Scientific Training Officer - Digital Learning

About the team/job

Training is a core activity across EMBL-EBI, involving almost every part of the organisation and coordinated by a team of about 20 people. The Training Team delivers a world-recognised programme that includes virtual and face-to-face training for a global audience, alongside self-paced online learning, live webinars, and capacity building through secondments and train-the-trainer workshops. The team also contributes to a high number of externally funded projects.

The EMBL-EBI Training programme also sits under the umbrella of the EMBL International Advanced Training Centre (EICAT) where we work closely with colleagues across all EMBL sites to deliver an EMBL wide programme of events.

Your role

The focus of this role will be developing online training resources for EMBL-EBI's on-demand eLearning portal as well as contributing to EMBL-EBI’s live course programme as required, and training users of the EMBL-EBI's bioinformatics services. In addition, the role will focus on contributing to the training website development by working with the web development team and the training web content committee to identify and plan for new developments based on user feedback and changes in digital learning trends. Further, the role will involve taking a lead in supporting the training team in their continuing improvement of the use of training tools and technology.

Responsibilities include:

• Developing, quality checking, publishing and updating online training courses (including webinars) in liaison with subject-matter experts from EMBL-EBI, EMBL and collaborating organisations.
• Keeping abreast of tools and technology trends for learning, to ensure that EMBL-EBI training remains at the cutting edge by conceptualising and creating new types of accessible online training content, tools and approaches and proactively taking ideas and solutions to the managerial team for incorporation into strategic direction and ways of working.
• Working with the web development team and the training web content committee to identify and plan for new developments based on user feedback and changes in digital learning trends.
• Training and assisting others to develop their online training skills, both within and beyond EMBL-EBI, and use of digital learning tools.
• Interacting with others throughout EMBL to share eLearning expertise, optimise use of software tools and avoid duplication of effort.
• Acquiring, monitoring and responding to feedback from eLearning course users for the purposes of quality control and future development, whilst also looking to find new ways to assess user engagement.
• Presenting EMBL-EBI's eLearning activities at meetings, conferences and during training courses.
• Developing training materials for virtual delivery and face to face courses as a part of live training programme and training on courses, as required.
• Ensuring training content is open and FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable and reproducible) and identifying new ways of doing so.
• Working closely with the team’s marketing manager to extend the reach of on-demand training.
• Being an active member of the wider eLearning / training community and participating in projects, where appropriate.

You have

• A PhD (or similar level of experience) in molecular life sciences or a related subject, postdoctoral experience (or similar level) preferred.
• Experience in communicating complex concepts to scientists, ideally in a learning environment.
• Experience in contributing to outreach and communications including the creation of web content, social media, mailing lists and newsletters.
• Experience in using computational biology databases and tools.
• Able to work to deadlines; good time management, management of own workload and organisational skills.
• Comfortable in using remote collaboration tools and digital project management software (e.g. Zoom, Slack, Trello, or similar software).
• HTML editing, troubleshooting and user experience basics.
• Experience of using web-based content management systems or learning content management systems.
• Demonstrable enthusiasm for both the scientific and the andragogic aspects of the role.
• Excellent writing and editing skills.
• Skills in liaising effectively with subject-matter experts, design and production teams to achieve the desired end result.
• Excellent organisational, communication and interpersonal skills and have the ability to work well as part of a team.
• Ability to train and mentor team members and others to develop online training skills.

You might also have

• A professional qualification in online/digital learning.
• Experience in website development work.
• Experience in delivering teaching/training and/or designing training programmes for specific audiences.
• Experience of working in an international environment.
• Experience in contributing to projects in an international context, with a strong understanding of Agile working methodology.
• Knowledge of best practices and standards for eLearning.
• Able to set up and use data-driven processes for monitoring and evaluation to improve user engagement and satisfaction.
• Familiarity with using large biomedical data sets to answer research questions.
• Knowledge of Unix/Linux, and familiarity with a programming language and/or bioinformatics analysis.

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.

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.
• 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 eight bank 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 more details please see our employee benefits page.

What else you need to know

• Contract duration: This position is a 3 year contract, renewable to a maximum of 9 years.
• International applicants: We recruit internationally and successful candidates are offered visa exemptions. Read more on our page for international applicants.
• Diversity and inclusion: At EMBL-EBI, we strongly believe that inclusive and diverse teams benefit from higher levels of innovation and creative thought. We encourage applications from women, LGBTQ+ and individuals from all nationalities.
• EMBL is a signatory of DORA. Find out how we implement best practices in research assessment in our recruitment processes here.
• Job location: This role is based in Hinxton, near Cambridge, UK. You will be required to relocate if you are based overseas and you will receive a generous relocation package to support you.
• How to apply: To apply please submit a cover letter and a CV through our online system.
• Interviews: anticipated to take place between 3 & 5 December 2024.