EMBL Sabbatical Programme call 2026/2027

EMBL is among the world’s highest ranked scientific research organizations aimed to explore the secrets of life. EMBL integrates 27 member states and employs close to 1800 people across its six research sites in Heidelberg, Barcelona, Grenoble, Hamburg, Cambridge (Hinxton) and Rome. It is headquartered in Heidelberg (Germany) and integrates both research groups and state-of-the-art core facilities.

With the successful implementation of EMBL’s research programme – “Molecules to Ecosystems”, an increased emphasis has been placed on facilitating exchange of scientific ideas and transfer of skills between external scientists who are recognized experts in their field of research, and the wider scientific community at EMBL with the objective to significantly augment the ongoing research at EMBL across sites.

The EMBL Sabbatical Visitor Fellowship, offered through the Scientific Visitor Programme (SVP) aims to directly contribute to this objective and targets applications from eligible external independent scientists (see criteria below) wishing to spend between a period of between three and six months on sabbatical based at any one of EMBL’s six sites. This should happen in collaboration with at least one EMBL team/group leader who will act as a primary host.

The fellowship aims to invite applications that clearly demonstrates a mutual benefit to both a sabbatical visitor and EMBL – with a focus on a high level description of the visitors’ scientific strengths and topic area(s) they seek to impart knowledge on, the EMBL groups they seek to network with and expertise/knowledge/methods that they might wish to learn while on your sabbatical stay at EMBL. While particular project(s) may be mentioned in brief as illustrative examples, this is not meant to be the central goal of their sabbatical stay as we seek to leave room for organic and serendipitous interactions which can prove mutually inspiring and forge strong connections for the present and the future with the visitors research group and their home institution.

These competitive fellowships are a standalone scheme for encouraging sabbatical visits across EMBL, and do not preclude the possibility of similar visits being independently organized by EMBL group/team leaders. For further details on the fellowships, guidelines, important dates and application procedure, please visit the dedicated website for the sabbatical visitor fellowships.

Your role

• undertake a period of reflection of your science, goals and achieve a productive high-level dialogue on scientific topics of mutual interest with your EMBL host(s) as well as the wider EMBL community
• commitment to spend a significant portion of your sabbatical time on-site at the hosting EMBL campus
• fully utilize the opportunity for cross-fertilisation of knowledge and technologies/methodologies
• explore the potential to kick-start or enhance individual or institutional collaborations involving EMBL
• (in case of senior applicants) possess a readiness to share your experience and inspire EMBL fellows, staff and faculty through organic networking initiatives while at EMBL

You have

• a position as a principal investigator/independent scientist/technical expert at a research institution anywhere in the world valid before and after the sabbatical visit.
• receive a salary and approval from your home institute during the sabbatical.
• a minimum obligation to present two seminars/talks - during commencement and completion of their sabbatical visit open to all EMBL fellows/staff.
• commitment to complete a feedback survey and a short progress report for the Scientific Visitor Programme in order to support the continued development of the programme

You may also have

• highly international work environment at a world leading research organisation with a scientific programme overlapping between molecular and system level experimental approaches from cells to ecosystems.
• access to EMBL’s scientific and social activities such as Unit/group seminars, retreats, staff association clubs etc.
• subsidised or no cost access to local scientific events/conferences
• logistics support for relocation from the SVP Office and the respective Unit/Site administrators.

Contract length

minimum 3 months

Detailed information regarding application procedures can be obtained from the dedicated Sabbatical Visitor Fellowship webpage.

Please be aware that applications must be submitted by the hosting GTL.

Why join us

Do something meaningfulBy choosing a Trainee/Internship at EMBL/EMBO, you can apply your talent and passion to accelerate science and tackle some of humankind's greatest challenges. Please watch the video below to learn more about EMBL and how our work makes a difference. Whatever your role, you will be contributing towards these challenges.

Campus life & benefits

• Flexible working arrangements - including hybrid working patterns
• Free shuttle bus to and from work (Hinxton & Heidelberg)
• On-site library
• Subsidised on-site cafeteria(s)
• Casual dress code
• Extensive sports and social club activities (on campus and remotely)
• Family benefits: On-site nursery on campus
• Accident at work insurance

What else you need to know

• Diversity and inclusion: At EMBL/EMBO, we believe that diverse teams drive innovation and scientific excellence. We encourage applications from candidates of all genders, identities, nationalities and/or any other diverse backgrounds.

Closing Date

09/10/2026

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