Communications Officer – EMBL Barcelona

Context

We are Europe’s 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. Joining the EMBL Barcelona laboratory, you will have the opportunity to support scientists around the world, whose mission is pioneering new ways to understand how human tissues and organs function.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and creative Communications Officer to join the Administration and Communication team. This is an exciting opportunity for an early career communication officer, with an interest in science and a passion for storytelling, to develop their skills and contribute to the visibility and engagement of an international research organisation.

Working closely with scientists and colleagues across EMBL's six sites and external partners, you will contribute to a broad range of communication activities, from digital content creation and social media to internal communications, public engagement and local partnerships.

You will have the opportunity to learn from experienced communications professionals, work with diverse audiences and stakeholders, and gradually develop your own areas of responsibility. We welcome applications from candidates with different backgrounds and levels of experience who are curious, proactive and eager to grow.

Your role

As Communications Officer, you will contribute to the planning and delivery of internal and external communications activities, helping to bring EMBL Barcelona's research, people and achievements to a variety of audiences. Working with colleagues across the organisation, you will create engaging content, support digital and media communications, and coordinate public engagement, outreach and stakeholder activities.

This is a varied and highly collaborative role offering an excellent opportunity to build experience across different areas of institutional and science communications. You will be supported by experienced colleagues and encouraged to develop your skills, take initiative and progressively assume greater ownership of projects and activities.

Main responsibilities include

• Contributing to the development and implementation of the EMBL Barcelona Communications Plan, ensuring alignment with EMBL's wider communications strategy and priorities.
• Developing engaging content and stories highlighting scientific achievements, institutional activities and people at EMBL Barcelona, for use across EMBL's website, social media, publications and other communication channels.
• Managing and developing EMBL Barcelona's social media presence, particularly LinkedIn, including exploring creative formats such as video and multimedia content.
• Coordinating the preparation of institutional communication materials, including the EMBL Barcelona Highlights Report and contributions to external publications and partner communications.
• Supporting media relations activities by identifying relevant stories, preparing communication materials in close collaboration with EMBL's Communications.
• Developing and coordinating local internal communications initiatives, including content for information screens, internal campaigns and activities that strengthen employee engagement.
• Planning and delivery of public engagement and outreach activities, as well as science communication and cultural/art initiatives.
• Development and coordination of local partnerships with scientific institutions, universities, cultural organisations and other relevant stakeholders.
• Support stakeholder engagement and events communications.
• Contributing to joint communication initiatives and campaigns across EMBL, working closely with communications colleagues at the different EMBL sites and participating in relevant EMBL-wide working groups.

Reporting locally to the Head of Administration at EMBL Barcelona, you will also work in close collaboration with the Communications team at EMBL Headquarters. This dual reporting arrangement ensures that local communication activities respond to the needs and priorities of EMBL Barcelona while remaining aligned with EMBL's overall communications strategy, institutional identity and standards.

You have

• A degree or equivalent qualification in Communications, Journalism, Media Studies, Public Relations or a related field combined with curiosity about science and an interest in making complex topics accessible and engaging for different audiences.
• Experience (3 to 5 years) in communication, storytelling and creating content.
• Excellent written and spoken English and confidence in expressing ideas clearly.
• A creative mindset, good writing skills and an eye for detail.
• An interest in social media and digital communications and curiosity about new platforms, formats and ways of reaching different audiences.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to plan your work, manage tasks and follow things through.
• An open and collaborative attitude, with an interest in connecting and working with people from different backgrounds.
• Initiative, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn, experiment and develop new skills.

You may also have

• Created content for social media, blogs, websites, newsletters or other channels, whether through your studies, personal interests, student activities or professional experience.
• Hands on experience with visual storytelling.
• Used digital communication tools, social media platforms or content creation applications.
• Taken part in organising events, campaigns, student initiatives, outreach activities or collaborative projects.
• An interest in science communication or experience working with scientific, academic or cultural communities.
• Knowledge of Spanish and/or Catalan
• Experience gained in international or multicultural environment.

We recognise that relevant skills and experience can be gained in different ways and encourage you to apply if you are eager to learn and develop, even if you do not meet every point listed.

Contract length: 3 years (renewable up to 9 years)

Salary: Grade 5 (monthly salary from 3.340,35 EUR after tax, plus generous benefits and financial allowances based on individual circumstances; excluding 12.99% personal pension and insurance contributions)

Why join us

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.

Enjoy lots of benefits:

• Financial incentives: Salary free of income tax, Monthly family, child and non-resident allowances, annual salary review, pension scheme, death benefit, 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 to public holidays
• Relocation package including installation grant (conditions apply)
• Campus life: Library, on-site 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
• Benefits for international newcomers: 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. Visit our International Applicants page, to find out more.
• 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

06/12/2026