Structural Biology Scientist – Sample Preparation

We are looking for a motivated structural biologist to join our interdisciplinary team at EMBL Hamburg, operating the world-renowned BioSAXS beamline P12. The successful candidate will bring biological insight and sample expertise to support a wide range of academic and industrial users and contribute to our ongoing method development efforts in solution SAXS and integrative structural biology.

Your role:

• Provide expert support to users during SAXS experiments, from sample preparation to experiment design and data interpretation.
• Contribute to method development, particularly integrating biophysical characterization with SAXS.
• Support collaborative research projects within the team and with facility users.
• Learn to operate the beamline at a functional level to assist with troubleshooting and ensure experiment continuity.
• Take an active role in the curation and operation of the SASBDB database ).
• Participate in scientific training activities, including workshops and schools.
• Collaborate with instrument and computing specialists to enhance user workflows and scientific output.

You have:

• PhD in structural biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, or a related field.
• Proficiency in sample preparation for SAXS, particularly of proteins and biomolecular complexes.
• Solid knowledge of modern structural biology, including integrative modeling and structural data interpretation.
• Hands-on experience with solution SAXS.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Proficiency in English (working language at EMBL).

You might also have:

• Experience with the ATSAS software suite.
• Familiarity with complementary techniques (e.g. cryo-EM, crystallography, DLS, MALS).

What we offer

• A dynamic role at one of the world's leading BioSAXS facilities, supporting a scientifically diverse user community.

• Opportunities to contribute to high-impact research.

• Participation in cutting-edge methods development and collaborative projects.

• A supportive, international team environment

• Involvement in shaping best practices and standards through contributions to community databases like SASBDB.

Contract length: 3 years, renewable up to 9 years

Salary: Grade 6; depending on experience and qualifications (monthly salary starting from €4,580 after tax, excl. pension & insurances) + benefits

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 (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), 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. 

• 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