratory education has surged by 40% since 2020. This growth is driven by several factors:
- The Digital Transformation: The shift toward hybrid learning environments requires directors who are as comfortable with data analytics and UX (User Experience) design as they are with clinical medicine.
- Specialization: As respiratory medicine branches into increasingly complex sub-specialties—such as rare lung diseases, advanced interventional pulmonology, and personalized immunotherapy—the Education Council must ensure that learning materials remain granular yet comprehensive.
- Global Reach: The HERMES examinations have become an international benchmark. The Assessments Director must manage a diverse demographic of candidates, requiring an understanding of both European and global educational paradigms.
- Clinical Relevance: With the accelerating pace of research, the shelf-life of medical knowledge is shrinking. The Learning Resources Director must ensure that content is not only accurate but also agile enough to be updated in real-time as clinical guidelines change.
Official Perspectives: Ensuring Continuity and Innovation
Leadership within the ERS views these appointments as a means to solidify the society’s role as the primary authority in respiratory health education.
In a recent briefing, members of the current Education Council emphasized that the ideal candidates for these roles must possess a "bridge-building mindset." Because these directors interact with diverse clinical assemblies, they must be adept at diplomacy and consensus-building.
"We are not just looking for content experts," a spokesperson for the council stated. "We are looking for educational innovators who understand that the future of medicine is modular, digital, and lifelong. The successful applicants will be those who can balance the weight of our long-standing traditions with the urgent need for pedagogical innovation."
The Council has also noted that these roles offer a unique opportunity for senior clinicians and educators to shape the landscape of respiratory medicine on a continental scale. The impact of these decisions will be felt by thousands of medical students, residents, and established practitioners who rely on ERS tools to maintain their clinical competence.
Implications: The Strategic Impact of These Roles
The appointment of these two directors will have profound implications for the ERS and the broader respiratory community.
1. Standardization vs. Flexibility
The ERS is currently navigating the tension between the need for rigid, standardized assessment (to ensure patient safety and clinical excellence) and the need for flexible, personalized learning. The new directors will be tasked with finding the "sweet spot" where learners are challenged, yet not overwhelmed.
2. The Future of the "Respiratory Channel"
The Respiratory Channel is the crown jewel of the ERS digital strategy. The Learning Resources Director will be responsible for ensuring this platform does not become a static repository of videos but rather a dynamic hub of knowledge. This involves integrating AI-driven recommendations, gamification, and peer-to-peer interactive forums.
3. Sustainability of Professional Development
As the healthcare sector faces staffing shortages and burnout, the accessibility of CPD (Continuing Professional Development) is vital. By refining how assessments and resources are delivered, the directors will directly contribute to the sustainability of the workforce, making it easier for clinicians to maintain their credentials without excessive administrative burden.
4. Global Influence
The ERS does not operate in a vacuum. Its curricula often serve as the blueprint for respiratory societies in other regions. Therefore, the strategic direction set by these two individuals will echo far beyond the European Union, influencing how respiratory medicine is taught in developing healthcare systems and emerging economies.
How to Apply
For professionals ready to take on the challenge, the ERS has provided comprehensive documentation to guide the application process. Applicants are encouraged to review the full job descriptions, which detail the specific clinical and administrative prerequisites.
- For the Assessments Director: View Job Description | Apply Here
- For the Learning Resources Director: View Job Description | Apply Here
For those interested in other opportunities, a full list of current elections and open positions within the society can be found on the official ERS website.
As the deadline of 31 May 2026 approaches, the ERS invites all qualified members to consider how their vision for education can contribute to the society’s mission: to alleviate suffering associated with respiratory disease and promote lung health through research, education, and advocacy. This is more than a job application; it is a chance to define the standards of tomorrow’s respiratory care.
