Head of EMBL-EBI Training

Lead global training in open biodata and AI

Training and inspiring researchers at all career levels is one of EMBL’s five missions. The EMBL International Centre for Advanced Training (EICAT) coordinates scientific training across EMBL’s six sites, and provides a large portfolio of training and public engagement activities for internal audiences, the global scientific community as well as the general public. As an important part of EICAT’s remit, the EMBL-EBI training team ensures that millions of researchers can use the EMBL-EBI data resources, some of the world’s most critical open data resources in molecular biology, effectively, equitably, and at scale. We are recruiting a Head of EMBL-‑EBI Training to lead this work and shape its future direction.

Your role

You will report to the Head of EICAT and have a secondary reporting line to the Head of Knowledge Management Section at EMBL-EBI. You will lead the EMBL-EBI Training team from Hinxton, and contribute as a member of the EICAT leadership team.

You will drive the strategy, innovation, and delivery of one of the world’s most influential bioinformatics training programmes and ensure that it responds to developments in the areas of data science and AI. This is a unique opportunity to lead at the intersection of open science, AI, and global capacity building, at a time when the use of open data for training AI models is transforming research.

Why this role is exciting

You will lead a programme already operating at extraordinary scale. In 2025, this included:
Over 488,000 unique users accessing on‑demand resources
Over 6,200 live webinar attendees, with over 85,000 on‑demand views
- 524 live-course participants from 105 countries

You will shape EMBL‑EBI’s contribution to EICAT and its wider training mission, collaborating with other EICAT teams, the Data Science Centre, EMBL AI, and colleagues across all six EMBL sites.
You will influence global training ecosystems through partnerships with ELIXIR, EOSC, UNESCO, and other international organisations.
You will lead a talented team delivering high‑impact, open, FAIR, inclusive training that supports the global life‑science community.

What you will lead

Strategic direction: Developing and delivering the long‑term strategy for EMBL‑EBI’s training portfolio, aligned with EMBL‑wide training goals.
Programme innovation: Identifying emerging scientific areas and AI‑driven opportunities, ensuring EMBL‑EBI remains at the forefront of data‑science training.
Team leadership: Inspiring and guiding the EMBL‑EBI Training team, fostering a strong service culture and professional excellence.
Stakeholder engagement: Building deep, collaborative relationships across EMBL‑EBI, EMBL, ELIXIR, and global partners.
Global capacity building: Strengthening EMBL’s role in international training initiatives and promote open, FAIR, inclusive data science worldwide
Operational excellence: Overseeing EMBL‑EBI’s contributions to EMBL’s external training portfolio, including the EMBL Course and Conference Programme.

You have

A PhD (or equivalent) in life sciences, engineering, or a related technical field
At least five years’ experience in advanced scientific or technical training leadership
A strong track record in delivering high‑quality training across academia, industry, government, and the public sector
Experience leading complex, multi‑stakeholder projectsSuccess in securing external funding
Excellent leadership, communication, and relationship‑building skills
A collaborative, collegial style and the ability to inspire the training team’s resilience, integrity, and the ability to lead through change

You may also have

A well-developed network of contacts in scientific and technical training and associated fields, including funding and policy for life science
Experience of evaluation and impact analysis
Working knowledge of learning management systems/training platforms and their application in an organisational setting

Contract length:

5 years, renewable to a maximum of 9 years

Salary:

Grade 9, monthly salary from £5,982.74 after tax, plus generous benefits and financial allowances based on family circumstances. Excluding personal pension and insurance contributions.

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