Director, EMBL Heidelberg

About EMBL

Europe’s leading laboratory for the Life Sciences

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) is Europe’s leading laboratory for the life sciences and one of the world’s foremost centres for biological research. Founded in 1974, EMBL was established to advance molecular biology research across Europe, develop new technologies, and train future generations of scientists. Today, EMBL brings together researchers, engineers, data scientists, technology developers and professional staff in pursuit of a shared goal: understanding life in context, across scales, and in all its complexity.

Supported by more than 30 member and associate states, EMBL operates six sites across Europe in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Spain. Together, these sites form a highly integrated scientific organisation, combining world-class research, scientific services, advanced infrastructure, technology development, and training and innovation. Heidelberg serves as EMBL’s headquarters and principal laboratory, while each site contributes distinct scientific capabilities to a common institutional mission.

A unique scientific organisation

EMBL occupies a distinctive position within the global life sciences landscape. As Europe’s only intergovernmental organisation dedicated to life sciences research, it provides a framework through which member states collectively support ambitious long-term scientific programmes, strategic infrastructure and international collaboration. The organisation’s multi-site structure enables scientific challenges to be addressed at a scale that extends beyond individual laboratories, institutions or national research systems.

In addition to conducting pioneering research, the organisation develops technologies, operates internationally recognised facilities, provides scientific services and biological data resources, and delivers advanced training programmes for the global life sciences community. This combination of discovery science, infrastructure, services and capability-building has made EMBL a cornerstone of the European research ecosystem.

EMBL’s Heidelberg site

EMBL Heidelberg is the organisation’s headquarters and largest scientific site. It serves as a major centre for scientific research, technology development, training and scientific services, while also hosting the Director General’s Office and key institutional and headquarter functions. Heidelberg occupies a unique position within EMBL, acting both as a world-leading scientific campus and as a focal point for the organisation’s broader strategic leadership.

The Heidelberg site is home to four complementary scientific research units, extensive scientific facilities and technology platforms, and cross-cutting research centres such as the Data Science Centre, EMBL AI, the EMBL Imaging Centre, the EMBL International Centre for Advanced Training (EICAT), and a broad range of professional and operational functions. Together, these activities create a deeply interdisciplinary environment that supports scientific excellence, collaboration and innovation across the life sciences, collectively contributing to EMBL’s wider mission.

EMBL Heidelberg Research Units:

Cell Biology and Biophysics  

Investigates the molecular and biophysical mechanisms that underpin cellular function.

Developmental Biology          

Studies how organisms, tissues and biological systems develop, evolve and interact.

Genome Biology         

Explores how genomic information is regulated, processed and utilised, and how its alteration contributes to disease.

Molecular Systems Biology    

Examines biological organisation through integrated molecular, computational and quantitative approaches.

As EMBL’s headquarters, Heidelberg plays an important role in shaping the organisation’s future scientific direction while continuing to deliver world-class research and innovation. The site therefore combines scientific leadership responsibilities with a broader institutional mandate, making it one of the most influential life sciences environments in Europe.

The role

Since its founding, EMBL Heidelberg has grown significantly in both scale and complexity, evolving into EMBL’s largest site and a world leading centre for life sciences research. Entering its next chapter under the leadership of new Director General Tony Hyman, EMBL is seeking to appoint an outstanding Director of EMBL Heidelberg to lead the site and help shape the organisation's future direction. As a member of EMBL’s senior leadership team, the Director will work closely with the Director General, Heads of Unit, other Site Heads and senior operational leaders to translate EMBL’s long-term ambitions into impact at Heidelberg, while contributing to strategy and priorities across the wider organisation. With day-to-day responsibility for a highly complex, interdisciplinary campus of around 1,000 people spanning research units, scientific facilities, platforms, services and operational functions, the Director will foster scientific excellence, collaboration and innovation, ensuring that scientific priorities are supported by effective governance, resource allocation, infrastructure investment and organisational development.

Key responsibilities 

Strategic Leadership and Governance

• ­Work in close partnership with the Director General and Heads of Research Units to translate EMBL’s strategy into a coherent strategic agenda for the Heidelberg site.
• ­Contribute to the long-term strategic vision for the Heidelberg site and EMBL more broadly, maximising the collective impact of the Research Units, facilities, and cross-cutting capabilities.
• Evolve the governance and management framework at EMBL Heidelberg, including leading organisational and structural changes and supporting teams through transitions.

Scientific Coordination

• ­Coordinate scientific activities at the Heidelberg site, working closely with the Director General and Heads of Unit, to shape programme priorities and ensure alignment with EMBL-wide scientific vision.
• ­Lead and coordinate regular scientific reviews to ensure ongoing development and impact.

Leadership and Talent Management

• ­Manage direct reports, including Heads of Research Units and administrative functions.

Collaboration and External Engagement

• ­Foster collaborations within EMBL Heidelberg and across EMBL sites, as well as with external academic, clinical, and industry partners.
• ­Strengthen local, regional, and national research collaborations and support EMBL Heidelberg’s integration into the German scientific landscape.
• ­Act as a key contact point for local authorities, external stakeholders, and political partners, and actively develop these relationships.

Operations, Resources, and Infrastructure

• ­In close collaboration with the Head of Heidelberg Operations and Administration:
• Define and evolve the organisational structure of scientific activities at the site.
• Manage budgetary planning, allocation, and monitoring.
• Prioritise operational activities and optimise use of resources and space.
• Ensure emergency preparedness and business continuity.
• Strengthen the collaboration between science and professional services.

Compliance and Institutional Standards

• Ensure adherence to institutional policies, legal and regulatory requirements, as well as safety and ethical standards.
• ­Oversee crisis management and response.

Representation and Advocacy

• Represent EMBL Heidelberg internally in governance bodies (e.g. EMBL Scientific Advisory Committee, EMBL Council) and externally in international scientific forums and partnerships.
• ­Engage with the global scientific community to enhance EMBL’s visibility, influence, and collaborations.

Reporting and Accountability

• Report directly to the Director General, providing regular updates on scientific activities, operational performance, and strategic progress.
• ­Prepare and deliver reports for EMBL Council and other external advisory and governance bodies.

Qualifications and required competencies and skills

You are an internationally recognised scientist with an exceptional research track record and the leadership credibility to operate in a large-scale research environment. You combine scientific and strategic judgement, organisational leadership and strong stakeholder engagement skills, with experience leading complex programmes, organisations or senior teams in an international setting. Equally comfortable engaging with world-leading researchers, professional services leaders, governments, funders, philanthropic organisations and industry partners, you are a visible ambassador for EMBL, building relationships that strengthen the organisation’s global standing and long-term success. You inspire diverse, high-performing teams, navigate complexity, drive institutional change and promote an inclusive, collaborative culture that enables scientific innovation at scale.

You hold a PhD in the life sciences or a related field and are fluent in German and English; both are essential requirements.

Salary

Grade 13, monthly salary starting from EUR 13.445,84 after tax, plus generous benefits and financial allowances based on individual circumstances. Excluding 12.99% personal pension and insurance contributions.

Application instructions

Please click here to review the documents required as part of your application.

Interviews are planned to take place in person in Frankfurt on 22 January 2027.

Disclaimer

EMBL is working closely with Egon Zehnder on the search process for this position. Application materials and information submitted as part of your application may be shared with Egon Zehnder and the selection committee for the purposes of assessing your candidacy. Egon Zehnder will review applications and will be in contact directly with selected applicants regarding next steps in the process. Egon Zehnder are sole responsible for the processing of the personal data we transfer to them, for any question related to how they process personal data, kindly reach out to them.

Why join us

EMBL is curiosity-driven, community-oriented and international. As an inclusive, equal opportunity employer, we believe that diversity enables us to collaborate more effectively and be innovative in our approaches. We are, therefore, committed to creating an inclusive and flexible culture - one where everyone can realise their full potential and make a positive contribution to our organisation. 

We encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing team – we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and personal experiences reflect the diversity of the populations that our science serves. We actively encourage applications from all genders and cultures, ethnic groups and all demographics to help us avoid perpetuating biases and oversights at this transformational point in our people strategy.

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 to public holidays
• Relocation package including installation grant (conditions apply)
• Campus life: Free shuttle bus (Heidelberg), library, subsidised on-site 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 is a signatory of DORA. Find out how we apply DORA principles to our recruitment and performance assessment processes here.
• Diversity and inclusion: At EMBL, we believe that diverse teams drive innovation and scientific excellence. We encourage applications from candidates of all genders, identities, nationalities and/or any other diverse backgrounds.
• 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.

Closing Date