EMBL's headquarters and main laboratory site supports research, services, advanced training, and technology development
It is home to: the Director General’s Office and Council Secretariat; five research units; scientific services and core facilities; the EMBL International Centre for Advanced Training (EICAT), and; central administration and support functions.
Professor Jan Korbel is the Interim Head of EMBL Heidelberg. He is supported by the EMBL Heidelberg Director’s Office.
Scientists in this unit use multidisciplinary approaches to investigate the molecular and biophysical mechanisms that enable cells to function.
Research in the Developmental Biology Unit is focused on understanding the origin, development, and evolution of organisms and their communities.
The Directors' research unit covers thematically distinct research groups, headed by EMBL and EMBO leadership.
The Genome biology unit uses and develops cutting-edge methods to study how the information in our genome is regulated, processed, and utilised, and how its alteration leads to disease.
The Molecular Systems Biology Unit investigates molecular structure, organization and function at a systematic level in and across cells.
Research at EMBL is supported by the development of enabling technologies that are made available to the scientific community in its Core facilities, 10 of which are located at EMBL Heidelberg. Core facilities provide practical tools and expert advice for life scientists.
Visit a vibrant, interactive permanent exhibition celebrating molecular biology with a focus on the work, people, and technologies of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory
Find out moreAnalysing data to unravel biological complexity
Understanding how cells work and how they are organised
Developing new drugs and tools to understand the chemistry of life
How single cells give rise to complex organisms
Understanding the causes of disease to find new treatments
How cells interpret the DNA code to carry out biological functions
Cutting edge technology, zooming into life at the tiniest scales
Mathematical analysis is crucial to the data-rich science of biology
Enabling technology for a host of experimental methods
Understanding life in the context of its environment
27 Mar 2026
Speaker(s): Gregor Weiss, University of Zürich, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Switzerland
Host: Florian Wollweber
Seminar
EMBL Grenoble, Virtual
Edit27 Mar 2026
Speaker(s): Marvin Albert, Staff of D-BSSE Single Cell Facility at ETH Zürich, Switzerland | João Sequeira, Head of the Scientific Computing Core Facility at HCEEM, Hungary | Andy Riddell, Head of Flow Cytometry Science and Technology Platform at The Francis Crick Institute, UK
Host: EMBL Fellows' Skills and Career Development
Seminar
Virtual
Edit14 Apr 2026
Speaker(s): Angela Relógio, CEO & Co-Founder of TimeTeller GmbH, and Professor of Systems Medicine, Medical School Hamburg (MSH), Germany
Host: Laurène Martins and Juergen Bauer, EMBLEM and Aleksandra Bebel, EMBL Fellows' Career Service
Seminar
EMBL Heidelberg, Virtual
EditJob Description EMBL is looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic Graphic Design trainee to join our Creative Team. You will be based at the EMBL headquarters in Heidelberg, working closely with our Graphic Designer and Illustrator to create materials for both digital and offline channels. Pr...
Closes on 22nd April. Posted 24th March 2026
EditEMBL is looking for a highly motivated Grants Officer to join our vibrant and diverse team in Heidelberg, Germany.The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) was set up to promote molecular biology across Europe, and to create a centre of excellence for training Europe's leading young molecular...
Closes on 21st April. Posted 24th March 2026
EditThe European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) is seeking an experienced and strategic Grants Office Lead to lead the Grants Office at its headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany. In this role, you will support EMBL’s world-leading scientific community in securing and managing major international rese...
Closes on 5th May. Posted 24th March 2026
EditWe are looking for a highly motivated person with experience in molecular biology, C. elegans genetics, and imaging to join the Köhler research group at EMBL Heidelberg. The Köhler group combines genetics and quantitative imaging to study how chromatin is organised during meiosis to allow for the pr...
Closes on 7th April. Posted 24th March 2026
EditEMBL Hotel ISG and Guest Houses provide accommodation for scientists and visitors to EMBL Heidelberg.
EMBL Heidelberg is a 10-15 minute drive from Heidelberg's city centre and main station. During conferences EMBL arranges frequent bus transfers between EMBL and various stops around Heidelberg.
General Enquiries
Get in touch
Phone: +49 6221 387-0
Press
Email: media@embl.org
EMBL Heidelberg
Meyerhofstraße 1
69117 Heidelberg
Germany
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.
