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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Lab Manager

Technology in Rome, Italy

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) is one of the world’s leading life science research organizations. With sites across Europe, EMBL fosters an international, collaborative, and inclusive environment where diverse teams advance scientific discovery. EMBL Rome focuses on uncovering fund...

Closes on 27th August. Posted 29th July 2026

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BioImaging Bioinformatician

Technology in EMBL-EBI Hinxton

The revolution in imaging technologies has led to the need to share, integrate and reuse image data in a comprehensive way. EMBL-EBI’s imaging databases, EMPIAR and the BioImage Archive provide the means to store and search life science datasets from all imaging technologies at all scales and across...

Closes on 3rd September. Posted 29th July 2026

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Research Scientist – Spatial Omics Technology Development

Science, research and training in EMBL Heidelberg

EMBL is Europe’s leading laboratory for the life sciences and a pioneer in the development of transformative technologies that enable new biological discoveries .The Genomic Technology Development (GenTechDev) Open Lab develops and disseminates next-generation spatial omics technologies combining mo...

Closes on 19th August. Posted 28th July 2026

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Mechatronics Engineer

Technology in Grenoble, France

These are exciting times at EMBL Grenoble. To support our growing activities, we are looking to strengthen our Instrumentation Team with an enthusiastic and skilled Mechatronics Engineer. The Instrumentation Team(https://www.embl.org/groups/papp/ ) develops high-precision instruments for Macromolecu...

Closes on 31st August. Posted 27th July 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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