Head of Science Education and Public Engagement in Heidelberg bei European Molecular Biology Laboratory

We are Europe’s research laboratory for the life sciences – an intergovernmental organisation performing scientific research in disciplines including molecular biology, physics, chemistry and computer science. We are an international, innovative and interdisciplinary laboratory with more than 1900 employees from many nations, operating across six sites, in Heidelberg (HQ), Barcelona, Hinxton near Cambridge, Hamburg, Grenoble and Rome.

The Science Education and Public Engagement office of EMBL leads and coordinates EMBL’s science education programmes, outreach and public engagement efforts. We are committed to sharing and discussing the science taking place at EMBL with members of the public to contribute to global scientific literacy and ensuring relevance to societal challenges. Our education, engagement and outreach activities promote dialogue between EMBL’s scientific community and citizens and their communities, sharing complex, cutting-edge topics in life science research in an exciting and insightful way.

SEPE has a fully established and successful science education programme with a wide network of international partners. EMBL has also recently launched several flagship outreach and public engagement projects such as the Traversing European Coastlines (TREC) outreach programme and the World of Molecular Biology (WMB) visitor programme. As Head of SEPE, you will use your strategic vision, creativity and expertise to expand the portfolio in the area of outreach and public engagement. You will develop and implement a long-term strategy for impactful public engagement at EMBL and contribute to fostering a culture of public engagement within the organisation delivering benefit to EMBL’s member states.

SEPE is embedded in EMBL’s International Centre for Advanced Training (EICAT). Reporting directly to the Head of EICAT, the Head of SEPE leads EMBL’s science education portfolio and public engagement activities. The role is highly collaborative, working cross-functionally with various teams at EMBL’s six sites and building strong relationships both within and outside EMBL. SEPE is based at the EMBL headquarters in Heidelberg, but the role will require international travel, mainly in Europe.

• Strategic development and oversight of the science education and public engagement activities across EMBL sites and EMBL Member States
• Develop an EMBL-wide outreach and public engagement strategy in close collaboration with EMBL leadership
• Advise EMBL leadership on the integration of engagement objectives into EMBL strategic initiatives
• Lead the future development of EMBL’s interactive, permanent exhibition “The World of Molecular Biology” and its visitor programme
• Develop and support outreach activities associated with EMBL research/services that take place in EMBL’s member states (e.g., the Traversing European Coastlines expedition or the Advance Mobile Laboratories)
• Coordinate relationships between SEPE, the EMBL Training, Engagement and Communication activities and EMBL’s scientific community
• Develop and maintain external partnerships with organisations within the science and technology sector and with public community organisations, including funding bodies, charities and their beneficiaries
• Promote and represent EMBL’s science education and public engagement activities to internal and external stakeholders
• Conduct regular impact assessment to optimise and report on EMBL’s science education and public engagement activities
• Lead and develop a team of public engagement and outreach professionals
• Manage the SEPE budget
• Lead applications for public grants and private donations to secure external funding for SEPE activities

Contract duration: 5 years

Grading: Grade 7 or 8 depending on experience and qualifications (monthly salary starting at €5,117 or €5,882 after tax but excl. pension & insurances) + benefits

Reference number: HD02646

• A qualification relevant to science outreach and public engagement
• Relevant professional experience in the science education, science communication and public engagement sector
• A good understanding of the formal and informal science education and engagement landscape in Europe and relevant trends in outreach and public engagement
• Experience in managing projects and programmes in the context of research, education and training, strategic planning and programme evaluation
• Proven Leadership experience and strong people management skills
• A strong track-record in applying for publi