Animal Facility Supervisor

Scientific Services and Support
- EMBL Heidelberg

EMBL is Europe’s life sciences laboratory - an intergovernmental organisation with more than 110 independent research groups and service teams covering the spectrum of molecular biology. It operates across six sites in Heidelberg (headquarters), Barcelona, Cambridge, Grenoble, Hamburg and Rome. Our mission is to perform basic research in molecular biology; train scientists, students and visitors at all levels; offer vital services to scientists in the public and private sectors within the member states; develop new instruments and methods; and engage actively in technology transfer.

EMBL HD Laboratory Animal Resources (LAR) as a central support service provides resources to institutional animal care and use programmes and operates different vivaria with a variety of animal species and models used in EMBL research projects.

Your role

The role combines two levels of responsibility: supervisory duties for a staff team and overseeing of daily operations and workflow within a specific LAR area. Under the direction of the head of LAR, the supervisor will maintain the laboratory animal facilities including daily operations, facility space, equipment, animal husbandry, environmental enrichment, technical support, and ensure that LAR policies and facility SOPs are implemented across the program.

**Duties and responsibilities**:

- Overall supervision of their assigned team of animal technicians including scheduling of work, training new hires, and keeping employee records.
- Oversee staff in their area to ensure completion of daily work tasks to established standards.
- Communication and assignment of tasks to team members and ensure a balanced workload within the team.
- Handle short-term redistribution of team resources (i.e. assignment of team members depending on changing needs in different areas).
- Liaise with the head of LAR for approval of leave requests and vacation planning.
- Monitor progress of team members and adjust as LAR needs and standards evolve.
- Provide training of prescribed policies (SOPs) regarding animal husbandry to users and staff.
- Act as first point of contact for questions from animal technicians.
- Understand and ensure personnel follow EMBL institutional policies.
- Participate in LAR meetings/rounds as needed.
- Promote a team-building, collaborative atmosphere.
- Maintain a supportive work environment and a solve conflicts in a constructive, professional manner.
- Oversee daily facility operations in their assigned area and ensure daily practices and processes comply with applicable regulations.
- Handle all aspects

You have
- Relevant qualification and experience of at least 3 years in an animal facility with a similar role.
- Function A, C and D as per European Directive 2010/63/EU.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Ability to build trust amongst team members.
- Very good organizational skills.
- Excellent problem-solving skills.
- Professional attitude to handling and solving conflicts.
- Competent to lead a diverse team in a challenging environment.
- Computer skills.
- Able to communicate in English in a professional environment.

You might also have
- Advanced German language abilities an advantage.

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.

EMBL offers attractive conditions and benefits appropriate to an international research organisation with a very collegial and family-friendly working environment. Competitive salary and social security benefits, financial support for relocation, a relaxed culture, professional development, an on-site nursery, canteen and other staff facilities make EMBL a great place to work.

What else you need to know

We are Europe’s flagship research laboratory for the life sciences - an intergovernmental organisation performing scientific research in disciplines including molecular biology, physics, chemistry and computer science. We are an international, innovative and interdisciplinary laboratory with more than 1900 employees from many nations, operating across six sites, in Heidelberg (HQ), Barcelona, Hinxton near Cambridge, Hamburg, Grenoble and Rome.

Our mission is to offer vital services in training scientists, students and visitors at all levels; to develop new instruments and methods in the life sciences and actively engage in technology transfer activities, and to integrate European life science research. The working language of the institute is English.

Please note that appointments on fixed term contracts can be renewed up to 9 years in total, depending on circumstances at the time of the review.

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