Scientific Editor (Absence cover)

About us

EMBO is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting excellence in the life sciences in Europe and beyond. We fund talented researchers at all career stages, facilitate scientific exchanges through high-quality academic publishing, conferences, and lectures, and foster a research environment where scientists can achieve their best work.

EMBO Press publishes four prestigious scientific research journals, The EMBO Journal, EMBO Reports, Molecular Systems Biology and EMBO Molecular Medicine. A fifth journal, Life Science Alliance, is published in association with Rockefeller University Press and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press. EMBO Press contributes to the review Commons pre-print peer review platform.

Our diverse international team of approximately 60 staff collaborate closely with one another and with external stakeholders to further our mission. EMBO is located on the international EMBL life sciences research campus in Heidelberg, Germany.

Your role

The successful candidate will be responsible for selecting research papers as well as commissioning reviews and commentaries in subject areas related to Cell Cycle; Cell Adhesion, Polarity & Cytoskeleton; Metabolism & Cell Biology and Vascular Biology for publication. The candidate will be expected to engage in regular travel to conferences and research institutions in the assigned subject areas. The scientific editor will be involved in publication activities across the four EMBO Press journals as well as other EMBO activities.

Flexible working arrangements, including the option to work from home two days a week, are available. The position requires regular travel and work outside normal working hours, including weekends.

You have

• Completed a successful PhD and postdoctoral experience, ideally in subject areas related to the scope described. A high level of scientific experimental- and analytical skills and a broad interest in all areas of the biosciences is essential.
• Good written and oral communication skills. Native speaker level language proficiency, journalistic or previous editorial experience are not required.
• Excellent organizational skills as well as the capacity for detail-oriented, authoritative yet fast scientific evaluation, high workloads and agile workflows.
• The ability to work to exemplary ethical standards and show the highest degree of objectivity and integrity.

You might also have

• International research experience in diverse academic or other research environments
• A significant publication record with evidence for active involvement in authorship on research paper and reviews.
• Peer review experience.

Why join us

Promote the life sciences

At EMBO, you can contribute significantly to the advancement of life sciences in Europe and beyond. Your work will enable talented scientists to do great research and create an environment that enables their success.

Join a professional working environment

EMBO values diversity and is an inclusive, equal opportunity employer. We cultivate a work environment where employees are valued and empowered to excel professionally.

Our offices are located on the EMBL campus in Heidelberg, Germany, which is home to over 1,000 employees from around the world. The campus has an on-site nursery, subsidized canteen and cafeteria, as well as clubs for social activities and sports.

Heidelberg, with a population of around 160,000 people, is an international university city and research hub. It is attractively located between the Rhine River and the Odenwald, a low mountain range that offers a wide range of outdoor activities. The city has good national and international travel connections.

What else you need to know

Contract duration

This is an absence cover position. EMBO offers a fixed-term contract of 12 months for this position, issued through the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL).

The start date will be between mid-August to early September 2025

How to apply

Please apply by clicking on the ‘Apply’ button at the top. Your application should include a cover letter, CV/resume, and contact details of two or three referees. Candidates selected for interviews will usually be notified within two weeks of the closing date.

The interview process includes an online pre-interview. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an in-person interview on campus, along with a technical task and short presentation in July 2025.

EMBO is committed to implementing best practices in research assessment, as reflected in our recruitment processes. We are a founding member of DORA and a member of CoARA, the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment.