Expedition Field Technician

EMBL seeks for an Expedition Field Technician in the context of the new transversal research theme Planetary Biology. Spanning multiple ecosystems, the Planetary Biology research theme aims to understand, from the molecular to the population level, how microbes, plants, and animals interact and respond to each other and to their environment. Planetary Biology flagship project TREC (Traversing European Coastlines) is a pan European expedition that EMBL is coordinating in tight collaboration with scientists and institutions of all EMBLs’ member states. Within this project we aim to sample and study the land-sea interface along the European coastlines to monitor biodiversity along environmental gradients and local and global human footprint on coastal biodiversity and ecosystems processes.

The Expedition Field Technician will be part of the Scientific Expeditions team and will be involved in the preparation and execution of the field work land based sampling.

This position is ideally suited for an applicant who:

• Has vast experience in field work by sampling, processing and analysing sediments and water samples;
• Has expertise in handling environmental sensors;
• Has experience in sampling at remote places;
• Has been involved in field work organisation and implementation;
• Enjoys field work and is comfortable with frequent travelling (mainly in Europe);
• Adapts quickly to last minute changes during his/her job tasks;
• Is looking for a full time position in a dynamic team immersed in EMBL’s collaborative, interdisciplinary and culturally diverse research environment.

• Participating in planning the campaign for the land based sampling;
• Preparing the sampling day in advance at each TREC stop;
• Perform soil, sediments, aerosols and waters samping, with a main focus on superficial sediments and shallow waters sampling and processing;
• Perform environmental measurements using multi-sensors;
• Carry out water filtration, size fractionation and immediate preservation on site and at the processing laboratory for genomics, transcriptomics and chemical profiling;
• Process soil and superficial sediments samples for genomics, transcriptomics, chemical profiling and physical parameters measurements;

Contract duration: 18 months

Grading: 4 or 5; depending on experience and qualifications

Reference number: HD02351

• Technical studies;
• Flexibility to regularly travel (mostly within Europe) to coordinate sampling teams during expeditions and support all field work activities;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills as well as proficiency in English (both written and verbal); additional languages are considered a plus;
• Driving license

• Scientific diving license (An advanced diving license that allow scientific sampling);
• Underwater photography expertise;
• Experience in public engagement and or outreach activities

EMBL is curiosity-driven, community-oriented and international. As an inclusive, equal opportunity employer, we believe that diversity enables us to collaborate more effectively and be innovative in our approaches. We are, therefore, committed to creating an inclusive and flexible culture - one where everyone can realise their full potential and make a positive contribution to our organisation.

We encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing team – we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and personal experiences reflect the diversity of the populations that our science serves. We actively encourage applications from all genders and cultures, ethnic groups and all demographics to help us avoid perpetuating biases and oversights at this transformational point in our people strategy.

EMBL offers attractive conditions and benefits appropriate to an international research organisation with a very collegial and family-friendly working environment. Competitive salary and social security benefits, financial support for relocation, a relaxed culture, professional development, an on-site nursery, canteen and other staff facilities make EMBL a great place to work.

We are Europe’s flagship 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.

Our mission is to offer vital services in training scientists, students and visitors at all levels; to develop new instruments and methods in the life sciences and actively engage in technology transfer activities, and to integrate European life science research. The working language of the institute is English.

The initial contract is for a period of 18 months with the possibility of a fixed-term extension.

EMBL is a signatory of DORA. Find out how we implement best practices in research assessment in our recruitment processes here.

Please apply online through: www.embl.org/jobs