Laboratory Officer

The Dorrity group at EMBL Heidelberg is seeking a motivated and skilled molecular biologist to join as a Laboratory Officer. Our group uses cutting-edge single-cell genomic techniques to study how cells regulate gene expression over time, with the goal of understanding how individual cells make decisions, respond to environmental signals, and establish stable identities. The position is primarily focused on wet lab work and centers on two complementary areas: maintaining and engineering mammalian cell culture systems, and developing novel low-input sequencing protocols adapted from state-of-the-art single-cell genomics approaches. An interest in learning basic programming or bioinformatics is a plus, but not required. If you are motivated to push the boundaries of what genomics can measure and want to do it in a collaborative, fast-moving environment, we want to hear from you.

Your role

Scientific Research:

• Establishment, maintenance, and engineering of mammalian cell culture systems, including generation of stable cell lines using plasmid transfection and genomic integration approaches

• Troubleshooting and adapting single-cell RNA sequencing protocols for low-input samples, including systematic optimisation of lysis, reverse transcription, and library preparation conditions

• Preparation and quality control of next-generation sequencing libraries

• Performing single-cell combinatorial indexing experiments (e.g. sci-RNA-seq). No prior experience required

• Cloning and engineering constructs in microbial systems (E. coli) for downstream mammalian applications

• Design and execution of mammalian cell perturbation experiments in collaboration with other group members

• Using CRISPR/Cas systems for genomic engineering of mammalian cell lines

Lab management, training and supervision:

• Onboarding and training of new group members or visitors in technologies and protocols used in the laboratory

• Testing new tools, reagents, and updates to experimental protocols

• Participation in and delegation of general laboratory management tasks such as: instrument maintenance, lab calendar, ordering, inventory, maintaining stocks and training

You have

• Advanced degree from an accredited university or technical school, or multiple years of experience in molecular biology or a related discipline

• Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture, including maintenance of cell lines and standard tissue culture techniques

• Experience in standard genomics techniques (RNA-seq, library preparation) and familiarity with next-generation sequencing workflows

• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot experimental protocols independently and systematically

• Independent work ethic and genuine curiosity to learn new methods and push them beyond their original design

• Ability to manage your contributions across multiple collaborative experiments simultaneously

• Ability to speak and write fluently in English, which is the working language at EMBL

You might also have

• Experience with stable cell line generation, including selection and validation of genomic integrations

• Familiarity with single-cell genomic lab techniques

• Interest or experience in bioinformatics or basic programming skills (Unix shell, R, or Python)

• Experience with CRISPR-based genomic engineering in mammalian cells

Contract duration: 3 years

Salary: Grade 5, monthly salary starting from EUR 4.147,92 (after tax, and before 12.99% EMBL social security deductions) plus other paid benefits.

Application process

Please submit your CV and cover letter through our online application system. In your cover letter, briefly describe how your experience and expertise would enable you to contribute to the Dorrity Group as a Laboratory Officer.

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 (Heidelberg), library, subsidised on-site 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 believe that diverse teams drive innovation and scientific excellence. We encourage applications from candidates of all genders, identities, nationalities and/or any other diverse backgrounds.

• 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