Group Leader – Molecular mechanisms of environmental adaptation

Are you ready to lead groundbreaking research? Join us at EMBL

We are seeking a motivated scientist to lead an independent research group addressing the molecular mechanisms underlying mammalian phenotypes and response to environmental factors.

About us

EMBL provides a unique environment for young scientists to conduct ground-breaking research and technology development across the life sciences. We recruit early career research leaders, granting them full scientific independence alongside core funding and access to state-of-the-art facilities. EMBL's latest Scientific Programme builds on our unique scientific model to promote the study of biological ecosystems at the molecular level, applying expertise in molecular biology to study life in its natural context. Within this overall structure, the EMBL Epigenetics & Neurobiology Unit applies a wide range of modern technologies to diverse problems in developmental and organismal biology focusing on the laboratory mouse.

Research groups within the unit currently explore topics in epigenetics, gene regulation, sensory processing, and circuits and behavior. The appointed Group Leader will benefit from access to local state-of-the-art facilities for imaging and histology, gene editing and viral engineering, flow cytometry, gnotobiosis, and mouse transgenesis, as well as access to complementary core facilities across EMBL, including advanced sequencing, proteomics, and metabolomics.

Further information about becoming a Group Leader at EMBL can be found here

Your role

You will develop an independent and innovative research programme to address important questions related to the molecular mechanisms underlying organismal phenotype and response to environmental factors. This broad call invites applications from candidates with research plans in diverse fields including, but not limited to: functional genomics and epigenomics, development, biochemistry, evolution, physiology, molecular neuroscience, or behavior. As an independent group leader, you will integrate into, and take full advantage of, the unique research environment and resources available at EMBL to drive your ambitious research and foster the next generation of scientists.

Current research at the Unit is focused on the laboratory mouse as an experimental organism, and we are interested in programmes that exploit mouse biology. However, we welcome research proposals that incorporate other mammalian model organisms, stem cells and/or human organoids. We are particularly interested in proposals that fall under the umbrella of EMBL's Human Ecosystems Transversal Theme. EMBL has a long history of fostering technology development and we welcome applications from persons interested in molecular or computational tool development.

Your profile

You have a doctoral degree and demonstrable ability and ambition to make fundamental biological discoveries and/or methodological advances. You are dedicated to developing positive relationships and providing leadership and guidance to team members. Your research will synergize with the activities at EMBL Rome and leverage and contribute to ongoing research across EMBL. We welcome research programmes using experimental or computational tools, or both.

Onsite interviews are planned for the second week of March 2026

Information on Group Leader appointments can be found here

Contract length: 5 years, renewable to a maximum of 9 years

Salary: Grade 9, monthly salary from EUR 5.460,95 (after tax, and before 12.05% EMBL social security deductions) plus other paid benefits

For further information about the position please contact the Head of Unit, Cornelius Gross, , or

How to apply

Before applying, please read the full application instructions here

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, 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, subsidised on-site cafeteria, casual dress code

• Family benefits: 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 strongly believe that inclusive and diverse teams benefit from higher levels of innovation and creative thought. We encourage applications from women, LGBTQ+ & individuals from all nationalities. 

• 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