Head of Lab Services

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) is Europe’s flagship life science research institute. With six sites across the continent, EMBL brings together top scientists, cutting-edge technologies, and a collaborative spirit.

Located on the EPN Science Campus alongside ESRF, ILL, and IBS, EMBL Grenoble offers a uniquely vibrant environment for structural biology and integrated life science research. Here, our teams explore RNA biology, infection biology, evolutionary cell biology, and the muscle cytoskeleton, while pioneering innovative tools in synchrotron X-ray and cryo-electron microscopy.

We are seeking a proactive, hands-on, and visionary Head of Lab Services to lead our Lab Services Team and ensure that our scientific infrastructure and shared resources operate smoothly, efficiently, and reliably.

Be part of an institute where your leadership will directly empower world-class science!

Your role

You will be responsible for ensuring the smooth, reliable, and efficient operation of EMBL Grenoble’s scientific instruments, infrastructure, and laboratory services. This is a key role at the heart of our research unit: you will directly enable scientific excellence by ensuring that our scientists have access to well-maintained shared equipment, high-quality reagents and consumables, and seamless technical support. You will also anticipate future needs, contribute strategically to the planning of new infrastructure, and support the purchase and integration of new instruments.

You will manage, mentor, and inspire the Lab Services Team (currently two members), while working closely with facility managers, technicians, administrative staff, and the Health & Safety Officer. You will report directly to the Head of EMBL Grenoble.

Responsibilities include:

Team Leadership and Operations Management:

• Lead, mentor, and manage the Lab Services Team (2–3 members), planning and overseeing day-to-day activities.
• With the team, ensure delivery of core services to the Unit: cleaning and sterilisation of labware, preparation of buffers and media, consumables logistics, and other essential support for wet-lab activities.
• Facilitate communication and coordination between the team, research groups, and service units (e.g. building maintenance, health & safety, IT, administration).
• Organise and chair relevant meetings to ensure effective coordination and communication.

Shared Scientific Equipment Coordination

• Maintain and oversee shared scientific instruments such as, but not limited to, FPLC systems, spectrophotometers, centrifuges, laminar flow hoods, plate readers.
• Ensure routine maintenance, calibration, and operability of instruments.
• Design and provide training sessions on scientific equipment usage and best practices.
• Maintain and update technical documentation and user guidelines.

Scientific and Strategic Contributions

• Monitor emerging technologies and evolving research needs to identify opportunities for upgrading or introducing new infrastructure or new technologies.

• Continuously improve workflows and protocols for greater efficiency of Unit operations.

• Drive knowledge sharing by organising and maintaining online resources and hosting training events such as workshops, user days, and equipment demonstrations to promote best practices and highlight emerging technologies.

• Liaise with other EMBL sites and partner institutes in Grenoble to facilitate access to specialised instrumentation and foster collaboration.

• Support the onboarding of new groups at EMBL, including support in negotiations with vendors of equipment and reagents.

Administration and Budgeting

• Oversee budgets for shared consumables, reagents, and equipment.
• Coordinate purchases, negotiate with vendors, and manage supplier relationships.
• Contribute to the recruitment and onboarding of new technical staff.
• Participate in planning and coordinating lab space reorganisations and renovations.
• Maintain laboratory inventory and manage equipment maintenance contracts, ensuring compliance and proper documentation.
• Manage and provide annual reports on contracts and equipment to the Head of EMBL Grenoble.

Operational Flexibility

• Provide hands-on support to the Lab Support Team as needed.
• Carry out additional tasks related to Lab Services as requested by the Head of Unit.

You have

• Education & experience: A PhD, Master’s or technical degree in Molecular Biology, Structural Biology or Biochemistry or related field, combined with solid practical experience in research wet-lab settings. Three years of working experience after a PhD or 5-6 years of working experience after a degree.
• Technical expertise: Strong hands-on experience with FPLCs and related instrumentation used in biochemistry and molecular biophysics. Comprehensive knowledge of the technologies underpinning advanced scientific instrumentation, with proven ability to ensure correct operation, perform routine maintenance, train users, and troubleshoot technical issues. Capable of executing minor technical interventions such as replacing UV lamps, filters, pumps, and other key components.
• Problem-solving mindset: Skilled in troubleshooting technical issues and performing minor repairs (e.g. replacing UV lamps, filters, and similar components).
• Commitment to Excellence: A strong drive to deliver work of the highest quality to support and advance EMBL Grenoble's scientific mission.
• Adaptability: Ability to quickly learn and adapt to new techniques, methodologies, and tools in a fast-moving research environment.
• Interpersonal skills: Excellent communication, organisational, and teamwork abilities, with the motivation to serve as a go-to resource for researchers, PhD students, and postdocs.
• Languages: Fluency in English and a strong working knowledge of French are required.
• Digital proficiency: Experience with office and lab management software and collaborative tools.
• Leadership: Strong teamwork and team management skills, and the ability to work effectively in a multicultural, international research setting.

You might also have

• Previous experience in a lab management, research support, or facility coordination role in the above areas of life science
• Previous experience in staff supervision, budget administration, and supplier negotiation.
• Familiarity with laboratory purchasing, logistics, and inventory systems.

How to Apply

Submit your application via www.embl.org/jobs, including:

• A cover letter, written in English, outlining your motivation and relevant experience and reflecting your own voice. We are genuinely interested in understanding why you see this as the right next step in your career and whether you are prepared to relocate to Grenoble.
• Your full CV in English.
• Contact information for at least two referees

Informal inquiries on the position can be directed to Prof. Kristina Djinovic Carugo at kristina.djinovic@emb l.org.

Contract length: 3 years (renewable to a maximum of 9 years)

Salary: Monthly salary from 4.023,79 EUR after tax, and before personal pension and insurance contributions (12.05%) plus other paid benefits.

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(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 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 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.

Closing Date