The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) is one of the world’s leading scientific research organizations. The Headquarters Laboratory is located in Heidelberg (Germany) and outstations are in Grenoble (France), Hamburg (Germany), Hinxton (UK) and Monterotondo (Italy).

Advanced scientific training is a core mission of the EMBL and EICAT is responsible for achieving this mission. EICAT activities are organized into two major areas: internal training directed towards scientists and trainees within EMBL (e.g., the pre- and postdoctoral programmes), and external training directed towards the broader scientific community.

The Scientific Coordinator is responsible for the scientific, strategic and operational management of EICAT’s external training, which includes the EMBL course and conference programmes and the Visitors Programme. The Scientific Coordinator will assume chief responsibility for the maintenance and growth of the impact of EMBL external training on life science research. Details about duties and responsibilities are outlined below.

Programme development and delivery

• Lead initiatives to maximize the scientific, training and operational potential of the Advanced Training Centre, a new world-class conference and training facility


• Integrate, and build upon, researcher-initiated and EICAT-initiated programming


• Coordinate input from EMBL’s scientific community, corporate partners, and other external stakeholders


• Help identify and recruit scientific organizers and trainers for external training activities


• Facilitate regular communication, coordination, and collaborative development of external training across all five EMBL sites


• Lead regular review of programming, programme development and programme implementation


• Serve as the principal scientific liaison between researchers and the operations and logistics staff in EICAT external training

EICAT management

• Co-direct operations and strategic development of EICAT with the Academic Coordinator, the EICAT Coordinator, and the EMBL Associate Director


• Report to the EICAT Coordinator

Personnel management

• Direct supervision of the external training programme


• Overall responsibility for currently 13 employees

Financial management

• Lead development, regular review, and management of the annual budget for external training 


• Cooperate with EMBL Resource Development to maintain and further develop external financial support – e.g., registration, grants, corporate sponsors, and other external revenue

Essential

• PhD in the life sciences


• Post-graduate and professional experience in a scientific environment


• Keen interest and insight regarding contemporary biology


• Demonstrated proficiency in scientific management


• Leadership and team management skills


• Outstanding communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills


• Fluency in written and oral English

Desirable

• Experience in analyzing projects and programmes


• Expertise in developing and implementing strategies


• Experience overseeing multiple projects simultaneously


• Experience working collaboratively on projects across multiple departments and different types of work functions 


• Experience in organizing conferences, scientific courses, and in scientific training in general


• Experience writing successful grant applications


• Good working knowledge of German and/or French