Data Steward

About Friedrich Schiller University Jena

Located centrally in Germany, Friedrich Schiller University Jena is a vibrant and innovative institution offering a broad academic spectrum. With approximately 17,000 students and 10,000 employees, it actively shapes the future through outstanding research and teaching. The university’s scientific excellence manifests in its key research profiles: Light, Life, and Liberty, providing leading insights and sustainable solutions for societal challenges. It enjoys close collaboration with top research centers, innovative businesses, and renowned cultural institutions, driving interdisciplinary progress.

Position Overview

The Institute of Computer Science within the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science is inviting applications for a full-time (40 hours/week) Data Steward position. This role is limited in term until June 30, 2030, within the DFG-funded Collaborative Research Centre 1768 “VirusREvolution: Decoding tools for virus research.” This ambitious consortium aims to develop novel bioinformatics and optical tools for virus discovery, characterization, regulation, and visualization.

Role Responsibilities

• Design, scientifically advance, and assess a comprehensive data management strategy across the consortium covering research data, software, and digital research objects.
• Collaborate closely with project teams to analyze scientific requirements for data, software, and metadata management and create effective solutions.
• Create, implement, and regularly update data management plans using the RDMO tool in cooperation with the scientific subprojects.
• Provide expert scientific advice on FAIR principles, metadata standards, data modeling, repositories, data publication, and reuse opportunities.
• Develop and apply semantic concepts and standardized procedures for describing, annotating, and integrating research objects.
• Formulate policies, standards, and Open Science–aligned workflows and research processes.
• Cooperate with university infrastructure units, the computing center, and national research data infrastructures such as NFDI consortia.
• Organize, carry out, and evaluate training, consulting, and knowledge transfer activities focused on research data management, FAIR data, and bioinformatics workflows.
• Contribute to scientific publications, presentations, and dissemination of concepts developed within the project.

Candidate Profile

• A completed university degree (Master or Diploma) in bioinformatics, computer science, data science, biology, or a related field; a PhD is desirable.
• Practical experience in scientific research data management or data-intensive research projects, especially regarding FAIR principles, data management planning, and data publishing.
• Familiarity with semantic technologies, ontologies, Bioschemas, Linked Data, or related methodologies is advantageous.
• Experience designing scientific concepts for managing research data, metadata, or research software is a plus.
• Experience conducting scientific training, advisory, or transfer activities is beneficial.
• Interest in advancing research data management, Open Science, and semantic interoperability scientifically.
• Ability to work independently on scientific tasks and collaboratively within an interdisciplinary research consortium.
• Fluency in German and English, both spoken and written.
• A self-driven, organized, and cooperative approach to work.

Offer and Working Conditions

• Integration into a large, ambitious research consortium.
• Access to excellent technical equipment and infrastructure.
• Comprehensive professional development and training programs.
• Family-friendly work environment including university family office support and flexible childcare options.
• Health promotion programs and a broad university sports offer.
• Compensation according to the collective agreement for the public service of the federal states (TV-L), E13 pay group, including annual special payment, depending on personal qualifications.
• Entitlement to 30 days of vacation annually plus two additional days off on December 24 and 31.
• The position can be filled part-time subject to operational requirements and negotiation.
• Preference given to severely disabled applicants with equivalent qualifications.