Research Manager

About the team

The Petroni lab at EMBL Rome is seeking a Research Manager to join our team focused on advancing AI-driven scientific discovery. Our overarching goal is to research and develop AI agents that act as cognitive members of a scientific laboratory, collaborating with researchers across the full discovery cycle: literature analysis, hypothesis generation, experimental design, equipment orchestration, and data interpretation.
This agenda sits at the intersection of AI and molecular biology, and cuts across traditional funding categories, from AI methods to experimental life science. Sustaining it takes someone who can spot the right opportunities, shape ambitious ideas into competitive proposals, and build lasting relationships with funders and partners. That is where you come in.
The lab is embedded within EMBL’s broader AI strategy, works hand in hand with wet-lab scientists across the institute, and collaborates with leading academic and industrial partners.
 

About the role

As our Research Manager, you will act as the strategic and administrative bridge between the group and funding agencies. Your primary objective will be to transform complex scientific ideas into highly competitive, compliant, and persuasive proposals tailored directly to funder priorities. Beyond funding, you will keep the group running smoothly, from managing awarded projects to supporting operations and outreach.

Your role 

Grant writing and funding strategy (the core of the role):

• Develop and maintain the group’s funding strategy with the Group Leader; monitor the funding landscape (ERC, Horizon Europe, EMBO, HFSP, Wellcome, national schemes, foundations, industry) and identify calls matched to our research.
• Lead proposal development end to end: structure the scientific narrative, draft and edit text, and translate AI and molecular biology concepts into compelling cases for support.
• Coordinate submissions, budgets and deadlines,.

You will also:

• Project management: Manage awarded grants, milestones, deliverables, scientific and financial reporting.
• Lab operations: Support day-to-day group coordination.
• Communication: Maintain the group’s web presence and help organise scientific workshops and events.

You have 

• A track record of writing successful research grant proposals, ideally for EU or international funders.
• Outstanding written English and the ability to turn complex technical ideas into clear, persuasive narratives.
• A good understanding of the European research funding landscape (e.g. Horizon Europe, ERC).
• Strong organisational and project-management skills.
• A collaborative, proactive working style.

You may also have

• A PhD in computer science, the life sciences, or a related field (not a requirement).
• Familiarity with AI/machine learning or computational biology research.
• Experience organising scientific events and workshops.
• Knowledge of Italian.

Contract length: 3 years renewable to 9 years.

Starting date: Flexible, preferably as soon as possible.

Salary: Grade 5 (monthly salary starting at €3.082,55 after tax and before 12,99% EMBL social security deductions) + other paid benefits based on personal circumstances.

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