Head of Chemistry Core Facility

Language: English (UK)

Contract Type: Faculty Staff

Job Function: Senior Technical Officer (gr. 6-8)

Contract Duration-Length of Time (years/months): 5 years (renewable)

Contract Duration-Is this renewable to 9 years?: yes

About the team/job

EMBL is a world leader in scientific research and at the forefront in the development of cutting-edge-technologies. Research at EMBL is supported by the development of enabling technologies that are made available to the scientific community in its core facilities, eight of which are currently located at EMBL Heidelberg. Core facilities provide practical tools, expert advice and service for life scientists.

EMBL is seeking an experienced and highly motivated chemist to develop and head the Chemistry Core Facility in Heidelberg.

The chemistry core facility is used as a central chemistry centre of expertise by many different research groups across all EMBL sites and supports many research projects with a broad scientific spectrum. This includes synthesis of chemicals not commercially available, new tools for specific labelling or perturbation of targeted molecular processes for in vitro or in vivo experiments. One part of the chemistry services also include optimising screening hits using medicinal chemistry methods.

EMBL’s newly launched scientific Programme Molecules to Ecosystems aims to further understand of the molecular mechanisms of biological processes in the context of the environment and to provide translational potential to support advances in human and planetary health. New capabilities developed within the Chemistry Core Facility will form an integral part in answering research questions that aim to investigate the impact of natural and anthropogenic chemicals to gain functional insights.

Your role

As Head of the Chemistry Core Facility, you will:

• Lead and develop the facility in response to users’ needs
• Provide a central Chemistry Centre of Expertise for all EMBL research and service groups
  • This involves consultancy, project planning and execution as well as supporting scientists in applying for funding for collaborative research projects
• Interact closely with other core facilities and EMBL Services such as the Metabolomics Core Facility to develop integrated workflows
• Ensure the smooth, safe and flexible operation of a state-of-the art synthetic chemistry lab
• Promote chemical biology approaches at EMBL. Additional roleFor exceptional candidates the position may be combined with a research Team Leader position co-funded by one of the scientific Units

You have

• You have PhD in chemistry with a specialisation in organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry
• Several years of solid work experience in an interdisciplinary research environment
• Broad knowledge of several areas of general chemistry
• Good knowledge of molecular biology and chemical biology
• Proven experience in line management of highly qualified personnel
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Excellent organisational skills
• Ability to work in a team

You might also have

• Experience of working in a service research environment will be an advantage
• Knowledge or experience in one of the biological research topics at EMBL
• Experience in managing budgets

Why join us

This position is a fantastic opportunity to develop a chemistry service with a team at the cutting edge of technology development in a very exciting area at a world leading institute. You will be involved in many ongoing cutting-edge projects and activities and will collaborate with experts from the scientific community and have the possibility to acquire new state-of-the-art skills.

As one of the members of Core Facilities you will have a strong influence on establishing a collaborative culture and organization, and have a pivotal role in developing exciting methods and applications that will expand our ability to answer interesting biological fields across diverse research areas across EMBL.

EMBL is an inclusive, equal opportunity employer offering attractive conditions and benefits appropriate to an international research organisation with a very collegial and family-friendly working environment. The remuneration package comprises a competitive salary, a comprehensive pension scheme, medical, educational and other social benefits.

What else you need to know

We are Europe’s flagship research laboratory for the life sciences – an intergovernmental organisation performing scientific research in disciplines including molecular biology, physics, chemistry and computer science. We are an international, innovative and interdisciplinary laboratory with approx. 2 000 employees from many nations, operating across six sites, in Heidelberg (HQ), Barcelona, Hinxton near Cambridge, Hamburg, Grenoble and Rome.

Our mission is to offer vital services in training scientists, students and visitors at all levels; to develop new technologies and instruments in the life sciences, actively engage in technology transfer activities, and to integrate European life science research.

To apply, please fill in the online form and upload a motivation letter, your CV and a short (max. 2 pages) of description how you plan to develop the chemistry service

Interviews are planned to take place in August 2022.

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.

EMBL is a signatory of DORA. Find out how we implement best practices in research assessment in our recruitment processes here.