EMBL's headquarters and main laboratory site supports research, services, advanced training, and technology development
It is home to: the Director General’s Office and Council Secretariat; five research units; scientific services and core facilities; the EMBL International Centre for Advanced Training (EICAT), and; central administration and support functions.
Professor Jan Korbel is the Interim Head of EMBL Heidelberg. He is supported by the EMBL Heidelberg Director’s Office.
Scientists in this unit use multidisciplinary approaches to investigate the molecular and biophysical mechanisms that enable cells to function.
Research in the Developmental Biology Unit is focused on understanding the origin, development, and evolution of organisms and their communities.
The Directors' research unit covers thematically distinct research groups, headed by EMBL and EMBO leadership.
The Genome biology unit uses and develops cutting-edge methods to study how the information in our genome is regulated, processed, and utilised, and how its alteration leads to disease.
The Molecular Systems Biology Unit investigates molecular structure, organization and function at a systematic level in and across cells.
Research at EMBL is supported by the development of enabling technologies that are made available to the scientific community in its Core facilities, 10 of which are located at EMBL Heidelberg. Core facilities provide practical tools and expert advice for life scientists.
Visit a vibrant, interactive permanent exhibition celebrating molecular biology with a focus on the work, people, and technologies of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory
Find out moreAnalysing data to unravel biological complexity
Understanding how cells work and how they are organised
Developing new drugs and tools to understand the chemistry of life
How single cells give rise to complex organisms
Understanding the causes of disease to find new treatments
How cells interpret the DNA code to carry out biological functions
Cutting edge technology, zooming into life at the tiniest scales
Mathematical analysis is crucial to the data-rich science of biology
Enabling technology for a host of experimental methods
Understanding life in the context of its environment
24 Apr 2026
Speaker(s): Stas Shvartsman, Princeton University, USA
Host: Alexander Aulehla
Seminar
EMBL Heidelberg
Edit30 Apr 2026
Speaker(s): Piv Gopalasingam, EMBL-EBI, United Kingdom
Host: EMBL Fellows' Career Service
Seminar
EMBL Heidelberg
Edit08 May 2026
Speaker(s): Rebecca Heald, University of California Berkeley, USA
Host: Gautam Dey
Seminar
EMBL Heidelberg
EditAbout usEMBO is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to promoting excellence in the life sciences in Europe and beyond. We fund talented researchers at all career stages, facilitate scientific exchanges through high-quality academic publishing, conferences, and lectures, and foster a research env...
Closes on 18th May. Posted 17th April 2026
EditWe're hiring! Looking for a new addition to our 12 person events team in the Course and Conference Office at EMBL Heidelberg. You'll be part of EMBL’s mission to provide outstanding training events for the life sciences, making this the leading meeting place for biologists in Europe. Join the outfit...
Closes on 30th May. Posted 17th April 2026
EditDo you want to be part of EMBL’s newly created AI Hub, using AI to solve complex interdisciplinary challenges? We’re seeking a visionary scientist to establish and lead a new AI Engineering & Automation Team at the AI Hub Heidelberg as part of EMBL AI, a major institutional initiative to embed AI ac...
Closes on 29th May. Posted 17th April 2026
EditThe Advanced Light Microscopy Facility at EMBL Heidelberg (ALMF) offers a collection of state of the art equipment and image processing tools to support in-house scientists and visitors in using light microscopy methods for their research. Incollaboration with other Core Facilities the ALMF also off...
Closes on 12th May. Posted 13th April 2026
EditEMBL Hotel ISG and Guest Houses provide accommodation for scientists and visitors to EMBL Heidelberg.
EMBL Heidelberg is a 10-15 minute drive from Heidelberg's city centre and main station. During conferences EMBL arranges frequent bus transfers between EMBL and various stops around Heidelberg.
General Enquiries
Get in touch
Phone: +49 6221 387-0
Press
Email: media@embl.org
EMBL Heidelberg
Meyerhofstraße 1
69117 Heidelberg
Germany
With support from more than 30 countries, laboratories at six sites across Europe and thousands of scientists and engineers working together, the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) is a powerhouse of biological expertise. EMBL is an intergovernmental organisation, headquartered in Heidelberg, and was founded in 1974 with the mission of promoting molecular biology research in Europe, training young scientists, and developing new technologies.
EMBL currently employs more than 1800 people in Barcelona, Grenoble, Hamburg, Heidelberg, EMBL-EBI Hinxton (near Cambridge), and Rome.
Publishing hundreds of research articles and hosting dozens of conferences every year, EMBL is driving visionary fundamental research and training Europe’s future scientific talent.
