Data Steward 1

About the Position

For the Institute of Functional Materials for Sustainability at Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, we are seeking a Data Steward 1 as soon as possible. The position can also be filled on a part-time basis and is initially limited to one year, with a clear prospect of extension based on strong performance.

Equal opportunity is an important part of our personnel policy. We strongly encourage qualified women to apply for the position.

Responsibilities

As a Data Steward, you will sit between science, administration, IT, and compliance. In the ELN environment, this means:

• Ensuring data quality, consistency, timeliness, and completeness
• Defining and maintaining data standards, metadata, and ontologies
• Supporting users (e.g., scientists) with structured data entry
• Supporting governance issues (access rights, audit trails, GxP, etc.)
• Improving ELN workflows (analyzing and optimizing paper-based or legacy lab workflows into digital formats)
• Supporting the institute in the introduction of the ELN
• Training and empowering users
• Supporting the implementation of data governance and compliance requirements
• Identifying, analyzing, and remediating data quality issues
• Collaborating in migration and digitization projects

Requirements

Professional:

• A degree in computer science with an understanding of scientific work in natural sciences, or a degree in natural sciences (e.g., materials science, chemistry, physics, life sciences) with knowledge of computer science.
• Experience in data management, ideally in a laboratory environment.
• Knowledge of data structures, metadata, and FAIR principles.
• Experience with the introduction and handling of ELN, LIMS, or similar systems is a plus.
• Participation in the preparation and review of data management plans (DMPs) in accordance with the specifications of funding agencies (e.g., DFG, EU).
• Ensuring the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable).
• Participation in working groups of the Institute and possibly of the Center.

Technical:

• Basic understanding of databases and interfaces (APIs are an advantage).
• Experience in data modeling or structured information preparation.
• Affinity for digital tools and systems.
• Familiarity with data preservation and long-term archiving standards.

Soft Skills:

• Clear communication (interface between business and IT).
• Strong scientific understanding (for our interdisciplinary work).
• Structured, process-oriented way of working.
• Ability to take users on board and accompany change independently and proactively.
• Ability to communicate complex technical issues in an understandable way.
• Independent and proactive.
• High ability to work in a team.
• Willingness for continuous professional development.

We Offer

• An exciting and varied job in a research center with around 1,000 employees from more than 60 nations.
• An International Welcome Office with guest accommodation.
• 6 weeks of holiday per year; company holidays between Christmas and New Year's Day.
• Social benefits under the collective agreement for the German public sector and remuneration up to pay grade 13 (EntgO Bund).
• Very good work-life balance; options for mobile and flexible working.
• A well-connected research campus (public transport) and best networking opportunities, subsidy for the Deutschland­ticket if certain conditions are met (job ticket).
• Individual opportunities for training and development.
• An excellent technical infrastructure and modern workplace equipment.
• Very good compatibility of private and professional life; offers of mobile and flexible work.
• A family-friendly working environment with childcare options, e.g., a parent-child room.
• Workplace health promotion programs, e.g., an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Corporate benefits.

Severely disabled persons and those equaling severely disabled persons who are equally suitable for the position will be considered preferentially within the framework of legal requirements.

About the Company

Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon

The Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon conducts cutting-edge international research for a changing world: Around 1,000 employees contribute to tackling climate change, the sustainable use of the world's coastal systems, and the resource-compatible enhancement of the quality of life. From fundamental research to practical applications, the interdisciplinary research spectrum covers a unique range.

Institute of Functional Materials for Sustainability

Studies are focused on the development of functional materials for renewable energies and biological applications to enable a sustainable future. Current topics range from solar fuels production to waste upcycling for additive manufacturing and sustainable plastic-like materials for biological applications. We span materials synthesis, advanced operando characterization, and lab-scale testing. We use robotic, high-throughput methods, and data science to accelerate novel sustainable materials discovery.

Max-Planck-Straße 1

21502 Geesthacht

www.hereon.de

Interested? We are looking forward to receiving your application.