Research

From genomes to organisms, EMBL is exploring the secrets of life

EMBL’s diverse research programme is pushing the limits of biological knowledge, with our researchers developing innovative techniques and technologies as part of the process.

Research Units

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory is made up of many independent groups of research scientists, who work on a wide range of biological topics. EMBL categorises these groups by area of scientific interest into nine research units. This structure helps EMBL scientists working on similar scientific questions to leverage common tools and experimental apparatus.

EMBL Programme

Pushing boundaries in research, services, training and technology


Learn more about EMBL research

EMBL Faculty

Explore how EMBL research groups collaborate with partners

Publications

Explore EMBL’s full list of scientific publications and preprints which go back as far as 1979

Cross-cutting research topics

From exploring the molecular components inside a cell to studying whole populations and ecosystems, EMBL scientists will explore these different scales through research themes that foster collaborative, multidisciplinary research.

EMBL maintains close cooperative affiliations with organisations of comparable standard, vision and international orientation.

These institutional collaborations are based on shared goals and scientific synergy or complementarity. The aim is to create a network of institutions that enhance molecular life science in Europe and around the world.


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Postdoc - Therapeutic Epigenetic Editing in vivo

Science, research and training in Rome, Italy

Your groupHackettYour supervisorJamie HackettYour role You will lead an in vivo epigenome editing programme focused on the delivery of epigenetic editors in mouse liver to modulate target gene expression. Based at EMBL, and working jointly with biotech partners, you will be responsible for the imple...

Closes on 12th March. Posted 11th February 2026

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Genomics Technology Infrastructure Team Leader

Technology in EMBL-EBI Hinxton

Are you interested in a leading role to shape the infrastructure and systems of one of the world’s most widely used scientific data resources? Ensembl is the leading resource for exploring and analysing genomes, used by researchers globally on a daily basis.  In recent years, Ensembl has seen a subs...

Closes on 26th March. Posted 11th February 2026

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Postdoc / Research Scientist Computational Precision Oncology – Huber group

Science, research and training in EMBL Heidelberg

Your groupThe Huber group develop statistical and machine learning methods for multi-modal single cell and spatial omics data. They collaborate with biomedical researchers on clinical studies to translate basic science into new diagnostic, stratification and treatment options. They contribute to ope...

Closes on 10th March. Posted 9th February 2026

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Postdoctoral Fellow - Haase/Dayton Groups

Science, research and training in Barcelona, Spain

About the team/jobWe are looking for a postdoc to join our groups at EMBL Barcelona. In particular, Haase and Dayton labs, have expertise in 3D vascularized models and human alveolar and airway organoids, respectively. The project aim is to develop patient-specific healthy and disease (chronic obstr...

Closes on 8th March. Posted 6th February 2026

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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.

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