Scientific Expert for the Eukaryotic Expression Facility

EMBL Grenoble is a leading centre for molecular structural biology, bringing together an international community of scientists, engineers, and support professionals. At the interface of structural biology and cell biology, we investigate fundamental questions in RNA and infection biology, eukaryogenesis, and the muscle cytoskeleton. By combining cutting-edge structural approaches with biochemistry, molecular biology, and cellular biophysics, we uncover molecular mechanisms that shape life across scales - from individual macromolecules to complex cellular systems.

EMBL Grenoble is looking for a Scientific Expert for the Eukaryotic Expression Facility, to support the production of recombinant proteins and protein complexes using insect, mammalian, and protist cell systems. These samples enable downstream characterization such as purification, functional characterisation, and structural and in-cell studies.

Furthermore, the facility also provides advanced Light Microscopy and Cell Sorting. The facility and its instrumentation are used extensively by EMBL Grenoble but also serve scientists across all EMBL sites and the Grenoble scientific community in partnership with EMBL.

As Scientific Expert, you will lead the day-to-day scientific and technical operation of the Eukaryotic Expression Facility and provide expert support to its users.

Your role:

• Advising users on the selection and optimisation of expression systems for recombinant proteins, protein complexes and endogenous expression strategies.

• Developing tailored solutions to challenging production problems, including construct and cell-line engineering, genome-editing strategies, expression optimisation and downstream purification.

• Developing, adopting and benchmarking new protocols for protein and protein-complex production for structural and functional studies.

• Managing the daily operation of the facility’s laboratories and equipment, including the cell sorter and advanced light microscopes.

• Ensuring that equipment is appropriately maintained, serviced and upgraded, and identifying future investment requirements.

• Managing consumables, reagents and other facility resources.

• Training users and contributing to courses and educational activities at EMBL and externally.

• Maintaining accurate usage records, performance indicators and facility statistics.

• Representing EMBL’s expertise at scientific meetings, courses and within local and international partnerships.

• Collaborating closely with the Cryo-Electron Microscopy Facility in-house, and with the Protein Expression and Purification Facility and Imaging Center at EMBL Heidelberg, as well as with the Sample Preparation and Characterization Facility at EMBL Hamburg, including occasional travel to these sites.

You have:

• Technical, Master or PhD degree in biochemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.

• A proven track record in cell biology, eukaryotic cell culture, recombinant protein or protein-complexes expression strategies.

• Experience in construct design, expression optimisation, and protein-complex characterisation.

• Experience with recombinant DNA and genome-engineering approaches.

• A high degree of service orientation and the ability to support users with different levels of experience.

• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills.

• Excellent organisational, interpersonal and communication skills. 

You may also have:

• Experience with insect, mammalian or protist expression systems at different production scales.

• Experience with protein purification for structural or functional studies.

• Experience operating cell sorters or advanced light microscopes.

• Familiarity with cryo-electron microscopy sample preparation.

• Experience managing a scientific facility or shared research infrastructure.

• Experience with laboratory budgets, procurement and negotiations concerning scientific instruments or reagents.

• Experience delivering practical training or scientific courses.

• Demonstrated ability to lead negotiations for the purchase of instrumentation and reagents.

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

Salary: Grade 5 or 6 depending on qualifications and experience, monthly salary starting from EUR 3.568,39 (after tax, and before 12.99% EMBL social security deductions) plus other paid benefits. 

The working language of the institute is English. Please note that appointments on fixed-term contracts can be renewed, depending on circumstances at the time of the review.

Further information about this position can be obtained from the Head of the Eukaryotic Expression Facility, Eva Kowalinski ([email protected], subject: Scientific Expert for Eukaryotic Expression Facility). See also http://www.embl.fr.

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

30/09/2026