Governance

EMBL is an inter-governmental organisation with 28 member states, one associate member and two prospect members that is led by the Director General, Prof. Edith Heard, appointed by the EMBL Council.

The EMBL Council is composed of all member states of the Laboratory. Each member state is represented by up to two delegates, who may be accompanied by advisers. Council ensures that the financial requirements of the agreement establishing EMBL and of the agreements with host member states are complied with.

The Finance Committee assists the Council in the financial management and control of EMBL.

Council establishes a Scientific Advisory Committee that gives advice to Council, in particular with regard to proposals from the Director General on the realisation of the programme of the Laboratory. The Scientific Advisory Committee is composed of distinguished scientists appointed in their own right, not as representatives of member states.

people in a conference room
There are two Council meetings per year – one in summer, one in winter

Leadership

Director General

Chief executive officer and legal representative of EMBL, responsible for overall leadership, strategic direction and management of the organisation.

Deputy Director General

Assists the Director General in relation to engagement with EMBL Member States and external representation.

Chief Operating Officer

Responsible for providing administrative services to all members of personnel of the organisation at all six EMBL sites.

Director of EMBL Heidelberg

Provides oversight and coordination of scientific activities on the Heidelberg site, working closely with the Heads of Unit as well as the Director of Core Facilities and Scientific Services.

Director of Scientific Core Facilities and Services

Leads the provision of research services open to both internal and external scientists, who benefit significantly from the unit’s contributions and advice and are able to conduct research at and beyond normal state-of-the-art.

Heads of EMBL Sites

Provide leadership and guidance to their units, and assist the Director General and Deputy DG in representing EMBL to external stakeholders in their host countries.

Heads of Units

Provide leadership and guidance to their units, and assist the Director General and Deputy DG in representing EMBL to external stakeholders.

Senior Scientists

Assist the Heads of Units and the Director General in the organisation of activities in the Unit and EMBL.