Recruitment at EMBL: Process and FAQs

Everything you need to know, each step of the way.

While the recruitment process may differ slightly from role to role, the fundamental steps in our process remain the same whether you’re applying for a role as a Postdoc, Research Group Leader, Laboratory Manager or Kindergarten Assistant.

people discussing in front of a laptop

Our recruitment process

Step 1: Application

We are very pleased you are considering joining our team. Our application process follows these steps:

  1. Find the role you want to apply for on our Jobs page.
  2. Upload your CV and cover letter.
  3. A qualified panel will assess your application.
  4. We will contact you with the outcome within 2–4 weeks after the vacancy has closed.

Step 2: Interview

We are committed to offering opportunities to people from all over the world. Therefore in most cases, your first interview will be held virtually.

We’ll make every effort to ensure you have the same experience as you would in person, so you’ll commonly have a panel interview, chaired by your potential Group Leader, followed by an informal ‘meet the team’ session. These sessions are aimed to provide a personal insight into what it’s like to work at EMBL. So grab a cup of coffee and ask us whatever you like. For most positions, a HR interview with a Talent Acquisition Partner will be the last stage of the selection process. During a HR interview, we will be keen to understand your motivations and to assess behavioural competencies relevant to the role. In addition, we will take some time to explain our benefits package and employment conditions and it’s a great chance for you to ask any questions you have too. 

Don’t worry, if you have never been to one of our campuses before, we will organise a site visit before you sign an offer.

Step 3: Offer and onboarding

As a final step, your Talent Acquisition Partner will contact you with a written formal offer. If you accept, a contract will be issued and we will commence your onboarding process.

Whether you’re joining us from the local area, another part of Europe or further afield, we will make sure you have everything you need for day one.

Please see the FAQ below for further information.

Recruitment and onboarding FAQ

Will I be required to travel for interviews on-site?

No. In most cases we will not require you to travel to meet with us in person. To keep the process fair and inclusive, our preference is to host all first interviews virtually.

I have been invited for a virtual interview, how do I prepare?

Our top tips are:

  • Check your space is ready; make sure you have somewhere quiet to speak and check your microphone, Wi-Fi and camera are ready to go 
  • Look back at your past experiences to remind yourself of your achievements. Some of the questions we ask may be behavioural, i.e.: “tell us about a time where….”  so it can be helpful to refresh your memory.
  • Don’t be afraid to take a pause and gather your thoughts before you answer a question
  • Come ready with questions for us. You are here to interview us too.
If I have a virtual interview, will I get the chance to visit the Campus before I sign an offer?

Yes. Nothing beats meeting people in person and seeing what the working environment is like first hand. As part of the recruitment process we can organise a site visit before you sign your contract.

Can I work from home?

Yes. Although we value the sense of togetherness that working on Campus brings, we also recognise that our teams are just as productive working from home. We offer hybrid working options including the opportunity to split your time between your home and the Campus.

Talk to your Talent Acquisition Partner or potential Group Leader to see what works for you and the team.

Do I need to relocate?

Yes, we highly value in person collaboration and are currently unable to offer 100% remote contracts.

This being said, we make every effort to accommodate individual circumstances and all employees are eligible to request a flexible/hybrid working pattern. This may include part time hours, staggered start / finish times and a percentage of their time working from home.

We would be also happy to support you with the overall relocation process.

Can I start remotely and then relocate?

If you are coming from abroad, 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. During the pandemic we became experts at onboarding new starters remotely and will make sure you are set up with the resources, hardware and digital capability to work from home – wherever this may be.

I have some questions, can I speak with someone in HR?

Of course. After you have signed your contract, you will be assigned a dedicated People Advisor who can help you with visa applications, removal queries and travel arrangements. They are here to help, so don’t be afraid to ask.

What does the onboarding process involve?

After accepting your new role, you will be sent a number of onboarding documents to complete. These are digital and can be completed on a mobile or desktop computer.

At the same time you will be contacted by your dedicated People Advisor who will help you get set up in our system, liaise with your new Group Leader and meet with you for a new starter induction during your first week.  

Our IT team will ensure you are set up with the hardware, digital capability and resources required for day one and introduce you to our IT support team.

Questions?

If you have any further questions, please email the EMBL Talent Acquisition Team at recruitment@embl.org

See also

HR Excellence in Research

A European Commission ‘badge of excellence’ for recruitment practices is emblematic of the priority EMBL places on staffing at every level.

Group Leader recruitment

A collegial, family-friendly environment with top technology nearby offers an ideal setting to amass the right ingredients for world-class research.

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