Visitors and Scholars

EMBL-EBI welcomes scientists at all career stages to discuss the possibility of working with us on site in Hinxton. Our visitors and scholars either conduct collaborative projects with a member of staff or carry out their own research, enjoying the benefits of a large, interdisciplinary community and a critical mass of bioinformaticians and computational biologists.

• Scholars – Senior scientists may work with the EBI for a short period of study or sabbatical.
• Visiting scientists – Postdoctoral scientists may work closely with EMBL-EBI service or research teams. These visits vary widely in duration, and include our ‘Geek for a Week’ scheme.
• Student internships – Undergraduate, Masters and PhD students may undertake an internship or placement at EMBL-EBI to gain experience of working in bioinformatics.
• Funding

The EMBL Visitors and Scholars Programme also offers opportunities at other EMBL sites.

Scholars

Senior scientists and sabbatical visitors, particularly those from EMBL Member States, are invited to join us for a period of three months to a year. If you are interested, please email our Director's Office.

There are no application forms for this type of visit, but it would be helpful to send us the following:

• your CV and contact information for two referees
• the motivation for your visit
• dates of your intended visit, if known
• an outline of your intended programme of research
• any special facilities you may require

Regardless of whether you require funds, you will need to provide funding information (see funding). If the purpose of your visit is to collaborate with EMBL-EBI staff, we will require a letter from the potential collaborator(s).

Visiting scientists

Group applications

EMBL-EBI encourages joint applications from small groups of researchers (typically 2-5 individuals) to work together on site.

To apply, first contact the appropriate group or team leader. You will then need to supply the following:

• dates of your intended visit, if known
• a CV for each participant
• a single covering letter
• any special facilities you may require
• the names of two referees

Regardless of whether you require funds, you will need to provide funding information (see funding). If the purpose of your visit is to collaborate with EMBL-EBI staff, we will require a letter from the potential collaborator(s).

Student internships

Geek for a Week

EMBL-EBI's 'Geek for a Week' scheme offers bioinformaticians the chance to work at the EBI for an intensive placement of no more than a week.

To apply, please seelct the appropriate group or team leader from the list here, then submit the following:

• a statement of objectives for your visit, including why the visit would benefit your research
• your CV and contact information for two referees
• a covering letter
• any special facilities you may require

Geek for a Week visitors will need to arrange their own funding, accommodation and travel, as we are not currently able to provide any fellowships for this scheme.

Funding

In most cases EMBL-EBI is not able to offer financial support for its visitors. Applicants are welcome to apply to the European Molecular Biology Organization’s (EMBO) Short Term Fellowships for help covering their stay at EMBL-EBI under the standard EMBO conditions

Applications for EMBO Short Term Fellowships need to be supported by an EMBL-EBI staff member and should be completed using the online application form.

For more details about EMBO, visit the EMBO home page.

In exceptional circumstances, EMBL-EBI may be able to provide a small stipend, but this is decided on a case-by-case basis.