Director, EMBL Heidelberg (Life Sciences)

Location: Heidelberg, Germany; campus-based role. Interviews are planned in person in Frankfurt on 22 January 2027.

Salary: Grade 13, starting from EUR 13,445.84 net per month, excluding 12.99% personal pension and insurance contributions.

Company

hirify.global is an intergovernmental life sciences research organisation operating six sites across Europe, combining scientific research, technology development, scientific services, advanced infrastructure, training, and innovation.

What you will do

• Translate hirify.global strategy into a coherent strategic agenda for the Heidelberg site and contribute to hirify.global-wide long-term priorities.
• Lead governance, organisational development, structural changes, and transition management across a complex interdisciplinary campus.
• Coordinate scientific activities and reviews across research units, facilities, platforms, and cross-cutting capabilities.
• Manage senior direct reports, including Heads of Research Units and administrative functions.
• Oversee budget planning, resource and space allocation, infrastructure priorities, emergency preparedness, business continuity, compliance, and crisis response.
• Build collaborations with hirify.global sites, academic, clinical, industry, governmental, political, and international scientific partners; represent Heidelberg in governance bodies and external forums.

Requirements

• Internationally recognised scientist with an exceptional research track record.
• PhD in the life sciences or a related field.
• Fluent German and English; both languages are essential.
• Leadership credibility in a large-scale research environment, with experience leading complex programmes, organisations, or senior teams in an international setting.
• Scientific and strategic judgement, organisational leadership, and strong stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to engage with researchers, professional services leaders, governments, funders, philanthropic organisations, and industry partners.
• Ability to inspire diverse, high-performing teams, navigate complexity, drive institutional change, and promote an inclusive, collaborative culture.

Culture & Benefits

• Inclusive, flexible, community-oriented, and international working culture focused on scientific excellence and diversity.
• Salary free of income tax, annual salary review, pension scheme, insurance coverage, and family, child, and non-resident allowances.
• Private medical insurance for the employee and immediate family, including prescriptions and dental and optical coverage.
• 30 days of annual leave plus public holidays, alongside paid maternity and parental leave and child sick leave.
• Relocation package including an installation grant, visa exemptions for successful international candidates, education support, and travel support to the home country.
• Heidelberg campus facilities include a free shuttle bus, library, subsidised cafeteria, sports and social clubs, and kindergarten.

Hiring process

• Submit a cover letter and CV through the online application system.
• Application materials may be reviewed by Egon Zehnder and the selection committee.
• Interviews are planned in person in Frankfurt on 22 January 2027; applications close at 23:59 CET on 09 November 2026.