Group Leader: Integrative Structural Biology Across Scales and Modalities

The opportunity

The EMBL Grenoble is recruiting highly motivated scientists in integrative structural biology, to address fundamental questions in molecular life sciences through innovative cross-disciplinary approaches. This is an exciting time to join a Unit at the forefront of structural biology, embedded in the internationally renowned inter-institutional Partnership for Structural Biology (EMBL, ESRF, ILL, IBS, http://www.psb-grenoble.fr), which offers access to cutting-edge instrumentation for integrative structural biology.

We are particularly interested in candidates who will enhance and extend current strengths in RNA, infection biology or microbial ecosystems through the application of emerging technologies and bold, original thinking. Of special interest are projects that integrate emerging nano X-ray imaging technologies with complementary integrative structural biology approaches for molecular mechanistic studies.

Research environment

The EMBL Grenoble Unit pursues an ambitious and cross-disciplinary research programme in molecular structural biology, addressing key questions in RNA and infection biology, eukaryogenesis, and the muscle cytoskeleton. The Unit's research efforts focus on elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying these systems through integrative structural approaches that combine structural biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, and cellular biophysics.

The Unit is a driving force in the development of innovative instrumentation and methodologies for synchrotron X-ray techniques and cryo-electron microscopy/tomography (cryo-EM/ET), and plays a leading role in integrating structural methods with novel imaging modalities that span multiple spatiotemporal scales. For further information about the EMBL Grenoble Unit and its research, please visit the EMBL website.

The successful candidate will have access to an exceptional research infrastructure and expertise, including recently upgraded ESRF–EBS X-ray beamlines for macromolecular crystallography (MX) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), state-of-the-art cryo-EM/ET facilities (Glacios, Krios, FIB-SEM locally and at EMBL Heidelberg), high-field NMR spectrometers (600–950 MHz), neutron scattering beamlines at the ILL, and a comprehensive biophysics platform. In addition, EMBL Grenoble plays a critical role in developing an innovative nano X-ray imaging beamline at the ESRF. This exciting new technology will enable high-resolution imaging of biological specimens at the nanoscale, bridging critical gaps between light and electron microscopy and opening new frontiers in multi-scale structural biology.

In-house capabilities span direct access to state-of-the-art platforms and expertise in high-throughput crystallisation of soluble and membrane proteins, bacterial, insect, and mammalian cell protein expression, anaerobic culturing, advanced gene editing, cell sorting, and confocal microscopy, supporting both structural and functional investigations from molecules to cells.

Your role 

As a Group Leader, you will develop an ambitious and innovative research program that leverages and expands the Unit's research portfolio and EMBL’s integrative framework. We welcome bold, high-risk, and unconventional proposals that embrace cutting-edge and emerging technologies to explore key biological questions.

The successful candidate will actively engage with EMBL’s dynamic research community, benefiting from strong collaborations within the EPN Science Campus and throughout the EMBL network.

You have 

You have a proven ability and strong ambition to investigate fundamental biological questions, whether through groundbreaking discoveries or methodological innovation. Your research should complement and enhance the scientific activities of the EMBL Grenoble Unit and align with EMBL’s broader mission. We are looking for highly motivated candidates who thrive in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment and are committed to building a supportive and inclusive research team, providing strong scientific leadership, a constructive approach to Unit management, and a proactive, solution-oriented mindset.

We encourage applications from both early-career and established scientists.

Scientific context and strategic fit

In line with EMBL’s scientific programme from Molecules to Ecosystems, we particularly welcome research proposals that align with Infection Biology and Microbial Ecosystems. Research integrating chemical biology, synthetic biology, proteomics, nano X-ray imaging, or AI-based methods is especially encouraged, tying into and capitalising on the AI portfolio in EMBL, which spans across disciplines, including structural biology. Of particular interest are projects that integrate emerging nano X-ray imaging technologies with complementary approaches for molecular mechanistic studies. These projects both contribute to and benefit from the virtuous cycle of development, application, and optimisation of this powerful new modality which Unit is engaging in.

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Information on Group Leader appointments can be found here: https://www.embl.org/careers/group-leader-recruitment/

Further information about the position can be obtained from the Head of EMBL Grenoble, Kristina Djinovic Carugo: kristina.djinovic@embl.org

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

Salary: Grade 9, monthly salary from EUR 6.830 per month after tax, excl. pension and health insurance contributions.

Before applying, please read full application instructions here. 

In addition, you will be asked to provide your potential interest in a maximum of two transversal themes. The recruitment panel is composed of a balanced mix of internal and external members. The shortlisted candidates will be invited to on-site interviews at least three weeks before the interview date.

Interviews are planned for October/ November 2025.

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 public holidays

• Relocation package including installation grant (if applicable)

• Campus life: Free shuttle bus (select sites), on-site library, subsidised on-site gym and cafeteria, casual dress code, extensive sports and social club activities (on campus and remotely)

• Family benefits: Kindergarten (Heidelberg only), 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