Associate in Trusted Research Environments (DSS-25)

GESIS - Leibniz-Institut für Sozialwissenschaften; Köln; Vor Ort; EUR 45.000 - 60.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A prominent research institute in Cologne seeks an Associate in Trusted Research Environments to coordinate data access requests and manage secure research environments. The ideal candidate will have a bachelor's degree, excellent knowledge of social science data structures, and familiarity with quantitative research methods. Advantages include flexible working hours and opportunities for professional development. Interested candidates should apply online by 09.02.2026.

Leistungen

Flexible working hours

Subsidies for childcare

Holistic company health management

Support for pension provision

Further training opportunities

Qualifikationen

• Completion of a university degree, preferably in social sciences or data science.
• Excellent knowledge of social science data structures, especially survey data.
• Good knowledge of quantitative research methods and statistical programs.

Aufgaben

• Coordinate data access requests for the Secure Data Center.
• Set up access for projects and manage datasets.
• Administer secure research environments and manage user access.
• Provide guidance to researchers on secure data use.
• Liaise with external data providers to support secure data delivery.

Kenntnisse

Knowledge of social science data structures

Quantitative research methods

Knowledge of statistical programs (Python, R, Stata)

Knowledge of data protection regulations

German and English communication skills

Ausbildung

Bachelor's degree in social sciences or data science

Jobbeschreibung

GESIS – Leibniz-Institute for the Social Sciences is an internationally active research institute, funded by federal and state governments and member of the Leibniz Association. For the next possible date, our Department Data Services for the Social Sciences, Team Data Acquisitions and Access located in Cologne, is looking for an Associate in Trusted Research Environments (Salary group 11 TV-L, working time 39,5 h/week, unlimited contract).

The department Data Services for the Social Sciences offers sustainable infrastructures and services for data management, curation, and long-term preservation. Its mission is to foster FAIR data, open science, and reproducible research in the quantitative and computational social sciences. This includes archiving services with different curation levels for individual researchers, projects, and institutions, providing access to archived data, including access to sensitive data, the data registration agency da|ra, and data management trainings.

We also operate the GESIS Secure Data Center, our Trusted Research Environment responsible for providing access to sensitive research data in the social sciences. The Secure Data Center provides access to a range of disclosive research data that is subject to special access requirements and restrictions, e.g., for reasons of data sensitivity. The Secure Data Center team also provides advice on research data protection and statistical disclosure control.

Your profile

• A completed University degree (at least Bachelor’s degree), for example in social sciences or data science
• Excellent knowledge of social science data structures and formats, especially survey data. Knowledge in emerging data types in the field of digital behavioral data or linked data (or the ability to acquire such knowledge as part of the role) are beneficial
• Good knowledge of quantitative research methods in the social sciences, and statistical programs for handling them (e.g., Python, R, and Stata)
• In-depth knowledge of relevant data protection regulations
• Very good knowledge of German and English in both verbal and written communication

Our Benefits

• A fast growing, international and interdisciplinary working environment with strong ties to regional and international labs and experts in related fields
• Interdisciplinary team and diverse opportunities for networking and further qualification
• Flexible working hours and regulations for mobile working
• Very good conditions for reconciling work and family life, e.g. subsidies for childcare for children who have not yet attained the age of compulsory schooling
• Holistic company health management and discounted participation in the university's sports programme
• Generous support for your pension provision as a direct insurance policy
• Promotion of your skills through further training measures

Contact

For further information concerning the tasks please contact Dr. Olivier Rouquette via phone [phone]or via E-Mail ([e-mail]). If you have questions about the application process, please contact Ms. Franca Tosetti via E-Mail ([e-mail]).

Interested?

Please apply via our Online-application portal until 09.02.2026. Our reference number is: DSS-25

Your tasks will be:

• Coordinating and administratively reviewing data access requests for the Secure Data Center and informing researchers about access procedures
• Setting up Trusted Research Environment access for approved projects, provisioning datasets and coordinating with data providers as needed
• Administering secure research environments, configuring project environments, providing approved software and packages (e.g. R, Python), managing user access, and supporting secure data delivery
• Coordinating access to restricted studies outside secure environments, liaising with external data providers and supporting secure data delivery
• Supporting and advising researchers on secure data use, through onboarding, workflow guidance, and analysis support in secure environments