Head of Building Maintenance

Location:Heidelberg, Germany

Staff Category:Staff Member

Contract Duration:3 years (renewable up to 9 years)

Grading: 6, 7 or 8, depending on experience and qualifications

Closing Date: 16 March 2014

Reference Number: HD_00433

Job Description

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) is one of the highest ranked scientific research organisations in the world. The Headquarters Laboratory is located in Heidelberg (Germany), with additional sites in Grenoble (France), Hamburg (Germany), Hinxton (UK) and Monterotondo (Italy).

The Facility Management has the overall responsibility for the operation of all EMBL estate properties with a total floor area of approximately 40.000 m2. We are looking for a Head of Building Maintenance experienced in electrical engineering and other building and technical service areas as well as building services engineering. Reporting directly to the Facility Manager, the post-holder will be part of an international team with responsibility for approximately 20 staff and will also deputise for the Facility Manager. The post-holder will also supervise and coordinate approximately 20 external technicians from up to 25 contractor firms on a daily basis.

Main duties and responsibilities for this technical facility management role are the following:

• Overall responsibility for the technical real estate.
• Technical supervision of projects in the EMBL Outstations. 
• Technical supervision of the laboratory kitchens which are used for cleaning and keeping scientific equipment hygienic. 
• Building supervision for refurbishment and extensions, measuring and control technology, fire warning systems, video and safety engineering, as well as the telecommunications system 
• Technical supervision for campus safety of the video system & data control team.
• Technical supervision of the EMBL Technical Security Team.
• Close collaboration with the police (Amt für Verkehrsmanagement) and the fire department authorities. 
• Assignments as project leader and manager of projects that can be in the two-digit million-range. Planning and realization of servicing and maintenance and modernization measures including the supervision of orders and their implementation as well as laboratory conversions.

Responsibility for the medium and low voltage systems and the emergency power supply.

Qualifications and Experience

For this interesting and challenging position we are looking for a graduate Electrical Engineer (e.g. Elektroingenieur FH), ideally with an additional qualification in 20 KV circuit switching authorisation. The ideal candidate will have at least five years practical work experience in planning, construction and operation of the above mentioned fields with a business qualification and profound knowledge in SAP as well as further training in, e.g. laser security, fire protection and health and safety coordination. The position will also require comprehensive expertise in the technical areas of heating, ventilation, cooling and sanitary as well as civil engineering. Knowledge in special areas such as: laboratory construction, clean-room technology, animal houses and animal housing systems and cryogenic gases are indispensable. The post holder needs to be able to manage a team and to interact with a large user community as well as being self-motivated, capable of making decisions, goal-oriented and proactive. Very good command of the German and English language is essential. Willingness to work outside normal office hours, including weekends is required. Teamwork, demonstrated interpersonal skills and a service oriented attitude is also required.

To view a German version of this job description, please click here

Application Instructions

Please apply online through www.embl.org/jobs

EMBL is an inclusive, equal opportunity employer offering attractive conditions and benefits appropriate to an international research organisation.

Please note that appointments on fixed term contracts can be renewed, depending on circumstances at the time of the review.