EMDB Team Leader

About the team/job

In the wake of the “resolution revolution” in cryo-EM, the Electron Microscopy Data Bank (EMDB; emdb-empiar.org) has become a critical resource in this area, being the globally unique archive for cryo-EM volume data. In just a few years’ time, the archive has grown from a few thousand to around 25,000 entries and it has taken a leading role in acquiring and implementing community recommendations on how cryo-EM data should be archived and validated. With continuing revolutionary developments in the field (such as in-situ structural biology) and major progress in other relevant fields (such as accurate protein-structure prediction methods), the years ahead promise to be equally exciting and challenging for EMDB.

To tackle the challenges ahead, the European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) is now recruiting an EMDB Team Leader (an EMBL Faculty position). The position is one-of-a-kind in the world and a unique opportunity for a scientist with experience in this rapidly expanding and developing field to have a huge impact on how the scientific community archives, validates and re-uses cryo-EM data in the coming decade.

EMDB was founded at EMBL-EBI in 2002 and is now a core archive of the Worldwide Protein Data Bank organisation (wwPDB; wwpdb.org). New data depositions are biocurated by the wwPDB partners and the future development of the archive will also be carried out in collaboration with the other wwPDB partners. The EMDB team at EMBL-EBI also provides a number of web-based resources and services to make EMDB data accessible to a wide variety of users (e.g., website, API) and to support the cryo-EM community (e.g., Validation Analysis resource, FSC server, EMICSS resource). 

Your role

The successful candidate will lead a team (of 7 staff members at present) to further develop EMDB, working with wwPDB partners and community experts, to ensure that the archive serves the needs of researchers, data scientists, funders and the wider public. This will involve anticipating and assessing the impact of methodological developments in the field on archival, curation, integration, visualisation and dissemination of cryo-EM data. Currently, the EMDB activities are funded by EMBL-EBI and the Wellcome Trust, and we expect the new Team Leader to be able to make a compelling case to funders to support its continued operation and development. 

You have

This position is for an ambitious scientist, with a passion for open data, who wants to lead the development of a unique resource for global, public cryo-EM data archiving, integration and dissemination.

The following are key requirements for this role; applicants should be able to demonstrate most of them:

• A PhD degree in a relevant field.
• At least 3 years post-doctoral experience in the cryo-EM field.
• Good understanding of data collection, handling, processing, analysis, visualisation, interpretation, archiving, and validation in one or more of the common cryo-EM modalities.
• Demonstrated knowledge of research using cryo-EM techniques broadly as well as of the cryo-EM community and its practices, standards, and resources.
• Software development skills and experience in, or understanding of, modern software development by a team of developers.
• Project and people-management experience.
• Enthusiasm for engaging with the wider cryo-EM community. 

You might also have

The following are highly desirable:

• Experience in writing successful grants.
• An established profile in the cryo-EM community as demonstrated by a) attendance and presentations at key cryo-EM meetings such as the 3DEM Gordon Conferences, b) activity on cryo-EM news groups and social media channels, and/or c) authorship on high-profile papers in the field.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with a collaborative spirit. 

Why join us

Do something meaningful

At EMBL-EBI you can apply your talent and passion to accelerate science and tackle some of humankind's greatest challenges. EMBL-EBI, part of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, is a worldwide leader in the storage, analysis and dissemination of large biological datasets. We provide the global research community with access to publicly available databases and tools which are crucial for the advancement of healthcare, food security, and biodiversity.

Join a culture of innovation

We are located on the Wellcome Genome Campus, alongside other prominent research and biotech organisations, and surrounded by beautiful Cambridgeshire countryside. This is a highly collaborative and inclusive community where our employees enjoy a relaxed atmosphere. We are committed to ensuring our employees feel valued, supported and empowered to reach their professional potential. 

Enjoy lots of benefits:

• Financial incentives: 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 eight bank holidays
• Relocation package including installation grant (if required)
• Campus life: Free shuttle bus to and from work, on-site library, subsidised on-site gym and cafeteria, casual dress code, extensive sports and social club activities (on campus and remotely)
• Family benefits: On-site nursery, 10 days of child sick leave, generous parental leave, holiday clubs on campus and monthly family and child allowances
• Benefits for non-UK residents: 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 more details please see our employee benefits page. 

What else you need to know

• Contract duration: This position is a 5 year contract, renewable to a maximum of 9 years. 
• International applicants: We recruit internationally and successful candidates are offered visa exemptions. Read more on our page for international applicants. 
• Diversity and inclusion: At EMBL-EBI, we strongly believe that inclusive and diverse teams benefit from higher levels of innovation and creative thought. We encourage applications from women, LGBTQ+ and individuals from all nationalities. 
• EMBL is a signatory of DORA: Find out how we apply DORA principles to our recruitment and performance assessment processes here. 
• Job location: This role is based in Hinxton, near Cambridge, UK. You will be required to relocate if you are based overseas and you will receive a generous relocation package to support you.
• How to apply: To apply please submit a cover letter and a CV through our online system. In your application letter, please demonstrate how you fit each of the key requirements and desirable qualifications.
• Interviews: Candidates invited for an interview will be asked to give a brief presentation that demonstrates their previous experience and what they would bring to the role (5 minutes) and what their approach and vision would be to leading the development of EMDB, and what they think the challenges will be (10 minutes).  Interviews will be virtual and will take place on Monday 13 March 2023. 

To apply, click the 'Apply' button.