GBC Global Biodata Infrastructure Project Officer

Help shape the future of global biodata infrastructure.

Join the  Global Biodata Coalition (GBC) Secretariat at EMBL-EBI as a Global Biodata Infrastructure Project Officer, where you’ll bring together international partners, lead impactful projects and help strengthen the sustainability of the biodata infrastructure underpinning life sciences research worldwide.

You’ll play a central role in growing and connecting GBC’s community of 52 Global Core Biodata Resources (GCBRs), coordinating the GCBR Forum and working closely with resource leaders, funders, scientific experts and policymakers. You’ll have the opportunity to shape new initiatives, build influential partnerships and contribute to projects tackling some of the key challenges facing global biodata infrastructure.

GBC is embarking on an exciting new phase, supported by a five-year European Commission grant (2026–2030) and contributions from its member funders. This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing international initiative and make a tangible contribution to the future of life sciences research.

What you’ll do

• Deliver future GCBR selection rounds, managing applications, coordinating international reviewers and overseeing the online application process.

• Coordinate the GCBR Forum, working with its Chairs to shape agendas, prepare papers and capture key decisions and actions.

• Bring people together around shared challenges, coordinating working groups to deliver focused, time-limited projects, including defining key elements of sustainability.

• Connect the global biodata community, organising workshops and webinars that bring funders, biodata resources and other stakeholders together to explore funding and sustainability challenges.

• Turn ideas into action, working with GCBRs to develop and evaluate pilot projects that test new approaches to sustainability.

• Help map and strengthen the global biodata ecosystem, building engagement with biodata resources around the world and bringing their perspectives into GBC’s work.

• Influence decision-making, producing clear reports, briefings and papers for the GBC Board, senior leaders and advisory groups.

• Play an active role in GBC governance and external engagement, contributing to Board, advisory group and stakeholder meetings.

• Help tell the GBC story, contributing to communications across the website, reports, papers and other outputs.

• Support the delivery of an ambitious global programme, taking on additional projects and activities that help advance the GBC’s strategic priorities.

The Global Biodata Infrastructure Project Officer reports to the GBC Programme Manager and will work closely with the GBC’s Scientific Head and other Secretariat colleagues, delivering key projects, and taking forward other pieces of work to ensure the successful delivery of GBC’s programme.
 

You will have

• Experience in academia or the life sciences in a research, funding or policy role

• Experience working with organisations across geographies and demonstrated sensitivity to cultural differences

• A formal project management qualification 

• Strong team working skills, including demonstrable experience of managing and contributing to successful project teams

• A proactive, open and professional attitude, with the ability to build relationships with people at all levels

• Very strong English verbal, written and presentation skills

• An established track record in project management, with a minimum of 3-years’ experience of managing and delivering a diverse range of projects in a professional setting

• Highly self-motivated with the ability to plan, prioritise and deliver work independently

• A passion for science and technology policy and open data

• Strong organisational, time management and priority-setting skills

• The ability to work independently and as a member of a hybrid, geographically-distributed team

• Able to communicate with impact and listen actively, respecting the views of others so they feel valued and heard

You may also have

• A higher degree in the life or biomedical sciences

Contract length: Project-based, 3-year fixed-term Staff Member contract. 

Salary: Grade 5 or Grade 6, depending on qualifications and depth of experience. Monthly salary from £3,452.05 for Grade 5 or £3,861.91 for Grade 6, after tax but excluding personal pension and insurance contributions; plus, generous benefits.

Next steps: Please submit an up- to-date CV and supporting cover letter outlining your transferable skills and experience and motivation for applying.  

Interviews are scheduled to take place on Friday, 21st August.

*** We will review applications on a rolling basis and as such, encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible. ***

Why join us

Do something meaningful
At EMBL-EBI you can apply your talent and passion to accelerate science and tackle some of humankind's greatest challenges. EMBL-EBI, part of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, is a worldwide leader in the storage, analysis and dissemination of large biological datasets. We provide the global research community with access to publicly available databases and tools which are crucial for the advancement of healthcare, food security, and biodiversity.
 

Join a culture of innovation
We are located on the Wellcome Genome Campus, alongside other prominent research and biotech organisations, and surrounded by beautiful Cambridgeshire countryside. This is a highly collaborative and inclusive community where our employees enjoy a relaxed atmosphere. We are committed to ensuring our employees feel valued, supported and empowered to reach their professional potential.  Watch this video to see how EMBL-EBI makes an impact.

Enjoy lots of benefits:

• Financial incentives: Monthly family, child and non-resident allowances, annual salary review, pension scheme, death benefit, long-term care, accident-at-work and unemployment insurances

• Flexible working arrangements - including hybrid working patterns 

• 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

• Relocation package including installation grant (if required)

• Campus life: Free shuttle bus to and from work, on-site library, subsidised on-site gym and cafeteria, casual dress code, extensive sports and social club activities (on campus and remotely)

• Family benefits: On-site nursery, 10 days of child sick leave, generous parental leave, holiday clubs on campus and monthly family and child allowances

• Benefits for non-UK residents: Visa exemption, education grant for private schooling, financial support to travel back to your home country every second year and a monthly non-resident allowance.

For detailed information please visit our employee benefits page here. 

What else you need to know

• International applicants: We recruit internationally and successful candidates are offered visa exemptions. Please take a look at our International Applicants page for further information.  

• EMBL is a signatory of DORA. Find out how we apply DORA principles to our recruitment and performance assessment processes here.

• Diversity and inclusion: At EMBL, we believe that diverse teams drive innovation and scientific excellence. We encourage applications from candidates of all genders, identities, nationalities and/or any other diverse backgrounds.

• How to apply: To apply please submit a cover letter and a CV 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.

Closing Date