EC Charter Project Manager

EMBL is committed to the European Charter for Researchers and to achieving the HR Excellence in Research Award. The Charter sets out the rights and responsibilities of researchers, employers, funders and policy makers, and is underpinned by 20 principles across four thematic pillars: Ethics, Integrity, Gender and Open Science, Researchers' Assessment, Recruitment and Progression, Working Conditions and Practices, Research Careers and Talent Development.

Your role

To support this work, EMBL is seeking an EC Charter Project Manager to lead the initiation and planning of EMBL's European Charter for Researchers activity. This 12-month fixed-term role will establish the systems, structures and governance needed to undertake the self-assessment, develop the organisational action plan, and embed the 20 Charter principles within EMBL's people and research practices. Reporting into the People and Culture function, you will work closely with senior stakeholders across EMBL, acting as the subject-matter lead on EC Charter requirements and ensuring progress towards a high-quality Award submission.

Key responsibilities:

• Programme-manage the EC Charter Award application, including development of the organisational action plan, ensuring alignment with existing EDI action plans and the Gender Equality Plan (GEP).
• Act as the subject-matter expert on EC Charter Award requirements, ensuring shared understanding across the Implementation Group.
• Engage with staff across EMBL to provide expert advice and coordinate the collection of qualitative and quantitative data.
• Develop and maintain a robust project plan, including milestones, timelines, dependencies and reporting.
• Oversee data, policy and practice analysis to identify organisational challenges, risks and opportunities.
• Manage and administer the EC Charter Implementation Group on behalf of the Head of Talent Acquisition.
• Proactively manage risks, escalations and slippage against timelines, providing advice to senior leaders.
• Ensure EC Charter actions are fully integrated with and reinforce EMBL's wider EDI strategy.
• Collaborate closely with the People and Culture Development Team to align EC Charter activity with broader inclusion and career development initiatives.
• Partner with the Communications Team to design and deliver an effective communications plan.
• Advise on sustainable systems, governance and structures to embed Charter commitments long-term.
• Contribute to high-quality internal and external reporting, including HR reports and Council papers.

You have

Essential experience

• Proven experience programme- or project-managing complex, organisation-wide initiatives, ideally within a research, academic or public sector environment.
• Strong working knowledge of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) frameworks, policies and action planning.
• Experience leading or supporting external accreditation, charter marks or awards.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional working groups or governance bodies.
• Strong analytical capability, including overseeing data collection and organisational assessment.
• Experience advising senior leaders and managing risk and escalation.

Skills and abilities

• Excellent programme management and delivery skills, including working to fixed deadlines.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
• Ability to translate complex requirements into clear, practical actions.
• Highly developed written communication skills, including senior-level reporting.
• Strong judgement, problem-solving and risk-management capability.
• Ability to work collaboratively while maintaining ownership and accountability.

Personal attributes

• Credible, confident and calm in complex or high-profile environments.
• Highly organised and detail-focused, with a strong commitment to quality.
• Proactive and self-directed, with the confidence to challenge constructively.
• Values-driven, with a genuine commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Resilient and adaptable, able to manage competing priorities.

You might also have

• Experience working in an international or multi-site organisation.
• Familiarity with European Commission frameworks or similar accreditation processes.
• Experience contributing to governance or council-level reporting.

Contract length: 1 year (Project Limited Contract)

Why join us

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.

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 - including hybrid working patterns.
• 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 public 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 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.
• 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: 17/02/2026