Senior Programme Officer

About us

EMBO is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting excellence in the life sciences in Europe and beyond. We fund talented researchers at all career stages, facilitate scientific exchanges through high-quality academic publishing, conferences, and lectures, and foster a research environment where scientists can achieve their best work.

Our diverse international team of approximately 60 staff collaborate closely with one another and with external stakeholders to further our mission. EMBO is located on the international EMBL life sciences research campus in Heidelberg, Germany.

Your role

As a Senior Programme Officer, you will join the EMBO Young Investigator Network team, which runs the EMBO Young Investigator Programme and Installation Grants scheme. These unique schemes annually provide roughly 35 talented research group leaders in the life sciences across Europe with financial awards as well as networking benefits. Awardees join a vibrant community of cutting-edge scientists comprising over 700 current and former grantees.

This is a role for a well-rounded life scientist trained to PhD level with previous experience in research administration. While your main task is ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of the programmes, you will also play a key strategic role in the further development of the schemes.

Reporting to the Head of the Young Investigator Network, you will work closely with the colleagues on your team and liaise with the Global Activities team.

Your main responsibilities will be:

• Coordinate the application and selection processes for the EMBO Young Investigator Programme and EMBO Installation Grants scheme. This includes creating and maintaining documentation for applicants and the applicant portal, liaison with applicants and the selection committees, assignment of reviewers, preparation of committee meetings and implementation of decisions;
• Work closely with the Global Investigator Network;
• Help develop and implement benefits available to awardees, including mentoring schemes and networking funds;
• Plan and coordinate the annual Young Investigator Network meeting, sectoral meetings, retreats, and courses, including responsibility for the scientific and training programme, selecting and inviting speakers, overseeing logistics, and advising co-organizers where necessary;
• Deputize for the Senior Programme Officer, Global Activities.

The role requires occasional travel and work outside normal working hours, including weekends.

You have

• A PhD in molecular biology or a related field of the life sciences and the ability to understand a broad range of life science-related topics;
• An in-depth understanding of international career paths in the life sciences;
• Relevant experience in science management and administration;
• Outstanding organizational and hands-on problem-solving skills;
• The ability to prioritize and manage concurrent tasks to a high standard, even under pressure;
• Excellent analytical skills and the ability to grasp complex topics quickly;
• The ability to work both independently and as part of a team;
• An affinity for technical solutions and excellent skills in:
  • MS Office, including Excel skills and the Office 365 environment;
  • Experience with databases (we currently use FileMaker Pro);
• Excellent written and spoken English skills, including adaptability to various contexts and levels of interaction.

You might also have

• Familiarity with Content Management Systems (e.g. WordPress) and project management tools (Asana or similar);
• Good German language skills; other languages are an asset.

Why join us

Promote the life sciences

At EMBO, you can contribute significantly to the advancement of life sciences in Europe and beyond. Your work will enable talented scientists to do great research and create an environment that enables their success.

Join a professional working environment

EMBO values diversity and is an inclusive, equal opportunity employer. We cultivate a work environment where employees are valued and empowered to excel professionally.

Our offices are located on the EMBL campus in Heidelberg, Germany, which is home to over 1,000 employees from around the world. The campus has an on-site nursery, subsidized canteen and cafeteria, as well as clubs for social activities and sports.

Heidelberg, with a population of around 160,000 people, is an international university city and research hub. It is attractively located between the Rhine River and the Odenwald, a low mountain range that offers a wide range of outdoor activities. The city has good national and international travel connections.

Enjoy attractive employee benefits  

EMBO provides competitive compensation and benefits suitable for an international research organization, including:

• Competitive salary with transparent annual reviews
• Family and child allowances
• Comprehensive health insurance coverage for you and your immediate family
• Retirement benefits, accident insurance, death benefits, and unemployment insurance
• Flexible work arrangements, including hybrid options
• 30 days of paid annual leave plus public holidays
• Opportunities for professional development and training, as well as subsidized language courses for integration purposes (depending on eligibility criteria)
• Depending on eligibility criteria: non-resident allowance, education grant, home leave, travel grant, and relocation package, including installation grant

What else you need to know

Contract duration

EMBO offers a fixed-term contract of three years for this position, issued through the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL). Contracts can be extended up to a maximum of nine years in total, subject to circumstances at the time of the review.

International applicants

EMBO and EMBL welcome applications from candidates worldwide. Due to EMBL’s intergovernmental status, a working visa is not required. However, depending on your nationality, an entry visa may be necessary. Once in Germany, we will assist you with registration and documentation processes, and you will receive a special permit (Sonderausweis), allowing you to work at EMBO, live in Germany and travel within the Schengen area. Family members accompanying you will also receive necessary permits.

How to apply

Please apply online through www.embl.org/jobs. Your application should include a cover letter, CV/resume, and contact details of two or three referees. Candidates selected for interviews will usually be notified within two weeks of the closing date. The interview process includes an online pre-interview and an in-person panel assessment day for shortlisted candidates, along with two tasks.

Pre-interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis, with in-person interviews tentatively set for the week commencing 7 July 2025.

EMBO is committed to implementing best practices in research assessment, as reflected in our recruitment processes. We are a founding member of DORA and a member of CoARA, the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment.

Why join us

EMBO is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting excellence in the life sciences in Europe and beyond. We fund talented researchers at all career stages, facilitate scientific exchanges through high-quality academic publishing, conferences, and lectures, and foster a research environment where scientists can achieve their best work.

Our diverse international team of approximately 60 members hails from various countries, personal backgrounds, and professional fields, collaborating closely to further our mission. EMBO is located on the international EMBL life sciences research campus in Heidelberg, Germany.

Promote the life sciences

At EMBO, you can contribute significantly to the advancement of life sciences in Europe and beyond. Your work will enable talented scientists to do great research and create an environment that enables their success.

Enjoy lots of benefits:

• Financial incentives: Salary free of income tax, monthly family, child and non-resident allowances, annual salary review, pension scheme, death benefit, long-term care, accident-at-work and unemployment insurances
• Flexible working arrangements
• Private medical insurance for you and your immediate family (including all prescriptions and generous dental & optical cover)
• Generous time off: 30 days annual leave per year, in addition public holidays
• Relocation package including installation grant (if applicable)
• Campus life: Free shuttle bus (select sites), on-site library, subsidised on-site gym and cafeteria, casual dress code, extensive sports and social club activities (on campus and remotely)
• Family benefits: Kindergarten (Heidelberg), 10 days of child sick leave, generous paid maternity/parental leave and monthly family & child allowances
• Benefits for international newcomers: Visa exemption, education grant for private schooling, financial support to travel back to your home country every second year and a monthly non-resident allowance.
• For detailed information please visit our employee benefits page here

What else you need to know

• International applicants: We recruit internationally and successful candidates are offered visa exemptions. Visit our International Applicants page, to find out more.
• EMBL/ EMBO is a signatory of DORA. Find out how we apply DORA principles to our recruitment and performance assessment processes here.
• Diversity and inclusion: At EMBO, we strongly believe that inclusive and diverse teams benefit from higher levels of innovation and creative thought. We encourage applications from women, LGBTQ+ & individuals from all nationalities. 
• How to apply: To apply please submit a cover letter and a CV through our online system. Applications will close at 23:59 CET on the date shown below. We aim to provide a response within two weeks after the closing date.