Data Steward (m/f/x)

Ruhr University Bochum; Bochum; On-site; EUR 30,000 - 42,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Arbeitszeiten

Kinderbetreuung

Aus- und Weiterbildung

Mobiles Arbeiten/Telearbeit

Job summary

Die Ruhr-Universität Bochum sucht eine/n Data Steward (m/w/x) zur Koordination der Forschungsdatenverwaltung im CRC 1844. Die Stelle ist 50% Teilzeit mit befristeter Laufzeit bis 31.12.2030 und Start voraussichtlich 01.01.2027.

Sie beraten Subprojekte, entwickeln RDM-Strategien, Standards und Best Practices und fördern eine nachhaltige RDM-Kultur im Konsortium. Englischkenntnisse sind erforderlich, Deutschkenntnisse von Vorteil.

Qualifications

• Master-Abschluss in Computational Neuroscience, Psychologie, Physik, Informatik oder einem verwandten Feld.
• Erfahrung in RDM, vorzugsweise in Neurowissenschaften oder Psychologie.
• Ausgeprägte analytische und organisatorische Fähigkeiten; selbstständige Arbeitsweise.

Responsibilities

• Proaktiv auf die CRC-Teilprojekte zugehen, RDM-Bedarf erkennen und Beratung bieten.
• Bestehende Datenmanagement-Workflows erfassen, analysieren und Harmonisierungspotenziale identifizieren.
• RDM-Strategien entwickeln und deren Umsetzung in Abstimmung mit der RUB-Infrastruktur betreiben.
• RDM-Richtlinien, Standards und Best Practices in Zusammenarbeit mit Forschern erstellen und deren Anwendung koordinieren.
• Datenqualitätssicherungskonzepte entwerfen und in Zusammenarbeit mit Forschern implementieren.
• FAIR-Grundsätze umsetzen und Forscher bei Dokumentation, Metadaten, Speicherung, Teilen und Langzeitarchivierung unterstützen.
• Forscher zu DMP, rechtlichen/ethischen Vorgaben, Datenschutz und Lizenzierung beraten.
• Disziplin-spezifische RDM-Schulungen, Workshops und Materialien entwickeln.

Skills

RDM

Analytische Fähigkeiten

Eigenständiges Arbeiten

Open Science

Englisch

Deutsch

Teamarbeit

Multidisziplinäres Arbeiten

Metadaten-Standards

Education

Master-Abschluss

Tools

DMP-Tools

RDM-Infrastruktur

RDM-Richtlinien

Job description

Faculty of Computer Science: CRC 1844 Prof. Dr. Sen Cheng.

In order to fill a fixed-term position in part-time (19.915 hours/week = 50%) from 01.01.2027, pending funding approval we are looking for 1.

Data Steward (m/f/x)

The Collaborative Research Center “Episodic Memory” (CRC 1844) is an interdisciplinary research consortium bringing together researchers from psychology, computational neuroscience, philosophy, and neuroscience. It comprises 18 subprojects led by 22 principal investigators across six universities and is coordinated at Ruhr University Bochum (RUB). The consortium will generate and manage a diverse range of research data, including neuroimaging, EEG, behavioral, and text data, with electrophysiological recording data to be added at a later stage.

We are seeking a Data Steward to coordinate and further develop research data management (RDM) within CRC 1844. As the central point of contact for RDM, the Data Steward will advise and support the CRC’s subprojects, develop and implement RDM strategies, standards, and best practices, and promote a sustainable RDM culture across the consortium. The Data Steward will work closely with researchers at the German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), the central RDM support services at RUB, and relevant national and international RDM initiatives.

• Scope: part-time
• Duration: fixed-term, 31.12.2030 (end of project)
• Start: from 01.01.2027, pending funding approval
• Apply by: 2026-11-09

Your tasks:

• Proactively engage with the CRC’s subprojects to identify their RDM needs and provide tailored advice and practical support throughout the research data lifecycle.
• Document and analyze existing data management workflows and practices, and identify opportunities for their optimization, harmonization, and standardization across the consortium.
• Develop and implement RDM strategies that align the specific requirements and workflows of CRC 1844 with the university’s central RDM infrastructure and services.
• Develop RDM guidelines, standards, and best practices in collaboration with researchers and coordinate their adoption within the relevant CRC committees.
• Develop concepts and procedures for research data quality assurance and implement them in close collaboration with the researchers.
• Promote the implementation of FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) and support researchers in the appropriate documentation, metadata management, storage, sharing, publication, and long-term preservation of research data.
• Advise researchers on data management plans, relevant legal and ethical requirements, data protection, licensing, and the responsible sharing and reuse of research data, in collaboration with the data protection officers.
• Design and deliver discipline-specific RDM training, workshops, and guidance materials tailored to the needs of researchers within the CRC, thereby promoting a sustainable RDM culture.
• Connect the CRC’s RDM activities with relevant institutional, national, and international RDM infrastructures, projects, standards, and initiatives, and represent CRC 1844 at relevant conferences, workshops, and networking events.

Your profile:

• A master’s degree or equivalent in computational neuroscience, psychology, physics, computer science, or a related field.
• Experience in RDM or other relevant professional experience, preferably in neuroscience or psychology.
• Strong analytical and conceptual skills, with the ability to understand complex systems, processes, and research workflows.
• Ability to work independently, proactively, and in a well-organized manner.
• Strong interest in and commitment to RDM, Open Science, and the FAIR data principles.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent command of English and good working knowledge of German.
• Strong teamwork skills and enthusiasm for working in a multidisciplinary and international research environment.
• Knowledge of relevant metadata standards, data management plan (DMP) tools, RDM guidelines, and research data infrastructures is an advantage.

We offer:

• Challenging and varied tasks with a high level of independence.
• Options for flexible working (mobile working and teleworking).
• Collaboration in a committed and appreciative team.
• Support in combining family life and work (including childcare arrangements/holiday offers/mobile playroom).
• Extensive training and professional development opportunities.

The CRC will be housed at the new research building THINK in Bochum, which is not only equipped with cutting edge technology, but also houses a childcare area (which includes, e.g., an outside play area, bedroom), parent child offices, common rooms to foster networking, etc.

We are committed to providing a supportive work environment for female researchers and those with young children. Our university provides mentoring and coaching opportunities specifically aimed at women in research. We have a strong research network with female role models and will provide opportunities to meet with them. Wherever possible, events will be scheduled during regular childcare hours. Special childcare can be arranged if events must be scheduled outside of regular hours, in case of sickness and during school or daycare closures. Where childcare is not an option, parents will be offered a home office solution. We strongly encourage applications from qualified women and persons with disabilities.

Further information:

The position is salaried and based on the collective agreement of the Länder (TV-L). If the personal and collective agreement requirements are met, the employee will receive pay grade E13 TV-L.

Further information can be found at https://oeffentlicher-dienst.info/ (in German).

The place of work is Ruhr University Bochum.

If the position is funded by third-party funds the employee has no teaching obligation.

The Ruhr-Universität Bochum is one of Germany’s leading research universities, addressing the whole range of academic disciplines. A highly dynamic setting enables researchers and students to work across the traditional boundaries of academic subjects and faculties. To create knowledge networks within and beyond the university is Ruhr-Universität Bochum’s declared aim.

The Ruhr-Universität Bochum stands for diversity and equal opportunities. For this reason, we favour a working environment composed of heterogeneous teams, and seek to promote the careers of individuals who are underrepresented in our respective professional areas. The Ruhr-Universität Bochum expressly requests job applications from women. In areas in which they are underrepresented they will be given preference in the case of equivalent qualifications with male candidates. Applications from individuals with disabilities are most welcome.

Contact persons for further information:

Dr. Nicolas Diekmann [e-mail]

Travel costs, accommodation costs and loss of earnings or other application costs for job interviews can unfortunately not be reimbursed.

The Staff Council has the right to participate in all selection interviews. At the request of a candidate (m/f/x), it will ensure its participation in the entire procedure. Please contact [e-mail].

German language courses are offered by the University Language Center (ZFA) in the field of German as a Foreign Language (DaF). https://www.daf.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/daf/mitarbeitende/index.html.en