Scientific Training Officer

About the team/job

This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the advancement of early-career scientists globally and to work within one of Europe's leading life sciences research organizations. As a staff member of the EMBL International Centre for Advanced Training (EICAT), your role is pivotal in contributing to the organization's training mission. Working within a dynamic team, you will be responsible for ensuring the successful delivery of scientific practical courses, leveraging your scientific training and organizational skills. In the run-up to some courses, weekend work may be necessary which is compensated by time-off or overtime pay. You will work in a team with two scientific training officers. You will report to the External Scientific Courses Programme Lead. The role is based on-site at EMBL Heidelberg in Germany and while full participation onsite to deliver courses is mandatory, hybrid working options are possible between events in agreement with your line manager. 

Your role

Course Operations (in collaboration with your course team colleagues):

• Collaborate with course organisers to plan wet lab and computer training practicals.
• Prepare protocol booklets.
• Assess the practicality and logistics of implementing course activities.
• Collaborate closely with course organizers, trainers, and tutors and other users to facilitate smooth lab activities.
• Coordinate/assist the delivery, installation, and uninstallation of course-specific training/demo equipment and reagents.
• Assist with the negotiation of in-kind sponsorship with companies.
• Coordinate with the IT team for set up of computational practicals/courses and the Core Facilities for access and use of equipment and training for wet lab practicals.
• Assist course organizers in managing pre-course work through EMBL’s learning management system (EMBLeCampus), ensuring participants have access to necessary materials. (Training will be provided)

Training Lab Operations:

• Manage inventory and equipment in the training lab, ensuring supplies are well-stocked and equipment is in optimal condition.
• Ensure adherence to access guidelines, booking procedures, and safety protocols in the training laboratory for all users, while participating the implementing and advancement of sustainability measures in accordance with awarded LEAF certification.
• Assist with monitoring and planning the training lab budget.

Ad-hoc Support and Collaboration: 

• Provide support to senior team members on ad-hoc tasks as needed.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with external partners, sponsors, suppliers, and co-trainers.
• Foster positive working relationships with EMBL staff, including but not limited to Internal Training, IT, Purchasing, Finance, Health & Safety, Facility Management, Core Facilities, and Science Education and Public Engagement (SEPE). 

You have

• A MSc or PhD degree in the molecular life sciences or a technical school degree (BTA/CTA/PTA) with relevant research or professional experience in academia or industry.
• Proficiency in a broad portfolio of wet lab molecular biology techniques, especially cell culture work.
• Basic computational skills or a willingness to support computer training laboratory setup for courses.
• Strong organizational skills with meticulous attention to meeting deadlines.
• Willingness to learn and progressively assume responsibilities.
• Open-minded, friendly, and collaborative mindset when interacting with various stakeholders.
• Team-player
• Excellent professional fluency in English 

You might also have

• Advanced computational data analysis experience.
• A good level in German would be advantageous..
• Previous experience with e-learning or learning management systems (e.g., Moodle).
• Project management tools for progress tracking 

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.

EMBL offers attractive conditions and benefits appropriate to an international research organisation with a very collegial and family-friendly working environment. Competitive salary and social security benefits, financial support for relocation, a relaxed culture, professional development, an on-site nursery, canteen and other staff facilities make EMBL a great place to work.

Enjoy lots of benefits

• Start a fulfilling career in scientific training of researchers from around the world
• Opportunity to build an international network of contacts with scientists and companies who participate in our training programme
• Financial incentives: Income tax expemtion, monthly family, child and non-resident allowances, annual salary review, a pension scheme, life insurance, long-term care, accident-at-work and unemployment insurances
• Flexible working arrangements
• Certified training and continued development of your professional and personal skills
• Private medical insurance for you and your immediate family
• Generous time off: 30 days annual leave per year
• Generous relocation package including installation grant (if applicable)
• Family benefits: On-site nursery, 10 days of child sick leave, generous parental leave and monthly family and 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 amonthly non-resident allowance 

What else you need to know

Please note that appointments on fixed term contracts can be renewed for up to 9 years in total, depending on circumstances at the time of the review.

To apply please submit a cover letter and a CV through our online system.