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.


Edit

Laboratory Animal Technician

Science, research and training in EMBL Heidelberg

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) is one of the highest ranked scientific research organisations in the world. The Headquarters Laboratory is located in Heidelberg (Germany), with additional sites in Grenoble (France), Hamburg (Germany), Hinxton (UK) and Monterotondo (Italy). Responsi...

Closes on 18th November. Posted 20th October 2026

Edit

Bioinformatician – Structural Proteomics & Integrative Modelling

Technology in EMBL-EBI Hinxton

About the team/job We are seeking a Bioinformatician with expertise in structural biology, proteomics and integrative/hybrid structure modelling to join the Velankar team at the European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI).The Protein Data Bank in Europe (PDBe) team develops essential macromolecular...

Closes on 4th November. Posted 13th October 2026

Edit

Laboratory Officer

Technology in EMBL Heidelberg

 The Quail group at EMBL Heidelberg is looking for a highly motivated biochemist or biophysicist to join us as a Laboratory Officer. We combine single-molecule biophysics, in vitro biochemistry, quantitative imaging, and cell biology to study how proteins and enzymes collectively organize the genome...

Closes on 29th October. Posted 8th October 2026

Edit

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.

Edit