Programme Manager

Programme Manager

EMBL - European Molecular Biology Laboratory

Heidelberg, Germany

Join us to shape EMBL AI, a new EMBL initiative which aims to exploit the full potential of AI-based approaches to advance scientific discovery.

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) has long been a pioneer in developing and applying Artificial Intelligence (AI) to advance research in genomics, structural biology, and drug discovery. Innovative AI models like AlphaFold – developed by Google DeepMind and trained on rich biological data made available by EMBL-EBI and collaborators – have already revolutionised protein structure prediction.

As part of this new initiative, EMBL will establish an EMBL-wide approach to incorporate AI across all its missions. EMBL AI will advance theoretical foundations of AI, increasing expertise in AI-driven biological modelling and expanding the potential for AI as a transformative scientific tool, ensuring that data resources and frameworks support seamless interaction between AI and research activities.

Your role

In your role as Programme Manager you will support the buildup, implementation and running of EMBL AI, managing its projects and collaborations under the direction of the Head of EMBL AI. You will oversee planning, execution, and reporting, ensuring timely delivery of milestones, budget adherence, and alignment with EMBL’s missions and AI strategy. Your role will be central in managing EMBL-wide AI activities, facilitating communication between different groups and stakeholders, and maintaining alignment between scientific developments and project objectives. The role will involve close cooperation and identification of synergies with stakeholders across all six sites of EMBL, including research, services, training, IT and others.

Your responsibilities include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Supporting the establishment and shaping of EMBL AI, and driving and managing its implementation, including defining project plans and priorities in alignment with AI leadership and EMBL management;
• Contributing to strategic planning, time management, documentation, and internal communication within project teams;
• Coordinating recruitment for the initiative, including research faculty, AI engineers, and interdisciplinary scientists;
• Managing communication and reporting with external collaborators, funders, and wider relevant audiences;
• Closely monitoring project progress, preparing decision points, developing efficient work plans, identifying risks, and coordinating mitigation strategies;
• Leading the preparation of internal reports and contributing to grant applications;
• Proactively driving effective communication with internal stakeholders across all EMBL sites;
• Administering budgets, including monitoring expenditure for EMBL AI;
• Acting as a key point of contact for stakeholders, users, and collaborating organisations.

The role is located at EMBL Heidelberg but will entail substantial interactions with other EMBL sites.

You have

• Proven experience in establishing and managing large and complex (scientific) projects, preferably in an international setting;
• An advanced university degree in computer science, physics, mathematics or the life sciences;
• Familiarity with AI and/or data-driven research technologies;
• Outstanding organisational and communication skills, with the ability to work independently and proactively across diverse teams and functions;
• Flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic international scientific environment;
• Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders;
• Strong multitasking abilities and capacity to meet tight deadlines;
• Fluency in spoken and written English;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, creativity, and a collaborative team spirit;
• Willingness and ability to travel within Europe as required;
• Proactive and curious mindset, with the ability to anticipate needs, identify opportunities for improvement, and maintain excellent working relationships in an international setting.

You might also have

• Prior work experience with AI technologies;
• Prior work experience in the life sciences;
• Experience working independently in a dynamic environment;
• Experience working across multiple international sites;
• Proficiency in other languages, especially German, is a plus.

Contract length: 3 years (renewable to a maximum of 9 years).
Starting date: Flexible, preferably as soon as possible.
Salary: Grade 5 to 7. Monthly starting salary from EUR 4.459 to EUR 5.882 net of tax, excl. pension and health insurance contributions.

Application Instructions

Along with your application (CV and cover letter), please include a short accompanying letter (no more than 300 words) sharing what excites you about digital innovation and new technologies such as AI in the context of the life sciences.

You don’t need to be a tech expert! We’re more interested in your imagination, perspective, and enthusiasm: how you connect with these ideas and what inspires you about them in the context of this role and your own expertise. Think of it as a glimpse into how you see the future, and how you’d like to be part of shaping it.

For more details refer to www.embl.org/topics/ai-at-embl/ or contact AI@embl.org.

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: 08/12/2025