Group Leader

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) is one of the highest-ranked scientific research organisations in the world. The Headquarters Laboratory is located in Heidelberg (Germany) and further Units are situated Grenoble (France), Hamburg (Germany), Hinxton (UK), Rome (Italy) and Barcelona (Spain). EMBL Grenoble shares the European Photon and Neutron Science (EPN) Campus with the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), the Institut Laue Langevin (ILL) and the French national Institut de Biologie Structurale (IBS), whose complementary and integrated facilities provide a very rich environment for structural biologists. 

The appointed Group Leader will benefit from the world-class environment offered by the inter-institutional Partnership for Structural Biology (EMBL, ESRF, ILL, IBS, http://www.psb-grenoble.fr), which provides access to state-of-the-art instrumentation for integrative structural biology including the recently upgraded ESRF - EBS X-ray beamlines for MX and SAXS, cryo-EM (Glacios, Krios, locally and in EMBL Heidelberg), high-field NMR (600-950 MHz spectrometers), the ILL neutron scattering beamlines and a biophysics platform. Furthermore, EMBL Grenoble is involved in the development of a new nano X-ray imaging beamline at the ESRF, which will fill gaps between light and electron microscopy. 

You will also have direct access to cutting-edge platforms and expertise for high-throughput crystallization for soluble and membrane proteins, in-house bacterial, insect and mammalian cell expression, advanced gene editing, cell sorting and confocal microscopy. 

The EMBL Grenoble Unit conducts an ambitious and cross-disciplinary research programme in molecular structural biology, focusing on research questions in RNA biology, infection biology, and muscle cytoskeleton. It also develops innovative instrumentation and methodologies for synchrotron X-ray and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), and provides structural biology services that bridge the temporal and spatial scales. Further information about research in the EMBL Grenoble Unit and at EMBL can be found on the EMBL web page. 

Your role 

You will develop an independent and innovative integrated structural biology research programme to address important biological problems. We highly value original, risky, bold and "out of the box" proposals that make use of cutting-edge and yet-to-be-developed innovative technologies. 

We are seeking individuals who will integrate into and take full advantage of the extensive research environment and the comprehensive resources available at EMBL Grenoble, on the EPN Campus, and throughout the entire EMBL network. 

In line with EMBL's scientific programme from Molecules to Ecosystems, the EMBL Grenoble Unit is interested in candidates that have research programs related to research plans and EMBL's transversal themes; the Unit already has considerable strengths in Infection Biology and is eager to grow its portfolio to include mechanistic studies in the theme of Microbial Ecosystems. Acceptable research areas are broad and encompass chemical biology, biochemistry, biophysics, proteomics, structural biology and nano X-ray imaging of biological systems. Prospective avenues include incorporating synthetic biology technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) approaches, tying into and capitalising on the AI portfolio in EMBL, which spans across disciplines, including structructural biology. 

You have 

You have demonstrable ability and ambition to work on fundamental biological questions, which implies both biological discoveries and/or methodological advances. Furthermore, your research complements and synergises with the activities of the EMBL Grenoble Unit and the whole of EMBL. 

You should, therefore, demonstrate a strong motivation to work in the collaborative and multidisciplinary environment of EMBL. In addition, you should be dedicated to developing positive relationships and providing leadership and guidance to team members. The ability to participate constructively in local unit management is desirable, as is a pro-active and positive problem-solving mindset. 

We encourage applications from both junior and senior colleagues who are keen to take a leading role in shaping the future of science together with colleagues across the organisation. 

You might also have 

Why join us 

The selected future Group Leader will thrive within EMBL’s vibrant multidisciplinary community, benefiting from extensive opportunities for collaboration with a variety of research groups.

EMBL appoints group leaders from early on in their career and provides a very supportive environment for your first independent position in order to achieve your research goals. The initial "Lead your Lab" management training is offered to all incoming group leaders. 

EMBL Grenoble is part of the EPN Campus, bringing together comprehensive and world class facilities, which creates a synergistic environment that provides unparalleled opportunities for conducting state-of-the-art integrative structural biology research. The Unit also interacts closely with the EMBL Imaging Centre, SCB and CBB Units in Heidelberg that offer access to a broad spectrum of electron and light microscopy technologies with special emphasis on correlative approaches. 

EMBL is an inclusive, equal opportunity employer offering attractive conditions and benefits appropriate to an international research organization with a very collegial and family friendly working environment. 

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. 

Competitive salary and social security benefits, financial support for relocation, a relaxed culture, professional development, and other staff facilities make EMBL a great place to work. 

What else you need to know 

We are Europe's flagship research laboratory for the life sciences - an intergovernmental organisation performing scientific research in disciplines including molecular biology, physics, chemistry and computer science. We are an international, innovative and interdisciplinary laboratory with more than 1800 employees from more than 80 countries, operating across six sites, in Heidelberg (HQ), Barcelona, Hinxton near Cambridge, Hamburg, Grenoble and Rome. 

The working language of the institute is English. 

An initial contract of 5 years will be offered to the successful candidate. This is foreseen to be extended to a maximum of 9 years, subject to an external review. 

In your online application, you will be asked to include a cover letter, your CV (which should include a narrative describing the significance of your key research outputs), the names and contact details of 3 referees and a concise description of research interests & future research plans, typically not exceeding five pages. Should you plan to submit your application close to the deadline, please inform your referees in advance so they can be ready to send their letters of recommendation upon request and before the panel interviews. 

Before applying, please read full application instructions here . 

In addition, you will be asked to provide your potential interest in a maximum of two transversal themes. The recruitment panel is composed of a balanced mix of internal and external members. The shortlisted candidates will be invited to on-site interviews at least three weeks before the interview date. 

Interviews are planned for October 2024. Information on Group Leader appointments can be found here: http://www.embl.org/gl_faq 

Further information about the position can be obtained from the Head of Unit,Kristina Djinovic Carugo. 

EMBL is a signatory of the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA). We support fair and responsible research assessment, which includes its recruitment and performance assessment processes. We recognise a range of research outputs, discourage inappropriate use of proxies such as journal impact factors, and value research outputs based on their intrinsic merit. 

Please apply online through: www.embl.org/jobs