Help Shape the Future of Life Science Research
At the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), we're united by a shared mission: advancing life science research for the benefit of humanity. As Europe's leading laboratory for the life sciences, EMBL brings together more than 1,900 talented people from across the globe, working collaboratively across six sites in Heidelberg, Barcelona, Hinxton near Cambridge, Hamburg, Grenoble and Rome.
Our scientists are making breakthroughs in molecular biology, genetics, bioinformatics, physics, chemistry and computer science. Behind every discovery is a network of talented professionals whose expertise enables world-class research to thrive. This is where you come in.
Due to continued growth, we are seeking an experienced Finance Business Partner (known internally as a Budget Officer) to join the EMBL-EBI Budget Office, based at the European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) on the renowned Wellcome Genome Campus near Cambridge.
EMBL-EBI Budget Office is a subset of EMBL Budget Office located in Heidelberg, Germany. The collective EMBL Budget Office team is responsible for the financial administration of approximately 350 research grants, including assistance in budget preparation, monitoring and controlling expenditure.
The role holder will be responsible for the financial post-award grant activities of a portfolio grants, supporting Principal Investigators (PIs)/Group Team Leaders (GTLs) priorities and strategic objectives of EMBL-EBI.
Why this role is different
This is much more than a traditional finance position. As a Finance Business Partner within EMBL-EBI, you'll play an important role in enabling world-leading scientific research, helping ensure that groundbreaking projects have the financial support and guidance they need to succeed.
You'll work alongside an exceptionally diverse range of stakeholders, from internationally recognised scientists and research leaders to project managers and operational teams. This breadth of interaction provides a unique opportunity to develop strong partnerships across the organisation while gaining insight into the exciting and varied work taking place across EMBL-EBI.
The role offers an engaging mix of detailed financial management and strategic thinking. You'll analyse financial information, identify trends and potential risks, and provide trusted advice that helps colleagues make informed decisions. In doing so, you'll gain a valuable understanding of how funding priorities, research programmes and long-term organisational objectives come together to support scientific excellence.
For those who enjoy problem-solving and continuous learning, the variety is significant. You'll encounter a diverse portfolio of projects, funding arrangements and operational challenges, ensuring there is always something new to learn. You'll also have opportunities to contribute to process improvements and system developments that enhance the way financial support is delivered across the organisation.
Perhaps most rewarding of all is the opportunity to build trusted relationships and become a valued partner to the research community. Your expertise will help ensure that grant funding is managed responsibly and effectively, supporting discoveries that have the potential to improve lives around the world.
Alongside this, you'll benefit from a collaborative and supportive environment where clear guidance, structured processes and strong team support enable you to develop your skills and succeed in your role.
What you'll do
Partner with world-leading scientists and research teams to support pioneering life science research
Build trusted relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders across an internationally recognised organisation
Combine financial analysis, problem-solving and strategic business partnering in a highly varied role
Gain insight into how major research programmes are funded, managed and delivered.
Help colleagues make informed decisions through expert financial guidance and support
Contribute to the responsible stewardship of public and grant funding.
Work within a highly international, collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment
Play an active role in process improvements and financial systems developments
Benefit from strong training, support and clear frameworks for success
Develop broad organisational knowledge and exposure across multiple departments and research areas
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 year, project-based, fixed term Staff Member contract - with potential for extension depending on grant funding.
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.
Additional Information
This is a hybrid role where currently the requirement is to work from site at the Wellcome Genome Campus in Hinxton UK, for 2-3 days per week.
Next Steps
This vacancy is open from Friday, 5th June with a scheduled closing date of Thursday, 2nd July, and we welcome your application as soon as possible.
Please submit and up- to-date CV and supporting cover letter, outlining your motivations for applying and highlighting your transferable skills and experience for this position.
*** We will review applications on a rolling basis and so encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible. In the event that we identify a suitable candidate sooner, we may close the vacancy earlier than the published closing date ***
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
02/07/2026