Research Technician / Laboratory Officer

at  European Molecular Biology Laboratory

THE EMBL HEIDELBERG IS RECRUITING A RESEARCH TECHNICIAN TO JOIN THE GROUP OF DR. SVETLANA DODONOVA IN THE STRUCTURAL AND COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY UNIT.

The Dodonova group studies the principles of chromatin 3D organization in Archaea using a combination of biochemistry, biophysics, and cryo-electron microscopy including cryo electron tomography.
The successful candidate will play an important role in maintaining the smooth operation of the research lab, and will have the opportunity to participate in research projects as part of a team. The job will also offer an opportunity to learn and apply cryo-EM if the candidate is interested to do so.

Your role

• General lab management and organization: managing inventories and stocks of samples, reagents, equipment and materials, ordering, point of contact for sales and facilities.
• Training new and current lab members in standard laboratory techniques and use of equipment (PCR machines, electrophoresis, western blot, Aekta systems etc.).
• Conducting experiments (individually or as part of a team) in the area of standard molecular biology (cloning, PCR, etc.), standard biochemistry (protein expression and purification). Documentation of protocols and results, presentation of results at group meetings.
• Maintaining lab safety standards, consulting lab members on the safe use of equipment and chemicals based on existing rules
• Help with organization and scheduling of regular group meetings and other regular seminars in the group

Closing date: 31 July 2024
Contract duration: 3 years
Grading: 4, 5 or 6; depending on qualifications and experience (monthly salary starting from 3.4-4.3k EUR after tax + other paid benefits)
Reference number: HD02629

You have

• Undergraduate or advanced degree from an accredited university or technical school.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work as part of a team, and interact with other lab members in a positive and effective manner
• Experience in standard molecular biology techniques (cloning, PCR, etc.), standard biochemistry techniques (protein expression and purification).
• Ability to speak and write fluently in English, which is the working language at EMBL.

You might also have

• Previous experience working as a lab research technician.
• Ability to speak and write in German at intermediate or fluent level.

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.
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.
** Don’t meet every single requirement? We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply nevertheless.
What else you need to know
We are Europe’s 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 more than 1900 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 instruments and methods in the life sciences and actively engage in technology transfer activities, and to integrate European life science research. The working language of the institute is English.
EMBL is located in Heidelberg, which is a beautiful and vibrant international city.
In your online application, you will be asked to include a cover letter, CV and the contact details of 3 referees. Further information about the position can be obtained from Svetlana Dodonova.
The interviews are planned for the first week of September 2024.
Prospective starting date: 1 of January 2025
Please note that appointments on fixed term contracts can be renewed 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.
Please apply online through: www.embl.org/job

• General lab management and organization: managing inventories and stocks of samples, reagents, equipment and materials, ordering, point of contact for sales and facilities.
• Training new and current lab members in standard laboratory techniques and use of equipment (PCR machines, electrophoresis, western blot, Aekta systems etc.).
• Conducting experiments (individually or as part of a team) in the area of standard molecular biology (cloning, PCR, etc.), standard biochemistry (protein expression and purification). Documentation of protocols and results, presentation of results at group meetings.
• Maintaining lab safety standards, consulting lab members on the safe use of equipment and chemicals based on existing rules
• Help with organization and scheduling of regular group meetings and other regular seminars in the grou