Data Steward

Helmholtz-Zentrum hereon GmbH; Teltow; On-site; EUR 52,000 - 76,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

6 weeks holiday per year

Mobile & flexible working

Public transport subsidy

Childcare options

Job summary

Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon GmbH is seeking a data steward for the Institute of Functional Materials for Sustainability. The role focuses on data quality, standards, and governance to support scientists and institute-wide digitization efforts.

You will contribute to ELN/LIMS implementations and data management plans, enabling compliant, reusable research data across projects and collaborations.

Qualifications

• Degree in computer science or a natural science with CS knowledge.
• Experience in data management in a laboratory environment.
• Knowledge of data structures, metadata and FAIR principles.
• Experience with ELN/LIMS or similar systems is a plus.
• Experience preparing data management plans (DMPs) per funder requirements.
• Understanding of FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable).
• Participation in working groups within research institutes is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Ensure data quality, consistency, timeliness and completeness.
• Define and maintain data standards, metadata, and ontologies.
• Support users with structured data entry (scientists).
• Support governance issues (access rights, audit trails, GxP).
• Improve ELN workflows by digitizing legacy lab processes.
• Assist in implementing data governance and compliance requirements.
• Train users and promote data literacy.

Skills

Data management

ELN/LIMS

FAIR principles

Metadata

Data governance

DMPs

Scientist communication

Education

CS degree or natural sciences with CS

Tools

ELN

LIMS

Databases

Job description

For the Institute of Functional Materials for Sustainability, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, we are looking as soon as possible for a data steward. 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 would therefore strongly encourage qualified women to apply for the position.

Your tasks

• ensure data quality, consistency, timeliness and completeness
• define and maintain data standards, metadata, and ontologies
• support users (e.g. scientists) with structured data entry
• supporting governance issues (access rights, audit trails, GxP, etc.)
• improve ELN workflows (analyze and optimize paper-based or legacy lab workflows into digital formats)
• support of the institute in the introduction of the ELN
• train and empower users
• support in the implementation of data governance and compliance requirements
• identify, analyze, and remediate data quality issues
• collaboration in migration and digitization projects

Your profile

Professional:

• a degree in computer science with understanding of scientific work in natural sciences, or a degree in the 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 (APls are an advantage)
• experience in data modelling 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 independent and proactive
• 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

Our offer

• an exciting and varied job in a research centre with around 1,000 employees from more than 60 nations
• an International Welcome Office with guest accommodation
• 6 weeks 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 programmes, e.g. an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• corporate benefits

Schwerbehinderte und diesen gleichgestellte behinderte Personen werden bei gleicher Qualifikation und Eignung im Rahmen der gesetzlichen Bestimmungen bevorzugt berücksichtigt.