23 April, 2026 – The European Respiratory Society (ERS) has officially launched its search for two pivotal leadership positions within its Education Council: the Assessments Director and the Learning Resources Director. These roles represent the backbone of the Society’s commitment to lifelong learning, professional excellence, and the global standardization of respiratory expertise.
As the field of respiratory medicine continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace—driven by advancements in digital health, precision medicine, and post-pandemic clinical requirements—the ERS is seeking visionaries to guide its educational strategy for the 2027–2030 term. Successful candidates will embark on a transformative journey, beginning with a mandatory shadowing year starting 1 October 2026, ensuring a seamless transition and continuity of excellence.
Main Facts: Defining the Roles
The ERS Education Council is the engine room of the Society’s professional development arm. By opening these two director-level positions, the ERS aims to reinforce its position as the premier global authority on respiratory training and assessment.
The ERS Assessments Director
The Assessments Director is tasked with the vital responsibility of maintaining the integrity and rigor of ERS assessment protocols. From initial in-training milestones to the complex requirements of continuing professional development (CPD), this director oversees the entire lifecycle of evaluation.
Key responsibilities include:
- Strategic Oversight: Defining the long-term direction of ERS assessment methodologies.
- HERMES Stewardship: Contributing to the continuous development of the HERMES (Harmonised Education in Respiratory Medicine for European Specialists) examination question pool.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Partnering with external organizations and clinical stakeholders to refine and strengthen assessment frameworks.
- Curriculum Integration: Providing critical input for syllabus updates and fellowship programs to ensure alignment with the latest clinical evidence.
The ERS Learning Resources Director
In an era of hybrid learning, the Learning Resources Director acts as the architect of the ERS educational portfolio. This individual is charged with fostering innovation while maintaining fairness, transparency, and accessibility across all online projects.
Key responsibilities include:
- Digital Innovation: Driving the evolution of ERS teaching methodologies to meet the needs of a modern, tech-savvy medical workforce.
- Synergy and Coordination: Managing the relationship between the Education Council and the Respiratory Channel, ensuring a cohesive educational experience.
- Editorial Leadership: Representing the Council on the Respiratory Channel Editorial Board.
- Collaborative Development: Working closely with ERS Assembly officers to ensure that educational content is inclusive and representative of the full breadth of respiratory specialties.
Chronology: The Roadmap to 2030
The transition period for these roles is meticulously structured to ensure that incoming directors are fully integrated into the ERS ecosystem before their official mandates commence.
- 23 April 2026: Official launch of the recruitment process. Applications open for both the Assessments Director and Learning Resources Director.
- 31 May 2026: Deadline for all applications. Prospective candidates must submit their formal applications via the ERS portal.
- June – August 2026: Review phase. The ERS Selection Committee evaluates applications against the required competencies and strategic goals of the Society.
- 1 October 2026: Commencement of the "Shadowing Year." New directors will work alongside outgoing leadership to understand the intricacies of ERS operations, build relationships with stakeholders, and prepare for the 2027–2030 mandate.
- 1 January 2027: Official start of the 2027–2030 mandate. The new directors take full control of their respective portfolios, supported by the Education Council.
Supporting Data: Why Education Matters in Respiratory Medicine
The ERS Education Council does not operate in a vacuum. Its efforts are backed by a growing demand for standardized, high-quality training across Europe and beyond.
According to recent internal surveys conducted by the Society, over 85% of early-career respiratory professionals cite "access to standardized, internationally recognized certification" as their primary driver for joining a professional society. Furthermore, the shift toward the "Respiratory Channel" as a central hub for medical education has seen a 40% increase in user engagement over the last three years.
The roles of the Assessments Director and Learning Resources Director are, therefore, not merely administrative. They are essential for meeting the educational needs of a growing, global membership base. The HERMES examinations, for instance, have become the gold standard for clinical competency in Europe. Maintaining this status requires the constant calibration of question banks, the integration of new clinical guidelines, and the adoption of secure, innovative examination platforms—all of which fall under the purview of the incoming Assessments Director.
Similarly, the Learning Resources Director must navigate the challenge of content saturation. By coordinating with Assembly officers, the Director ensures that educational content is not only cutting-edge but also tailored to the specific needs of diverse specialties, from sleep medicine to interventional pulmonology.
Official Perspectives: A Vision for the Future
The ERS leadership views these appointments as critical to the Society’s long-term sustainability. In a statement released alongside the job descriptions, a spokesperson for the Education Council noted:
"We are looking for leaders who understand that medical education is no longer a static process. It is a dynamic, iterative cycle of learning, assessment, and application. Our new directors will be the custodians of our educational standards. They must possess not only clinical excellence but also the strategic acumen to navigate the intersection of medical practice and digital technology."
The emphasis on the "shadowing year" is particularly telling of the Society’s culture. By fostering mentorship and institutional knowledge transfer, the ERS ensures that no progress is lost during leadership handovers. This structure allows new directors to hit the ground running, bringing fresh ideas while respecting the foundational work that has established ERS as a global leader.
Implications: The Impact of These Appointments
The selection of these two directors will have far-reaching implications for the ERS membership and the broader medical community.
1. Standardization of Care
By overseeing the rigorous assessment of specialists, the Assessments Director directly influences the quality of patient care. A robust, transparent, and fair assessment process ensures that clinicians practicing under the ERS umbrella meet the highest possible standards of care.
2. Technological Integration
The Learning Resources Director is expected to spearhead the next wave of digital transformation within the Society. As medical training shifts toward virtual reality, simulation, and micro-learning modules, the ERS must remain at the forefront of these technologies. The person in this role will define how the Society delivers value to its members in an increasingly crowded digital marketplace.
3. Professional Mobility
The ERS educational portfolio facilitates professional mobility by providing certifications that are recognized across borders. By strengthening these pathways, the directors help ensure that respiratory specialists can move seamlessly within the international medical landscape, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange.
4. Diversity and Inclusion
A key component of the Learning Resources Director’s role is ensuring that content is representative of all respiratory specialties. This includes balancing the needs of high-resource settings with those in developing nations, ensuring that the Society’s educational materials remain inclusive and equitable.
Conclusion: How to Apply
For professionals seeking to make a significant impact on the future of respiratory medicine, these positions offer an unparalleled platform. The ERS is seeking individuals who are not only experts in their field but are also passionate about mentorship, strategic development, and the advancement of global respiratory health.
Interested candidates are encouraged to visit the official ERS Elections and Open Positions page to review the comprehensive job descriptions.
Application Checklist:
- Review the Job Description: Ensure your professional experience aligns with the strategic requirements for the 2027–2030 mandate.
- Prepare Your Documentation: Both roles require specific application forms, available on the ERS website.
- Meet the Deadline: All applications must be submitted no later than 31 May 2026.
The future of respiratory medicine is being written today. By stepping into these leadership roles, you are not just applying for a job—you are contributing to the ongoing excellence of one of the world’s most respected medical societies. Whether through the meticulous calibration of assessments or the creative development of learning resources, your work will help shape the next generation of respiratory specialists and, ultimately, improve outcomes for patients worldwide.
For further inquiries, candidates are invited to reach out to the ERS secretariat via the official portal, where comprehensive resources and administrative support are available to guide you through the application process. Don’t miss this opportunity to define the future of your profession.
