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.

The EMBL Barcelona site, set up in 2017, is located in the Barcelona Biomedical Research Park (PRBB), one of the largest infrastructures in Southern Europe dedicated to translational research. The main focus of EMBL Barcelona is tissue biology and disease modelling.

We are seeking a brilliant operational mind to partner with brilliant science leaders. You will lead an on-site team of 6 administration staff, be responsible for the management, organisation and delivery of all administrative services at EMBL Barcelona. This interdisciplinary team is composed of specialists in human resources, purchase and budget, facility management, health and safety, events, IT and general administrative support. The team also works closely with the support and collaboration of the central administration services in Heidelberg.

You will report to the Head of EMBL Barcelona and have a close working relationship with the central services located in Heidelberg under the Chief Operating Officer of EMBL as well as colleagues at different EMBL sites/units.

Your role

• You will lead the EMBL Barcelona’s administration team to support the primary mission of the EMBL Barcelona Unit – the pursuit of cutting-edge scientific research. To that end, you will develop a close working relationship with EMBL Barcelona Group Leaders and researchers.
• The primary focus of the role is to ensure the smooth-running of on-site operational matters. This covers a broad range of topics including human resources, purchase and budget, facility management, health and safety, events and general administrative support. You will also work closely with members of the central Grants, IT and Communications teams detached to Barcelona.
• You act as an important bridge between the local administration team and the central administration team in Heidelberg, but will also have significant operational autonomy.
• In addition to managing the team, you will be actively engaged in performing administrative tasks regularly.
• You will will work with the administration team to seek improvements in streamlining and effectiveness of admin operations, as well as in strategic projects for the site, such as risk management, long-term planning and sustainability.
• Support the Head of the EMBL Barcelona site in implementing strategic decisions as they relate to EMBL Barcelona.
• Close communication and cooperation with the local community of research centres is important to EMBL Barcelona, for scientific collaboration and joint activities. In this respect, you will foster constructive working relationships with the centres of the PRBB (especially the CRG and UPF) and across the local scientific landscape.
• Maintain our important and close administrative relationships with Spain as host member state, national and local authorities.
• Participate in internal and external working groups and advisory committees as appropriate, and foster productive connections with the administration teams across the 6 sites at the 5 EMBL host countries.

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Closing date: 13 September 2023

• Contract duration: 3 years (renewable up to 9 years)
• Grading: Commensurate with experience and qualifications
• Reference number: BCN00080

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You have

• Multiple years of experience in managing, leading and delivering operations and services in a scientific research or similarly complex organisation (including budgeting, staffing & human resources and contract management).
• A higher university degree, such as business/management or related. We are also interested in candidates with a science/biology education, if they also satisfy the management/administration experience requirements listed here.
• Experience working in an international environment, or for an intergovernmental organization.
• Excellent leadership and management skills, with proven ability to set out clear vision, purpose and plans, and motivate staff at all levels.
• High level people skills and the ability to work constructively, collaboratively, and productively in a diverse international environment.
• Proactive and problem-solving approach – aligning service provision with current requirements, while horizon-scanning and planning for future needs.
• Fluent written and spoken English and Spanish.

You might also have

• Demonstrable experience leading on equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI).
• Fluency in other languages.

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.

What else you need to know

Please note that appointments on fixed term contracts can be renewed, depending on circumstances at the time of the review.

**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.

Apply now