EMBL’s European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) is seeking an experienced and motivated Research Management Office (RMO) Lead to provide strategic leadership and operational excellence across our scientific services.

This is a high-impact role at the interface of science, finance, and people leadership. You will lead a dedicated Research Management Office team of six, supporting three EMBL-EBI Services Sections:

- Molecular, Cellular and Structural Biology (MCSB)

- Genome Analysis and Annotation (GAA)
- Knowledge Management (KM)

Your role 

As RMO Lead, you will be responsible for delivering a high-quality, consistent research management service that enables EMBL-EBI scientists and service leaders to focus on world-class research. Reporting to the Section Heads, you will lead people, shape strategy, and drive continuous improvement across research management activities.

Working with colleagues in the Grants, Budgets, and Service Teams to you'll be responsible for:

• Leading, coordinating, and delivering the full portfolio of RMO activities

• Developing, maintaining, and delivering a clear roadmap for RMO services

• Ensuring that all services teams benefit from consistent financial forecasting, support for grants preparation and project management as required.

• Representing the RMO in relevant internal fora such as Budget and Grants Offices

• Support improvements to research management and related services

• Manage the training and mentoring of new RMO staff

• Design and deliver continuing professional development for RMO staff 

• Line manage deliver Annual Performance Appraisals for up RMO colleagues (5-6 people)

• Attend relevant meetings of services staff to communicate the role and needs of RMO

• In addition to leading the RMO the person appointed will also provide RMO functions for Services Team Leaders, including financial forecasting, grants preparation and project management as required. Full training will be provided on EMBL-EBI’s systems.

• Some UK and international travel will be required

You have 

• An undergraduate degree in life sciences or other numerical discipline

• Ph.D. or Masters degree relevant to work undertaken at EMBL-EBI or equivalent work experience in a scientific or technical environment 

• Significant previous experience (>3 years) in a management role managing >4 people  

• Significant previous experience in a training or mentoring role 

• Experience handling confidential information including salaries and complex budgets

• Experience in coordinating complex tasks or projects across a team of external partners 

• Exceptional financial numeracy gained in a similar role, including experience of budget preparation and financial forecasting

• Proven ability to engage with internal and external stakeholders 

• Evidence of independent working across scientific and administration teams

• Experience of change management in a scientific setting e.g. adoption of new reporting and financial management tools

• Experience of grant preparation and post award reporting for at least 2 major international funders (e.g. UKRI, Wellcome, EC, NIH)

• Experience of working with SAP, Workday or other financial management tools in an academic or industrial setting

• Experience of grant preparation and post award reporting for at least 2 major international funders (e.g. UKRI, Wellcome, EC, NIH)

• Excellent written and spoken English

• Experience of leading meetings and presenting complex scientific and financial information

• Consistently sets an example for others in terms of behaviour and continuous development
   

You may also have

• Experience of change management in a scientific setting e.g. adoption of new reporting and financial management tools

• Scientific project management gained in an academic or industrial environment
   

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

Salary: Grade 7, monthly salary from £4,206 after tax, plus generous benefits (excluding personal pension and insurance contributions)

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.  Watch this video to see how EMBL-EBI makes an impact.

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 & Inclusion: At EMBL-EBI, 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