EMBO is hiring a SPARKHub Director in Heidelberg, Germany, to lead SPARKHub, the Sustainable Practice and Research Knowledge Hub, an international open access platform that helps researchers reduce the environmental impact of their work. The 3-year contract is at Grade 7, with a monthly salary starting from €5,408.54 after tax plus benefits and allowances. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the vacancy: applications close on 16 November 2026 at 23:59 CET.
What Is SPARKHub?
SPARKHub, the Sustainable Practice and Research Knowledge Hub, is an international initiative to develop and operate an open access platform for sustainable research practices. The platform will be launched in November 2026 to support researchers and organisations in reducing the environmental impact of their activities by providing:
📚 A catalogue of measures
🧭 Guidance
🎓 Training
🧮 Calculators
👥 Peer learning
🏅 Certification
EMBO will host SPARKHub in Heidelberg from 2027 onwards. The initiative is supported by an international group of funders and societies and was started by UK Research & Innovation (UKRI).
Your Role as Programme Director
As Programme Director, you will lead the implementation and development of SPARKHub, with overall accountability for programme delivery. You will build and guide a small agile team to operate the platform and work with researchers, research organisations, societies and the wider community to ensure it is credible, practical and responsive to users' needs across the research system.
Main Responsibilities
🧪 Lead the scientific operation and further development of the SPARKHub platform, manage the programme team, and set work plans and priorities.
🖥️ Oversee the development and maintenance of website content, including the certification criteria, guidance, training materials and calculators.
🔍 Establish an expert content review board and oversee the quality of platform content.
🌐 Represent SPARKHub internationally, engaging directly with researchers, research performing organisations, funders, societies, policy stakeholders and community initiatives to inform programme development and uptake.
🔭 Monitor scientific developments, tools, policies and community practice relating to the environmental impact of research, and translate these into programme priorities.
📋 Prepare and facilitate meetings of the SPARKHub Oversight Board and oversee programme reporting, including the annual report.
✅ Oversee and improve the certification and peer review processes, ensuring consistent review standards, quality control, clear user guidance and effective support.
🧰 Manage external suppliers, including developers, to ensure the technical foundation of the platform can support its growth and needs.
🤝 Work with EMBO colleagues, including administration, finance and communications, to ensure that SPARKHub is integrated, efficient and compliant.
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What You Need to Bring
🎓 A PhD in the life sciences or a related field
♻️ A strong understanding of the research sustainability landscape, including the practical barriers and opportunities for research groups and institutions
📅 Proven experience in project planning and implementation, preferably in an international scientific or science-policy environment
🏛️ Experience working with multiple research stakeholders, including researchers, funders, research performing organisations and policy stakeholders
✍️ Experience drafting guidance, policy papers and reports for scientific and policy audiences
🗂️ Excellent organisational skills, attention to detail, sound judgement and the ability to manage several priorities concurrently
🗣️ Excellent written and oral English, including the ability to communicate complex issues clearly to different audiences
🌟 A collaborative leadership style and the ability to build trust and act diplomatically within international and interdisciplinary communities
Nice-to-Have Experience
🔬 Demonstrated expertise in sustainable research practices, particularly in life science laboratories
📰 Publications in the field of sustainable research
📖 Experience developing training materials, community resources or scientific standards
💼 Experience managing suppliers or grant-funded programmes
🇪🇺 Additional European language skills
Travel and Working Hours
✈️ The position may require occasional travel and work outside normal working hours, including evenings or weekends.
Contract and Salary
📄 Contract duration: 3 years
💶 Salary: Grade 7, monthly salary starting from €5,408.54 after tax, plus generous benefits and financial allowances based on individual circumstances
📌 The salary figure excludes 12.99% personal pension and insurance contributions
About EMBO
EMBO is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to promoting excellence in the life sciences in Europe and beyond. It funds talented researchers at all career stages, facilitates scientific exchanges through high-quality academic publishing, conferences and lectures, and fosters a research environment where scientists can achieve their best work.
EMBO's diverse international team of approximately 70 staff collaborate closely with one another and with external stakeholders. EMBO is located on the international EMBL life sciences research campus in Heidelberg. At EMBO, you can contribute significantly to the advancement of the life sciences: your work enables talented scientists to do great research and creates an environment that supports their success.
Living in Heidelberg
Heidelberg, with a population of around 160,000 people, is an international university city and research hub. It is 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.
Benefits of Working at EMBO
💵 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 and optical cover
🏖️ Generous time off: 30 days of annual leave per year, in addition to public holidays
📦 Relocation package including an installation grant (conditions apply)
🏫 Campus life: on-site library, 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 and 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
International Applicants, DORA and Diversity
🛂 International applicants: EMBO recruits internationally, and successful candidates are offered visa exemptions.
⚖️ DORA: EMBL/EMBO is a signatory of DORA and applies its principles to recruitment and performance assessment processes.
🧬 Diversity and inclusion: EMBO believes diverse teams drive innovation and scientific excellence, and encourages applications from candidates of all genders, identities, nationalities and other diverse backgrounds.
How to Apply
📝 Submit a Cover Letter and a CV through the online system.
🕛 Applications close at 23:59 CET on 16 November 2026.
📬 EMBO aims to provide a response within two weeks after the closing date.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the SPARKHub Director do?
The SPARKHub Director leads the implementation and development of SPARKHub, an open access platform for sustainable research practices, with overall accountability for programme delivery. The role includes building a small team, overseeing content and certification, managing suppliers and representing SPARKHub internationally.
Who hosts SPARKHub?
EMBO will host SPARKHub in Heidelberg from 2027 onwards. The initiative was started by UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) and is supported by an international group of funders and societies.
What qualifications are required?
A PhD in the life sciences or a related field, a strong understanding of the research sustainability landscape, proven project planning experience and experience working with researchers, funders and policy stakeholders.
What is the salary for the SPARKHub Director?
The position is at Grade 7, with a monthly salary starting from €5,408.54 after tax, plus benefits and allowances based on individual circumstances. This excludes 12.99% personal pension and insurance contributions.
How long is the contract?
The contract duration is 3 years.
Can international candidates apply?
Yes. EMBO recruits internationally, and successful candidates are offered visa exemptions along with benefits for international newcomers.
What do I need to submit and when?
A Cover Letter and a CV through EMBO's online system, before 23:59 CET on 16 November 2026. EMBO aims to respond within two weeks after the closing date.
Deadline
⏳ 16 November 2026
Links
📝 Application: https://embl.wd103.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/EMBL/job/Heidelberg/SPARKHub-Director_JR4783
🌐 SPARKHub: https://sparkhub.eu/
