Recruitment: What to expect

Our recruitment process

Step 1: Application

We are very pleased you have decided to join our team. Our application process follows these steps:

1. Find the role you want to apply for on our Jobs page.
2. Upload your CV and cover letter.
3. A qualified panel will assess your application.
4. We will contact you with the outcome within 2–4 weeks after the vacancy has closed.

Step 2: Interview

We try to be consistent and offer opportunities to people from all over the world. Therefore in most cases, your first interview will be held virtually.

We’ll make every effort to ensure you have the same experience as you would in person, so you’ll commonly have a panel interview, chaired by your potential Group or Team Leader, followed by an informal catch up with your prospective colleagues.

We also offer meet the team sessions to provide a personal insight into what it’s like to work at EMBL-EBI. So grab a cup of coffee and ask us whatever you like.

Don’t worry, if you have never been to Hinxton, or visited our Campus before, we will organise a site visit before you sign an offer.

Step 3: Offer and onboarding

As a final step your Talent Acquisition Partner will contact you to talk through the pay and benefits we would like to offer, and to help answer any questions you have. After this we will send you a written offer and commence our onboarding process.

Whether you’re joining us from within or outside of the UK, we will make sure you have everything you need for day one.

Please see the FAQ below for further information.

Recruitment and onboarding FAQ

Will I be required to travel for interviews on-site?

No. In most cases we will not require you to travel to meet with us in person. To keep the process as fair and inclusive as possible, our preference is to host all our interviews virtually.

I have been invited for a virtual interview, how do I prepare?

Our top tips are:

• Check your space is ready; make sure you have somewhere quiet to speak and check your microphone, Wi-Fi and camera are ready to go 
• Look back at your past experiences to remind yourself of your achievements. Some of the questions we ask may be behavioural, i.e.: “tell us about a time where….”  so it can be helpful to refresh your memory.
• Don’t be afraid to take a pause and gather your thoughts before you answer a question
• Come ready with questions for us. You are here to interview us too.

If I have a virtual interview, will I get the chance to visit the Campus before I sign an offer?

Yes. Nothing beats meeting people in person and seeing what the working environment is like first hand. As part of the recruitment process we can organise a visit to site before you sign your contract.

Can I work from home?

Yes. Although we value the sense of togetherness that working on Campus brings, we also recognise that our teams are just as productive working from home. We offer hybrid working options including the opportunity to split your time between your home and the Campus.

Talk to your Talent Acquisition Partner or potential Team Leader to see what works for you and the team.

Do I need to relocate to the UK? 

Unfortunately we cannot offer 100% remote contracts at this stage.

However, we make every effort to accommodate individual circumstances and all employees are eligible to request a flexible/hybrid working pattern. This may include part time hours, staggered start / finish times and a percentage of their time working from home.

Can I start remotely and then relocate?

If you are located overseas, or in another part of the UK, you may need a little more time to organise your move. To take the pressure off, we are happy to accommodate a remote start on a temporary basis. During the pandemic we’ve become experts at onboarding new starters remotely and will make sure you are set up with the resources, hardware and digital capability to work from home – wherever this may be.

I have some questions, can I speak with someone in HR?

Of course. Before you join us, you will be assigned a dedicated People Advisor who can help you with visa applications, removal queries and travel arrangements. They are here to help, so don’t be afraid to ask.

What does the onboarding process involve?

After accepting your new role, you will be sent a number of onboarding documents to complete. These are digital and can be completed on a mobile or desktop computer.

At the same time you will be assigned a dedicated HR Partner who will be your point of contact throughout your time working with us. They will get you set up in our system, liaise with your new Team Leader and meet with you for a new starter induction during your first week.  

Our IT team will ensure you are set up with the hardware, digital capability and resources required for day one and introduce you to our IT support team.

Questions?

If you have any further questions, please email the EMBL-EBI Talent Acquisition Team at recruitment@ebi.ac.uk.