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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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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Computational Proteomics Scientist

Technology in EMBL-EBI Hinxton

Are you a motivated computational scientist passionate about developing algorithms for cutting-edge proteomics? We are looking for an enthusiastic Computational Proteomics Scientist to join the Proteomics and Metabolomics Team at the European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI). The successful candi...

Closes on 18th February. Posted 5th February 2026

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Postdoctoral Fellow in Structural Biology of RNA Metabolism

Science, research and training in Grenoble, France

About usThe Kowalinski group aims to understand how gene expression is regulated through diverse RNA processing pathways. We investigate emerging concepts in eukaryotic RNA processing, including mechanisms of RNA maturation, editing, and chemical modification in a protist model organism. Our researc...

Closes on 2nd March. Posted 2nd 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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