Policy Assistant, EMBO Policy Programme

Your role 

As Policy Assistant, you will support the daily operations of the EMBO Policy Programme and contribute to projects on topics such as research assessment, research integrity, and science–policy interfaces. You will report to the Senior Policy Officer and work closely with other teams across EMBO.

This is an excellent opportunity to further your experience in science policy and to contribute to initiatives that aim to improve the research environment for life scientists in Europe. You will be part of a small team where your work can make a visible impact.

Your tasks will include:

• Supporting the organization and delivery of policy workshops, multi-stakeholder meetings, and other events
• Contributing to the drafting and editing of policy documents, briefings, reports and presentations
• Taking notes and preparing summaries from meetings
• Supporting EMBO’s engagement with policy networks such as CoARA, DORA, and the Federation of European Academies of Medicine (FEAM)
• Maintaining policy-related resources and webpages
• Drafting social media posts to communicate policy activities, events and initiatives in collaboration with the EMBO Communications team.
• Assisting with regular communications with the Policy Advisory Board
• Performing general administrative and logistical tasks to support the Policy Programme
• Performing additional tasks as required

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

You have 

• A university degree (Bachelor’s or Master’s) in life sciences, public policy, or a relevant field and a keen interest in science policy issues
• Previous experience supporting policy projects, events, or communications preferably in an international and/or scientific environment
• The ability of analyzing complex contexts and extract key insights
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
• The ability to work effectively in a multicultural team and with external stakeholders
• A proactive, flexible and positive approach to work

You may also have

• Familiarity with the European research or policy landscape
• Knowledge of additional European languages, especially German

Why join 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.

Our diverse international team of approximately 60 members hails from various countries, personal backgrounds, and professional fields, collaborating closely to further our mission. EMBO is located on the international EMBL life sciences research campus in Heidelberg, Germany.

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.

Enjoy lots of benefits:

EMBO offers a fixed-term contract of three years for this position, issued through the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL). Contracts can be extended up to a maximum of nine years in total, subject to circumstances at the time of the review.

• Financial incentives: Salary free of income tax, monthly family and child allowances, annual salary review, pension scheme, death benefit, long-term care, accident-at-work and unemployment insurances
• Flexible working arrangements
• Private medical insurance for you and your immediate family (including all prescriptions and generous dental & optical cover)
• Generous time off: 30 days annual leave per year, in addition public holidays
• Campus life: Free shuttle bus, on-site library, subsidised on-site gym and cafeteria, casual dress code, extensive sports and social club activities (on campus and remotely)
• Family benefits: Kindergarten (Heidelberg), 10 days of child sick leave, generous paid maternity/parental leave and monthly family & child allowances
• For detailed information please visit our employee benefits page here.

What else you need to know

• EMBL/ EMBO is a signatory of DORA. Find out how we apply DORA principles to our recruitment and performance assessment processes here.
• Diversity and inclusion: At EMBO, we strongly believe that inclusive and diverse teams benefit from higher levels of innovation and creative thought. We encourage applications from women, LGBTQ+ & individuals from all nationalities. 
• How to apply: To apply please submit a cover letter and a CV, including contact details of two or three referees, through our online system. Applications will close at 23:59 CET on the date shown below. We aim to provide a response within two weeks after the closing date.