Senior Communications Officer

EMBO is looking for a highly skilled Senior Communications Officer who specializes in content and media relations. The position combines high-level strategic planning, hands-on communication tasks, and a high degree of autonomy, expertise and responsibility.
In this role you will support the Head of Communications in developing the EMBO content strategy and overseeing its implementation. An important part of this role is to proactively build, nurture, and leverage a robust network of press offices across universities, research institutes, and government-level bodies to amplify EMBO’s impact at national and international levels.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Content Strategy and Production

• Design content frameworks (messaging), content governance models, and publishing workflows for multi-channel products and campaigns.
• Manage the end-to-end editorial process, including researching, drafting, editing, and fact-checking complex scientific and policy content.
• Oversee content calendars to streamline messaging and synchronized publication rollouts across EMBO’s programmes and activities.
• Author high-level institutional copy including op-eds, speeches, and contributions to annual reports.
• Audit and optimize existing content repositories for accuracy, relevance, and value.
• Secure brand consistency across all written and multimedia publications.

Media Relations and Ecosystem Collaboration

• Develop an institutional network by establishing direct partnerships with communication offices at scientific institutes and organizations, nationally and internationally.
• Act as the primary point of contact for media inquiries.
• Draft comprehensive press assets, including media alerts, press packages, and Q&As.
• Facilitate joint cross-border campaigns and coordinated press releases with international partner institutions to maximize regional media reach.
• Monitor media coverage and report reach metrics to the Head of Communications.
• Support crisis response.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a highly related field.
• 7+ years of proven experience in organizational communication roles in an international environment.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate complex concepts into engaging narratives.
• High political and social awareness needed to collaborate with experts, internally and externally.
• Strong organizational skills.
   

Contract length: 3 years (renewable to a maximum of 9 years).

Salary: Grade 6, monthly salary from EUR 4.580,37 (after tax, and before 12.99% EMBL social security deductions) plus other paid benefits. 

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 70 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.

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.

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:

• Financial incentives: Salary free of income tax, 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

• 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 applicable)

• 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, 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/ 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 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