At a Glance
- Tasks: Partner with scientists to manage research grants and ensure financial success.
- Company: Join EMBL-EBI, a leading scientific organisation making global impacts.
- Benefits: Tax-free salary, flexible working, generous leave, and comprehensive health insurance.
- Other info: Inclusive culture promoting diversity and excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in science and healthcare while developing your finance career.
- Qualifications: Professional accounting qualifications and 5 years of relevant experience required.
The predicted salary is between 44200 - 44200 € per year.
Are you a commercially minded finance professional looking to make a meaningful impact in a world-leading scientific environment? At the European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), part of European Molecular Biology Laboratory, we advance scientific discovery through bioinformatics and enable solutions for global challenges such as infectious diseases, food insecurity and loss of biodiversity. With over 1,900 colleagues across six international sites, EMBL is one of the most influential research organisations in the world.
We are seeking two experienced Finance Business Partners to join our collaborative Budget Office team, based at the Wellcome Genome Campus near Cambridge.
Your role:
- In this role, you won’t just report numbers; you’ll partner directly with world-class scientists, and help to shape the financial success of pioneering research projects.
- You’ll play a critical role in ensuring that our grant funding is managed effectively, enabling breakthroughs that can transform science and healthcare globally.
- As a Finance Business Partner you will report to the EBI Budget Office Manager taking ownership for:
- Leading the financial management of a portfolio of research grants, from post-award through to reporting
- Collaborate closely with our Group Leaders, supporting their strategic objectives
- Monitor and control project expenditure, ensuring alignment with funding requirements
- Prepare accurate and timely financial reports for grant-awarding bodies
- Conduct quality reviews to ensure compliance with funding rules and internal processes
- Proactively identify financial risks and provide clear, actionable insights
- Support payment distribution across research partners and projects
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, enhancing financial processes and service delivery
- Play a key role in financial systems development, including Workday enhancements and user training
- Build strong relationships across scientific and operational teams, influencing decision-making at multiple levels
You have:
- Professional Accounting Qualifications (ACCA, ICAEW, ACA, CIMA or equivalent)
- University degree in Finance
- Minimum 5 years of experience in a well-regarded medium/large organisation
- Experience of financial/budgetary control and management
- Excellent analytical and organisational skills
- Flexible approach to work and ability to plan, organise and prioritise own workload
- Ability to use own initiative to work proactively and independently often working to deadlines set by others
- Excellent general interpersonal skills, including diplomacy and negotiating skills, with the ability to hold difficult conversations with a variety of different colleagues.
You may also have:
- Experience of working in an international organisation
Contract length: 3 years
Salary: Grade 6 monthly salary from £3,695.61 after tax plus generous benefits and financial allowances depending on family circumstances. Excluding 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.
- 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: 26/05/2026
Finance Business Partner x2 employer: European Molecular Biology Laboratory
At EMBL-EBI, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture, where finance professionals can thrive while contributing to groundbreaking scientific research. Located at the Wellcome Genome Campus near Cambridge, our team enjoys generous benefits, flexible working arrangements, and ample opportunities for professional growth, all within a vibrant community dedicated to tackling global challenges. Join us to make a meaningful impact in a world-leading scientific environment, where your expertise will directly influence the success of pioneering research projects.
Contact Detail:
European Molecular Biology Laboratory Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Business Partner x2
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at EMBL-EBI on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by understanding EMBL's mission and recent projects. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their work and how you can contribute to their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your financial insights! Be ready to discuss how you've managed budgets and supported strategic objectives in past roles. Use specific examples that highlight your analytical skills and ability to influence decision-making.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at EMBL-EBI.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Business Partner x2
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make sure to highlight your relevant experience and how it aligns with the role of Finance Business Partner. Show us your passion for finance and how you can contribute to our mission at EMBL.
Tailor Your CV:Don’t just send a generic CV! Tailor it to reflect the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the Finance Business Partner position. Use keywords from the job description to catch our eye and demonstrate that you’re a perfect fit.
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, focus on your achievements rather than just listing duties. Quantify your successes where possible – numbers speak volumes! This will help us see the impact you've made in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into our system correctly and allows us to review it efficiently. Don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at European Molecular Biology Laboratory
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Business Partner, you'll be expected to handle financial data with ease. Brush up on your financial management skills and be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed budgets or grants in the past. This will show your potential employer that you can hit the ground running.
✨Understand the Science
Since you'll be partnering with scientists, it's crucial to have a grasp of the research projects you'll be involved in. Familiarise yourself with EMBL's mission and recent projects. This knowledge will help you engage in meaningful conversations during the interview and demonstrate your genuine interest in their work.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Think about past experiences where you identified financial risks or improved processes. Prepare concise stories that highlight your analytical skills and how you’ve influenced decision-making in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Interpersonal Skills
The role requires excellent interpersonal skills, so be ready to discuss how you've built relationships in previous positions. Share examples of how you've navigated difficult conversations or collaborated with diverse teams. This will illustrate your ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment like EMBL.
