At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape global biodata infrastructure and lead impactful projects with international partners.
- Company: Join the Global Biodata Coalition at EMBL-EBI, a leader in life sciences research.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and comprehensive health insurance.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for professional growth and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on life sciences while collaborating with diverse global teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in life sciences, project management skills, and a passion for science policy.
The predicted salary is between 41425 - 46350 £ per year.
Help shape the future of global biodata infrastructure. Join the Global Biodata Coalition (GBC) Secretariat at EMBL-EBI as a Global Biodata Infrastructure Project Officer, where you’ll bring together international partners, lead impactful projects and help strengthen the sustainability of the biodata infrastructure underpinning life sciences research worldwide.
You’ll play a central role in growing and connecting GBC’s community of 52 Global Core Biodata Resources (GCBRs), coordinating the GCBR Forum and working closely with resource leaders, funders, scientific experts and policymakers. You’ll have the opportunity to shape new initiatives, build influential partnerships and contribute to projects tackling some of the key challenges facing global biodata infrastructure.
GBC is embarking on an exciting new phase, supported by a five-year European Commission grant (2026–2030) and contributions from its member funders. This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing international initiative and make a tangible contribution to the future of life sciences research.
What you’ll do
- Deliver future GCBR selection rounds, managing applications, coordinating international reviewers and overseeing the online application process.
- Coordinate the GCBR Forum, working with its Chairs to shape agendas, prepare papers and capture key decisions and actions.
- Bring people together around shared challenges, coordinating working groups to deliver focused, time-limited projects, including defining key elements of sustainability.
- Connect the global biodata community, organising workshops and webinars that bring funders, biodata resources and other stakeholders together to explore funding and sustainability challenges.
- Turn ideas into action, working with GCBRs to develop and evaluate pilot projects that test new approaches to sustainability.
- Help map and strengthen the global biodata ecosystem, building engagement with biodata resources around the world and bringing their perspectives into GBC’s work.
- Influence decision-making, producing clear reports, briefings and papers for the GBC Board, senior leaders and advisory groups.
- Play an active role in GBC governance and external engagement, contributing to Board, advisory group and stakeholder meetings.
- Help tell the GBC story, contributing to communications across the website, reports, papers and other outputs.
- Support the delivery of an ambitious global programme, taking on additional projects and activities that help advance the GBC’s strategic priorities.
The Global Biodata Infrastructure Project Officer reports to the GBC Programme Manager and will work closely with the GBC’s Scientific Head and other Secretariat colleagues, delivering key projects, and taking forward other pieces of work to ensure the successful delivery of GBC’s programme.
You will have
- Experience in academia or the life sciences in a research, funding or policy role.
- Experience working with organisations across geographies and demonstrated sensitivity to cultural differences.
- A formal project management qualification.
- Strong team working skills, including demonstrable experience of managing and contributing to successful project teams.
- A proactive, open and professional attitude, with the ability to build relationships with people at all levels.
- Very strong English verbal, written and presentation skills.
- An established track record in project management, with a minimum of 3-years’ experience of managing and delivering a diverse range of projects in a professional setting.
- Highly self-motivated with the ability to plan, prioritise and deliver work independently.
- A passion for science and technology policy and open data.
- Strong organisational, time management and priority-setting skills.
- The ability to work independently and as a member of a hybrid, geographically-distributed team.
- Able to communicate with impact and listen actively, respecting the views of others so they feel valued and heard.
You may also have
- A higher degree in the life or biomedical sciences.
Contract length: Project-based, 3-year fixed-term Staff Member contract.
Salary: Grade 5 or Grade 6, depending on qualifications and depth of experience. Monthly salary from £3,452.05 for Grade 5 or £3,861.91 for Grade 6, after tax but excluding personal pension and insurance contributions; plus, generous benefits.
Next steps: Please submit an up-to-date CV and supporting cover letter outlining your transferable skills and experience and motivation for applying. Interviews are scheduled to take place on Friday, 21st August. We will review applications on a rolling basis and as such, encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.
Why join us
Do something meaningful. 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.
Join a culture of innovation. 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. Please take a look at our International Applicants page for further information. 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: 11/08/2026
GBC Global Biodata Infrastructure Project Officer employer: European Molecular Biology Laboratory
ELIXIR is an exceptional employer that champions collaboration and innovation in the life sciences sector. With a strong commitment to employee growth, it offers flexible working arrangements, comprehensive benefits, and a supportive work culture that values trust and partnership. Located at the heart of Europe's research landscape, ELIXIR provides unique opportunities to engage with leading organisations and make a significant impact on the future of bioinformatics.
Contact Details:
European Molecular Biology Laboratory Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land GBC Global Biodata Infrastructure Project Officer
✨Get Involved in Research Communities
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We think you need these skills to ace GBC Global Biodata Infrastructure Project Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Research Experience:When applying for a full-time role in scientific research, make sure to emphasise your research experience prominently in your CV. Share specific projects you’ve worked on, the methodologies you used, and any significant findings. If you’ve published papers or presented at conferences, definitely include that too – it shows you’re on it in the academic world!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Research Area:Your cover letter should reflect your passion for the specific area of research at European Molecular Biology Laboratory. Mention relevant experiences that align with the organisation’s goals or projects. This shows that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the position – plus, it helps us see how you’d fit into the team dynamics.
Showcase Your Data Analysis Skills:In scientific research, data analysis skills are a big deal! Make sure to detail any relevant analytical tools or software you’re familiar with, like R, Python, or statistical packages. Employers are keen to know you can handle the data-heavy elements of the role, so add specific examples where you’ve used these skills effectively.
Discuss Your Future Research Goals:In your motivation section, it’s a great idea to talk about your future research goals and how they align with the work being done at European Molecular Biology Laboratory. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but rather a chance to contribute meaningfully to the field. We love to see applicants who are forward-thinking and enthusiastic about their research journey!
How to prepare for a job interview at European Molecular Biology Laboratory
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In scientific research, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to design and conduct experiments. Come armed with examples of past projects where you've developed hypotheses, collected data, and analysed results. Be ready to discuss any specific methodologies or tools you’ve used, like PCR techniques or statistical software.
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In full-time roles, collaboration is often at the heart of scientific research. Prepare examples that show how you've successfully worked in teams, dealt with conflicts, or contributed to group projects. We want to know how you can work effectively with the team at European Molecular Biology Laboratory to drive research projects forward.
