Project Officer

Contract Duration-Is this renewable to 9 years?:

Yes

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

3

About the team/job

EMBL Heidelberg is seeking a Project Officer to join Prof. Jan Korbel's group in the Genome Biology Unit to manage and grow the portfolio of ongoing research activities. Within manifold national and international collaborative research initiatives, the Korbel group combines computational and experimental approaches, including in single cells, to unravel determinants and consequences of germline and somatic genetic variation. Involvement in international consortia requires scientific project management, coordinated communication between project partners, as well as grants management. The Project Officer will work closely with Jan Korbel and other group members in communication and management of current research projects, with a particular emphasis on reporting, communication and coordination of activities, and as such would have the opportunity to actively manage scientific research projects in the Korbel group. S/He will additionally tightly interact with the EMBL administration (grant office and finance) and with representatives from collaborating research institutions. 

Your role

In detail, tasks will include:

• Participation in and documentation of group and network meetings as well as teleconference calls. 
• Documentation and participation in the planning of project strategies and time management, communication thereof within the team(s). 
• Communication of project results to scientific colleagues, external collaborators, and the general public. 
• Close monitoring of project progress and preparation of decision points, developing efficient work plans, and illustrating project schedules. 
• Participation in grant writing. 
• Scientific reporting, including reporting to funding agencies. 
• Assembly of briefing materials, organization of meetings, and minuting of teleconferences. 
• Proactively driving communication and inter-personal relationships within international research consortia. 

These activities will ensure effective coordination of and between the different research projects and maximize synergies wherever possible. In addition, they may form the basis to recognize new opportunities and apply for new funding for future projects, based on current and new results and new technology developments. 

You have

The candidate should hold an advanced university degree in the life sciences or equivalent (PhD is an advantage). The post holder will have outstanding and effective organisational skills and will enjoy working in an independent and pro-active manner, across a broad range of functions and with maximum flexibility in a dynamic international scientific environment. Effective multitasking and the ability to work with tight deadlines are also required. Fluency in spoken and written English language skills will be essential for carrying out the work; other linguistic skills (especially German) will be a plus. Excellent interpersonal skills as well as creativity and a collaborative team spirit are required, and a willingness to travel would be a plus (but is not mandatory). The ability to anticipate needs, to help promote the career of students and postdocs within the Korbel group, and to maintain excellent working relationships with all team members are essential. Part time employment (at least 60%) may be a possibility.

You might also have

• formal qualifications and/or work experience in scientific project management are considered a strong advantage;
• experience with content management systems and/or basic web development skills
• visual communication skills.

Why join us

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 from a competitive salary, a comprehensive pension scheme, medical, educational and other social benefits, and the availability of an excellent child care facility on campus. 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.

What else you need to know

The Korbel group at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), within the Genome Biology Unit, is a ‘hybrid’ laboratory in which computational biologists and experimentalist collaborate tightly to obtain new insights into human disease and molecular mechanisms. By combining experimental and computational approaches, including single-cell sequencing technology, we aim to unravel determinants and consequences of germline and somatic genetic variation. Our group is using bulk as well as single cell-based omics approaches for investigating mechanisms behind complex phenotypes in humans, ranging from common diseases including cancer to ageing. An overarching theme centers on the formation and selection of germline and somatic genetic variation in health and disease states, in particular genomic structural variation (SV).