Head of IT Services, EMBL Hamburg

About EMBL Hamburg

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) is a world-leading life sciences intergovernmental research organization, backed by more than 30 countries, with its main laboratory in Heidelberg, Germany, and five additional sites across Europe. 

EMBL Hamburg, is one of the six sites of the EMBL. We are based on the DESY campus in Hamburg, a vibrant centre for structural and molecular biology, specialising in cutting-edge biology research and services. 

At EMBL Hamburg, our scientists develop and apply advanced methods, including crystallography, Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS), and X-ray imaging, to address fundamental questions in molecular life sciences, with a strong focus on infection biology. 

We are also a member of the Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB) on the same campus, and many of our research projects are carried out jointly with its other partners.

The work at EMBL Hamburg requires state-of-the art IT infrastructures, with high demands for data storage, transfer and computational power. We are looking for a Head of IT to lead that team and shape how its services develop.

If you would like to contribute to biological research by running and developing the IT systems that support it, we would love to hear from you.

Your role

As Head of IT Services at EMBL Hamburg, you will be responsible for local IT services and infrastructure, leading and developing a small team of IT professionals and taking a hands-on role in its work. 

You will administer our systems, work directly with the people who use them and troubleshoot technical problems, as well as helping to implement and improve the IT infrastructure that supports our research.

You will report to the Head of EMBL Hamburg, with a technical reporting line to the head of EMBL's central IT Services, and work closely with that team, with colleagues across EMBL and with local partners.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and developing the EMBL Hamburg IT team, and keeping its day-to-day operations running effectively including through hands-on involvement
• Coordinating core IT operations: data storage, computing, networking, security, and backup and disaster recovery
• Managing projects to implement and upgrade IT infrastructure
• Overseeing desktop systems and support across Windows, macOS and Linux
• Working with scientific, administrative and external users to understand their needs and provide responsive support
• Driving improvement and innovation in IT at EMBL Hamburg, together with IT teams across EMBL
• Taking part in strategic IT infrastructure planning with the other EMBL sites, and contributing to EMBL's digital strategy and IT initiatives

You have

• A degree in computer science or a related field, or equivalent professional experience
• Several years of experience managing IT services in a complex environment, ideally in research or higher education
• Solid technical expertise in Linux system administration, heterogeneous networks, storage systems, and IT security
• Strong communication and organisational skills, with a collaborative and service-oriented approach
• Fluency in English; knowledge of German would be advantageous

You might also have

• Experience leading and managing individual(s) or Team 
• Experience in running and/or developing IT systems at synchrotrons or similar research infrastructures
• Experience managing Windows and macOS systems and hardware
• Proficiency in at least one programming or scripting language
• Familiarity with high-performance computing (HPC) or large-scale data environments

Don’t be discouraged from applying if you don’t have experience with every technology listed. We value the right experience, aptitude and attitude.

Contract duration: 3 years, renewable to a maximum of 9 years.

Salary: Grade 7 or 8, monthly salary starting from EUR 5.408,54 after tax plus generous benefits and financial allowances based on individual circumstances. Excluding 12.99% personal pension and insurance contributions. 

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.

Enjoy lots of benefits:

• Financial incentives: Salary free of income tax, 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 public holidays

• Relocation package including installation grant (if applicable)

• Campus life: Free shuttle bus (Heidelberg), library, subsidised on-site cafeteria, casual dress code, extensive sports and social club activities (on campus and remotely)

• Family benefits: Kindergarten (Heidelberg), 10 days of child sick leave, generous paid maternity/parental leave and monthly family & child allowances

• Benefits for international newcomers: 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 detailed information please visit our employee benefits page here

What else you need to know

• International applicants: We recruit internationally and successful candidates are offered visa exemptions. Visit our International Applicants page, to find out more.

• EMBL is a signatory of DORA. Find out how we apply DORA principles to our recruitment and performance assessment processes here.

• Diversity and inclusion: At EMBL, we believe that diverse teams drive innovation and scientific excellence. We encourage applications from candidates of all genders, identities, nationalities and/or any other diverse backgrounds.

• How to apply: To apply please submit a cover letter and a CV through our online system. Applications will close at 23:59 CET on the date shown below. We aim to provide a response within two weeks after the closing date.

Closing Date

22/10/2026