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EMBL

Intergovernmental European life sciences research organization

Personal Assistant/Unit Administrator

Full-TimeUpdated on 10/23/2026Deadline 11/3/26
€3.8k - €4.1k/mo
Mid
Heidelberg, Germany
In PersonCampus-based in Heidelberg.
Administrative & Executive AssistanceExecutive Support, Administrative Support

About the job

Requirements
  • Excellent secretarial, administrative, and organisational skills, including discretion, respect for confidentiality, attention to detail, and the ability to complete multiple parallel tasks.
  • Intercultural competence and a highly service-oriented mindset.
  • Relevant education, training, and work experience, preferably in a fast-paced international or scientific environment.
  • Fluency in written and spoken English.
  • Strong skills in commonly used office software.
  • Ability to perform under minimal supervision and a demonstrated track record of working well in a team environment.
  • Ability to proactively anticipate needs and solve problems.
Responsibilities
  • Provide high-level administrative and organisational support to the Director of Scientific Core Facilities and Scientific Services and broad administrative support to the Unit.
  • Manage the Director’s calendar, meetings, and appointments, including complex and time-sensitive scheduling.
  • Prepare meeting agendas, briefing materials, and minutes, and follow up on actions as required.
  • Coordinate internal and external meetings, visits, and events, and act as a trusted point of contact for internal and external stakeholders.
  • Organise multi-participant Unit-related events, such as Heads of Core Facilities meetings and Unit retreats.
  • Collate annual user metrics and create user statistics for presentations and wider documentation.
  • Assist with logistical and scheduling arrangements for new recruitments.
  • Oversee Unit administration.
  • Draft and manage Core Facilities communications and announcements to staff.
  • Approve invoices and purchases for payment or ordering.
  • Book and process Unit staff travel, shipments, and reimbursements.
  • Act as the focal point of the Unit and provide secretarial support and assistance wherever required.
Desired Qualifications
  • A good working knowledge of German.

About the company

EMBL is Europe’s flagship life sciences laboratory that conducts basic molecular biology research and runs a wide network of over 80 independent research groups across six sites (Heidelberg, Barcelona, Hamburg, Grenoble, Rome, and EMBL-EBI Hinxton). It also provides scientific services to member states, trains scientists and students, develops new instruments and methods for the life sciences, and engages in technology transfer to share discoveries. Its work is carried out by an intergovernmental organization dedicated to advancing European life science research. EMBL supports researchers through access to facilities and services, training programs, and collaborative projects, while coordinating and integrating resources across Europe and fostering tech transfer. Its goal is to advance fundamental science, enable scientific progress across Europe, and strengthen the ecosystem of life science research and innovation through collaboration, training, and shared tools.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Spain

Founded

1974

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What believers are saying

  • Boehringer Ingelheim Stiftung committed €7 million on 24 July 2025 for the Imaging Centre.
  • EMBL added serial lift-out, OPM, and Brillouin microscopy services in 2026.
  • EMBL employed about 1,264 people in March 2026 and keeps hiring for imaging roles.

What critics are saying

  • Member-state contributions funded only 44% of EMBL’s €373.6 million 2025 income.
  • Anthony Hyman started 31 March 2026 after an interim leadership period, creating execution risk.
  • EMBL Imaging Centre charges up to €1,550 daily, pushing users toward cheaper rivals.

What makes EMBL unique

  • EMBL’s six-site, member-state-funded model spans Heidelberg, Cambridge, Grenoble, Rome, and Barcelona.
  • The EMBL Imaging Centre offers open-access cryo-EM, super-resolution, and correlative workflows unavailable commercially.
  • EMBL publishes research while selling services, training, and access across academia and industry.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Flexible Work Hours
  • Paid Vacation
  • Hybrid Work Options
  • Family Planning Benefits
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan
  • Mental Health Support

Company News

StadtWissen
Jul 23rd, 2025
Boehringer Ingelheim Stiftung funds EMBL €7M

Boehringer Ingelheim Stiftung has committed €7 million to support the EMBL Imaging Centre in Heidelberg, enhancing its development of cutting-edge imaging technologies. This is the second funding round from BIS, following an initial €5 million in 2017. The funding will help recruit and maintain highly qualified staff, furthering the centre's role as a leading international hub for advanced microscopy technologies and training, having supported over 290 projects from 27 countries since mid-2021.