Group Leader - Genome Biology Unit
Group Leader - Genome Biology Unit
EMBL - European Molecular Biology Laboratory
Heidelberg, Germany
Closing date: 2 January 2025
Contract duration: 5 Years renewable to 9 years
Grading: Grade 9 (Monthly salary starting at €6,644 after tax but excl. pension & insurances) + benefits
Reference number: HD02741
Are You Ready to Lead Groundbreaking Research in Genome Biology? Join Us at EMBL!
We are seeking talented scientists to lead their own independent research group addressing exciting and original questions in the broad area of genome biology.
About Us
The Genome Biology Unit at EMBL invites visionary scientists to establish and lead their independent research group that explore bold, high-impact questions in genome biology. Our Unit is at the forefront of understanding how molecular information (DNA, RNA, proteins, metabolites) is regulated, integrated, and reshaped within cellular and organismal systems across diverse biological contexts. Using a blend of cutting-edge experimental and computational approaches, we strive to decode and model complex biological processes - from single-cell dynamics to ecosystem-level interactions.
Here, you’ll join a vibrant, interdisciplinary community where collaboration and innovation are nurtured. Discover more about our dynamic research environment on the Genome Biology webpage and explore our current research groups.
Your role
Your Mission
- Lead an independent research group to pursue exciting, ambitious and original research in the broad domain of genome biology;
- Bring your fresh perspective and unique vision to life in an intellectually stimulating, collaborative environment where your research can flourish;
- Create an innovative research program developing or utilizing cutting-edge technologies to address important biological questions in creative ways.
Research Areas of Interest
We welcome original and ambitious proposals with an emphasis on developing or utilizing cutting-edge technologies to address important biological questions in creative ways, including new experimental and computational methods, data and deep-learning driven investigation of complex molecular processes underlying phenotypic changes.
Biological areas include (but are not limited to):
- Regulatory mechanisms;
- Synthetic genomics;
- Large-scale genome engineering;
- Genome editing tools;
- Metabolism;
- Comparative biology;
- Genotype-to-phenotype and genomic-environment interactions.
Or other areas that complement and extend research within the Unit.
You have
What We’re Looking For
You should have a clear, ambitious research plan (maximum 4 pages) with original ideas and impactful goals. Candidates with an outstanding track record in genome biology - or related fields such as computer science, bioinformatics, engineering, physics, chemistry - who are excited by the complexity of molecular processes are encouraged to apply.
We value researchers who are
- Original: Addressing important questions from a new perspective;
- Visionaries: Ready to shape the future of their field with groundbreaking ideas;
- Collaborative: Keen to engage with a community of leading scientists;
- Mentors: Dedicated to nurturing and inspiring the next generation of researchers.
EMBL’s long-term scientific direction, Molecules to Ecosystems, include a vision to advance our understanding of ecosystems at the molecular level, applying expertise in molecular biology to study life in its natural context. Research areas include applying experimental, computational and theoretical approaches to study how cells and organisms interact with each other and respond to environmental change at multiple levels (molecules, cells, tissues and populations). These themes are embedded in the research within the Genome Biology Unit and we are interested in hosting scientists that can enhance and extend these research areas in creative innovative ways.
Why join us
EMBL typically appoints group leaders early in their career and provides everything you need to support this transition to your first independent position to achieve your research goals.
As Europe’s life sciences laboratory, EMBL offers an inspiring, internationally recognized platform to launch and grow your research career. EMBL group leaders benefit from:
- Core Funding: Focus on your research with generous, reliable core funding throughout your time at EMBL. The offer includes a competitive yearly research package, core-funded Ph.D. students from an excellent international Ph.D. program & a post-doc recruitment program – key features to support a successful research group;
- World-Class Resources: Access to world-leading core facilities and outstanding Ph.D. candidates from our international PhD program, allow you to hit the ground running to get your research programme going;
- A highly collaborative interdisciplinary environment: Thrive in a highly interactive network of over 110 independent research groups and service teams covering the broad spectrum of topics in the life sciences. The various EMBL Units are strongly connected and cross Unit collaborations are not only possible but strongly encouraged. This fosters very creative, interdisciplinary research by promoting a vibrant environment consisting of young independent research groups with access to outstanding graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and our world-leading core facilities. This unique environment is ideal to launch your career, enabling junior groups to establish themselves and go on to tenured positions, or chairs of departments at excellent institutions around the world;
- Creative Freedom: EMBL values early-career researchers, offering you the autonomy and resources to push boundaries in genome biology, wherever your passion leads;
- Well-connected Scientific Hub: EMBL-Heidelberg is embedded in a thriving research environment, being home to many world-leading institutions with partnerships to EMBL and many cross-institutional inititatives including AI ELLIS Unit Heidelberg, the Single Cell Genomics centre and the Heidelberg-Mannheim Health & Life-Science Alliance;
- Networking and visibility: EMBL’s advanced training centre hosts over 30 international conferences per year. This means that hundreds of world-lying scientists are on campus each year, spanning almost all domains in the life sciences. This provides many opportunities to meet international scientists and discuss and present your work;
- Global Excellence: Ranked among the world’s top research institutes, EMBL promotes discovery-driven science in a collaborative and inclusive environment. Our mission is to perform curiosity driven research; to train scientists, students and visitors at all levels; to offer vital services to scientists in the public and private sectors within our member states; and to develop new instruments and methods and methods and engage actively in technology transfer.
What else you need to know
You will also benefit from
- Career Advancement: EMBL’s supportive structure provides a solid foundation for early-career scientists to establish their research groups, often propelling them toward prestigious positions worldwide;
- Inclusive Community: EMBL is committed to diversity, equality, and supporting work-life balance;
- Excellent compensation and benefits: We provide an excellent benefits package, competitive salary, global health insurance, relocation and family support, and onsite childcare options (in addition multiple international school options in Heidelberg);
- A truly international vibrant environment: EMBL is Europe’s life sciences laboratory – as an intergovernmental organisation with more than 110 independent groups, we offer one of the most international research environments globally. Headquartered at Heidelberg, EMBL operates across six sites in Europe (Barcelona, Cambridge, Grenoble, Hamburg and Rome). The working language of the institute is English.
How to Apply
You should have an exciting research plan (max 4 pages) with original and ambitious goals for your future team. Candiates should have an excellent Ph.D. and post-doctoral track record in natural sciences, with an interest in the wider field of genome biology. Applicants with a degree in computer science, (bio)informatics/mathematics, engineering, physics with a keen interest to understand the molecular complexity of cells and how that changes, are also encouraged to apply.
In your online application, you will be asked to include a cover letter, your CV, the names and contact details of 2 referees and a concise description of research interests & future research plans, highlighting your unique vision (up to four 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.
Closing date: Jan 2nd 2025
Online interviews are planned for Jan 31st and Feb 3rd 2025.
One site interviews are planned for March 10 – 11 (inclusive) 2025.
Information on Group Leader appointments can be found here http://www.embl.org/gl_faq.
Further information about the position, please contact recruitment@embl.org.
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.
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.
© EuroJobsites 2024
