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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Data Engineer

Technology in EMBL-EBI Hinxton

About the TeamThe Velankar team maintains macromolecular structure databases that form essential resources for biologists and other life scientists worldwide. PDBe is a founding partner of the Worldwide Protein Data Bank organisation, which maintains the global archive of 3D structural data on macro...

Closes on 7th May. Posted 15th April 2026

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Bioinformatics Developer

Technology in EMBL-EBI Hinxton

The Ensembl Genebuild team at EMBL-EBI develops high-throughput, high-quality genome annotation pipelines that underpin our mission to provide comprehensive, open-access genomic data resources. Our work spans the eukaryotic tree of life, contributing to global biodiversity initiatives. These ambitio...

Closes on 13th May. Posted 14th April 2026

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Scientific Officer - Advanced Light Microscopy

Technology in EMBL Heidelberg

The 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

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Data Architect / Knowledge Engineer – Euro-BioImaging (AI4Access)

Technology in EMBL Heidelberg

Euro-BioImaging ERIC is a European research infrastructure providing life scientists open access to advanced imaging technologies, expertise, training and data services through almost 300 imaging facilities distributed among 40 Nodes across Europe. The Euro-BioImaging Hub is distributed across three...

Closes on 16th May. Posted 13th April 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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