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As we grow our team, we are keen to encourage applications from every part of the world. Check out our latest vacancies.
International Applicants
The advancement of life science is a global mission and we are most successful when we work together. We strongly encourage applications from applicants based all over the world.
Moving to our sites
Your ability to work and live in our host countries
Due to our special status as an International Organisation anyone who joins us and their dependent family members, can apply for a visa or work permit which will enable them to live and work in the host country.
Your legal partner:
Working in our host countries
The visa / work permit EMBL will support you to obtain, will allow your legal partner to work in our host countries as well.
We also encourage partners to explore options within our sites and many couples have both been successful finding employment options with EMBL.
Your children:
Schools and education
Many of our sites are surrounded by a selection of International Schools and/or a wide variety of highly-regarded Government funded or private schools within the local areas.
Visas and work permits
Visas and work permits
Find out about the visas and work permits you can apply for at each of our sites. In general, EMBL will provide every assistance in obtaining the required visas/work permits. It is important that you start the visa process well in advance by contacting EMBL.
Heidelberg & Hamburg, Germany
Due to the special status of EMBL as an intergovernmental organisation you will not need a working visa but, depending on your nationality, you may need an entry visa. Please check with the German Embassy in your place of residence and on the website of the Auswärtiges Amt.
Once in Germany, EMBL will register you with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, from which you will receive a special permit (Sonderausweis) which allows you to work at EMBL, to live in Germany and to travel within the Schengen countries.
Rome, Italy
If you have a non-EU passport, you need to apply for a visa (Visto per Missione) at the Italian Embassy/Consulate in your current place of residence. Once in Italy, non-Italian members of personnel (including their non-working life companion and dependents) receive an ID card from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs instead of having to register with the local Police Authorities, which otherwise would be required under Italian law.
Barcelona, Spain
Due to the special status of EMBL as an intergovernmental organisation you will not need a working visa but, depending on your nationality, you may need an accreditation visa. Please check with the Spanish Embassy in your country of residence.
Once in Spain, EMBL will register you with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, from which you will receive an accreditation card which allows you to work at EMBL, to live in Spain and to travel within the Schengen countries. Family members are also entitled to this card.
Grenoble, France
If you have a non-EU passport, you need to apply for a Visa D at the French Embassy/Consulate in your current place of residence. Without this Visa you will not be permitted to stay in France. Once in France, non-French members of personnel (including their non-working life companion and dependents) receive a document called “Titre de Séjour” delivered by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Hinxton, UK
Due to our special status as an International Organisation anyone who joins us from outside of the UK, and their dependent family members, can apply for an exempt vignette.
The exempt vignette entitles you and your family to live and work in the UK while working for EMBL-EBI.
Ensuring your smooth transition
Help with settling in
You will receive supporting letters from our HR team to help you:
- Apply for a visa or work permit
- Open a local bank account
- Find accommodation
- Provide references
Generous relocation package
If you move from outside 70 km of an EMBL campus, we will reimburse the cost of your removal.
To help you and your family settle in, we will also provide you with an Installation Grant ranging from one to three months’ salary, depending on your family circumstances.
Remote onboarding
If you are located overseas, you may need a little more time to organise your move. To take the pressure off, we are happy to accommodate a remote start on a temporary basis. We will make sure you are set up with the resources, hardware and digital capability to work from home – wherever this may be.
EMBL's international status
EMBL is an intergovernmental organisation with 28 member states and has more than 110 independent research groups and service teams covering the spectrum of molecular biology at six sites in Barcelona, Grenoble, Hamburg, Heidelberg, EMBL-EBI Hinxton, and Rome.
See also
Employee benefits
We value your skills and offer a generous benefits package to support you and your family.
Science4Refugees
EMBL welcomes applications from talented refugees and asylum seekers who have a scientific background and who would like to apply for our advertised positions, including internships, part-time and full-time jobs.