Lab Manager

Since its inauguration in 2021, the EMBL Imaging Centre (IC) has rapidly established itself as a world-leading user facility for cutting-edge light and electron microscopy (LM and EM). Its core mission is to provide researchers across EMBL’s member states with open access to the most advanced imaging technologies, enabling investigations that span molecular, cellular, and organismal scales. By offering high-end instrumentation as well as completely new developments as reliable, expert-supported services, the EMBL Imaging Centre plays a central role in advancing pioneering life science research – positioning  itself at the forefront of integrated life science infrastructure in Europe (for more information see https://www.embl.org/about/info/imaging-centre/). 

With the EMBL Imaging Centre now fully operational and continuing to grow in scope, we are seeking new team members to join our international, highly collaborative team comprising microscopy engineers, application specialists, image analysts and project managers having the mission of highest-level user service provision and workflow development. 

The Research and Service Management Team led by Stephanie Alexander is looking for a highly organised and proactive Lab Manager to take charge of the day-to-day operations and organisation of our laboratory.   

Other positions currently open in the EMBL IC:

• Application specialist in advanced cryo-electron microscopy

• Application specialist in advanced light microscopy

Your role

The successful candidate will be responsible for a smooth running of the IC’s laboratories — from inventory management to sample preparation — while supporting the IC service teams and users.

Key responsibilities include:

• Operations and Organisation: Manage and stock inventories (consumables, reagents, samples), oversee asset management, ensure lab safety, and coordinate those with the research teams’ lab officers and industry partners in the building.

• Research Technician Work: Maintain culture of cell lines and model organisms, prepare reference and if qualification and time allows specialised samples.

• Operational Support of users: support the user management and service teams in organising user visits, handle shipments, order supplies, and assist in lab activities during visits.

• Training and Collaboration: Support training and workshops, foster collaboration with research units and core facilities, and liaise with administrative and technical departments on campus.

You have

• Undergraduate degree in the life sciences, or equivalent education, e.g. as technical assistant (common in Germany “Technischer Assistant/TA”).

• Proven experience in laboratory operations, ideally in a life sciences or research setting.

• Strong organisational skills with a systematic and proactive approach to work.

• Ability to self-organise and prioritise tasks effectively.

• Practical experience in cell culture and sample handling. 

• A strong motivation to support scientists in all organisational matters.

• Excellent communication skills.

• Fluency in English.

• Communicative German preferred. ​

You may also have

• Experience in laboratory operations in imaging facilities.

• Experience in supporting light and/or electron microscopy workflows.

• Experience in applying light and/or electron microscopy.

Contract length

3 years

Salary

Grade 5, monthly salary from EUR 4.031,02 (after tax, and before 12.05% EMBL social security deductions) plus other paid benefits

How to apply

In your online application, please submit a cover letter, a CV and the contact details of 3 referees. If you are applying to several positions please indicate that in your cover letter. 

We will conduct two rounds of interviews, first online during the weeks of 13 to 24 October, followed by onsite interviews in the week of 24 November.

Further information about the position can be obtained from Stephanie Alexander ([email protected]).

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