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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Research Technician

Technology in Grenoble, France

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) and further Units are situated Grenoble (France), Hamburg (Germany), Hinxton (UK), Rome (Italy) and Barcelona (...

Closes on 24th May. Posted 23rd April 2026

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Research Scientist

Science, research and training in Barcelona, Spain

Understanding the dynamic three-dimensional spatial patterns of gene expression is essential for elucidating the mechanisms that drive tissue development and disease. To address this challenge, the Sharpe lab developed Cell 3D Positioning by Optical Encoding (C3PO), an innovative methodology that pr...

Closes on 4th May. Posted 22nd April 2026

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Research Technician - Sharpe Group

Science, research and training in Barcelona, Spain

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) is one of the highest ranked scientific research organizations in the world. EMBL Barcelona focuses on research in Tissue Biology and Disease Modeling, and is located within the Barcelona Biomedical Research Park (PRBB), one of the largest infrastruct...

Closes on 21st May. Posted 20th April 2026

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Team Leader – AI Engineering & Automation

Science, research and training in EMBL Heidelberg

Do you want to be part of EMBL’s newly created AI Hub, using AI to solve complex interdisciplinary challenges? We’re 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 ac...

Closes on 29th May. Posted 17th 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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