Team Leader â AI Engineering & Automation
Team Leader â AI Engineering & Automation
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Job Description
Do you want to be part of EMBLs newly created AI Hub using AI to solve complex interdisciplinary challenges
Were 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 across all areas of life sciences.
This role offers a unique opportunity to build AI infrastructure services and applications that will drive transformative research across EMBL and the global scientific community.
About us
EMBL has already established itself as a global leader in AI-driven innovation in biology research with successes in areas including genomics structural biology (e.g. AlphaFold) biomarker discovery and imaging. EMBL hosts the worlds largest repository of biological data the European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) and has excellent pan-institutional data management data science and open science infrastructures. Our goal is to build a dynamic community of AI specialists working alongside life science researchers together creating innovative AI-based methods to address fundamental questions in biology and drive scientific breakthroughs. Discover more on our web page and explore our current research groups.
Scientific context and strategic fit
EMBLs long-term scientific direction Molecules to Ecosystems aims to advance our understanding of ecosystems at the molecular level applying expertise in molecular biology to study life in its natural context. Research areas include applying experimental computational and theoretical approaches to study how cells and organisms interact with each other and respond to fluctuating environments. EMBL has a track record in establishing landmark data resources in these different areas (EMBL-EBI) leads in managing digital infrastructures and operates a dedicated Data Science Center for handling complex primary biological data types across the institute.
We are interested in hosting scientists who are keen to bring their AI expertise to EMBL collaboratively developing AI-based solutions to scientific questions with the life science community. These research efforts should support the creation of new services to make AI-based methods accessible to scientists across EMBL.
Your expertise might cover areas such as: machine learning foundations generative modeling deep learning large language models representation learning Bayesian or causal inference active or transfer learning. Proposals with a strong technology development focus are encouraged.
Incoming teams will be able to collaborate with scientists across EMBLs scientific units sites and cross-cutting research topics and have access to unique biodata biotechnologies and a wide range of expertise in biological research. A close interaction with EMBLs Data Science center is foreseen.
Your role
As a Team Leader you will:
Lead a team of AI engineers and scientists at EMBL AIs Heidelberg Hub operating AI services.
Develop manage and maintain freely available AI services provided by the team ensuring these tools remain state-of-the-art and responsive to the evolving needs of the EMBL scientific community and beyond. This may include:
Data architecture and infrastructures tailored for AI workflows
AI-driven solutions for laboratory automation
AI-based reasoning systems for biology
Training and consultancy services
Co-develop major AI projects in collaboration with scientists across EMBLs six sites.
Actively engage with other EMBL Group/ Team Leaders to coordinate training mentoring and the growth of AI expertise across the Laboratory.
Manage efficient use of resources to synergize with other EMBL teams and facilities and to identify and promote collaboration and early-stage access with industrial partners and create opportunities for new service provisions in a rapidly changing technology landscape.
You will also have the opportunity to:
Pursue independent research interests to develop methods and technologies in AI-related areas which once established can be transferred to enhance its range of service offerings.
Your profile
You have an excellent research and/or service track record in AI a PhD in a relevant field an interest in its applications to biology. You have a well-defined strategy for operating the service and if conducting your own research for integrating it with the service. Previous experience in biology is not required but a strong interest in interdisciplinary collaboration is essential.
Experience in leading large projects or teams with evidence of organizational and people management skills is an advantage.
Key competencies:
Service Excellence you are committed to service orientation ensuring exceptional user experiences by delivering high-quality timely and reliable services to internal and external users.
Scientific Excellence you have the potential to develop or optimise groundbreaking methods and technologies that will help shape AI research.
Leadership and Service Team Management you bring both strategic vision and operational excellence to the AI service team: overseeing budgets planning resources and ensuring day-to-day reliability. You will build and develop a diverse high-performing team and shape the teams service offerings. While prior leadership experience is advantageous we equally welcome candidates demonstrating strong leadership potential and commitment to grow into this critical role.
Original and Innovative Thinking you embrace a mindset of creative problem-solving with out of the box thinking to generate novel practical solutions.
Collaborative Mindset you are eager to engage with a diverse community of researchers willing to step outside of your comfort zone and open to interdisciplinary exchange.
Mentoring Skills you are dedicated to nurturing and inspiring people in your team supported by an inclusive leadership style.
Why EMBL is anexcellentenvironmentforYouasaTeamLeader
As Europes life sciences laboratory EMBL offers an inspiring internationally recognized platform to launch and grow your research career.
EMBL team leaders benefit from:
World-Class Resources: Access to world-leading core facilities and infrastructures in molecular biology and in IT including on-site HPC and GPU farms and multiple channels to scale-out to European supercomputing resources.
Core Funding: You will have generous funding to lead a mid-size service group and a small research team.
Collaborative Interdisciplinary Environment: Thrive within a network of over 110 independent research groups and service teams across our six sites covering a broad spectrum of topics in life sciences. EMBL fosters and supports creative interdisciplinary and collaborative research.
Creative Freedom: Enjoy the autonomy and resources to choose your direction of research.
Well-connected Scientific Hub: Be part of EMBL Heidelberg embedded in a thriving research environment with partnerships to world-leading institutions and cross-institutional initiatives including the ELLIS Unit Heidelberg the Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit (MMPU) and the Heidelberg-Mannheim Health & Life-Science Alliance.
Networking & Visibility: Engage with hundreds of world-leading scientists coming for each of the over 30 international conferences hosted annually at EMBLs advanced training centre.
Data: EMBL with its European Bioinformatics Institute has a track record in providing the worlds major data resources in biology (EMBL-EBI).
Global Excellence: Join a top-ranked research institute promoting discovery-driven science in a collaborative and inclusive environment.
Online interviews will be conducted in November 2025
Onsite interviews are planned for January 2026
Contract length: 5 years renewable to a maximum of 9 years.
Salary: Grade 9 monthly salary from EUR 6.65904 (after tax and before 12.05% EMBL social security deductions) plus other paid benefits.
Further information on Group Leader appointments can be found here: you would like more information about the position if procedural please contact if on the position please contact Oliver Stegle acting Head of EMBL AI.
How to apply
Before applying please read the application instructions here.
You should submit an exciting research plan with original and ambitious goals for your future team (maximum 4 pages). In your online application you will be asked to include a cover letter your CV the names and contact details of 2 referees and a concise description of research interests & future research plans highlighting your unique vision (up to four pages). Letters of recommendation should be submitted by the referees by or shortly after the application deadline.
Why join us
EMBL is curiosity-driven community-oriented and international. As an inclusive equal opportunity employer we believe that diversity enables us to collaborate more effectively and be innovative in our approaches. We are therefore committed to creating an inclusive and flexible culture - one where everyone can realise their full potential and make a positive contribution to our organisation.
We encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing team we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and personal experiences reflect the diversity of the populations that our science serves. We actively encourage applications from all genders and cultures ethnic groups and all demographics to help us avoid perpetuating biases and oversights at this transformational point in our people strategy.
Enjoy lots of benefits:
Financial incentives:Salary free of income tax monthly family child and non-resident allowances annual salary review death benefit long-term care accident-at-work and unemployment insurances
Flexible working arrangements
Private medical insurancefor you and your immediate family (including all prescriptions and generous dental & optical cover)
Generous time off:30 days annual leave per year in addition public holidays
Relocation packageincluding installation grant (if applicable)
Campus life:Free shuttle bus (select sites) on-site library subsidised on-site gym and cafeteria casual dress code extensive sports and social club activities (on campus and remotely)
Family benefits: Kindergarten (Heidelberg only) 10 days of child sick leave generous paid maternity/parental leave and monthly family & child allowances
Benefits for international newcomers:Visa exemption education grant for private schooling financial support to travel back to your home country every second year and a monthly non-resident allowance.
For detailed information please visit our employee benefits page here
What else you need to know
International applicants: We recruit internationally and successful candidates are offered visa exemptions. Visit our International Applicants page to find out more.
EMBL is a signatory of DORA. Find out how we apply DORA principles to our recruitment and performance assessment processes here.
Diversity and inclusion: At EMBL we strongly believe that inclusive and diverse teams benefit from higher levels of innovation and creative thought. We encourage applications from women LGBTQ & individuals from all nationalities.
Applications will close at 23:59 CET on the date shown below. We aim to provide a response within two weeks after the closing date.
Closing Date
02/11/2025Employment Type
Full-Time
