Research Software Developer / Information Engineer

Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres; Deutschland; Híbrido; EUR 56.000 - 78.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

30 days vacation

Flexible working time models

Company pension scheme

Welcome Days and Welcome Guide

Career development support

International advisory service

Descripción de la vacante

Forschungszentrum Jülich’s IAS MIS team seeks a Research Software Developer / Information Engineer to extend and operate the Helmholtz Knowledge Graph and related infrastructure. You will collaborate with software developers, data scientists and metadata engineers to improve data management and semantic services.

You will build pipelines, curate APIs, and implement quality checks while engaging with partners across Helmholtz.

Formación

• Master’s degree or equivalent in computer science, data science, information engineering or a related field; a doctorate is welcome but not required.
• Strong programming skills in Python and a willingness to develop software towards high levels of maturity, maintainability and operational reliability.
• Experience with metadata and information systems and relevant standards such as Schema.org, DCAT, Dublin Core or OAI-DC.
• An analytical and solution-oriented mindset, with an interest in semantic technologies, knowledge graphs, data pipelines, APIs and research data infrastructures, and the willingness to learn new technologies and methods as required.
• Experience working in larger-scale research collaborations, consortia or other multi-partner initiatives, with strong communication and organisational skills across boundaries.
• Knowledge of technologies used in the HKG infrastructure, such as Next.js/TypeScript, Apache Airflow, QLever, Virtuoso or Solr/OpenSearch.
• Very good command of written and spoken English with extensive vocabulary (at least B2 level).

Responsabilidades

• Developing and operating new features and services for the Helmholtz Knowledge Graph (HKG) from concept through implementation and deployment.
• Building metadata quality assessment and improvement workflows, including automated checks, validation, data processing and semi-automatic curation.
• Set up data pipelines, extend semantic data models and curate APIs to integrate heterogeneous metadata and information assets.
• Exploring interfaces, APIs and supporting tools to connect the HKG with research data and scientific services.
• Investigating open technical questions, analysing requirements and turning solutions into working infrastructure.
• Working with data providers and research infrastructures to understand requirements and incorporate community needs.
• Coordinating activities within collaborations, organizing technical meetings and workshops, and communicating with partners across Helmholtz.

Conocimientos

Python

Metadata systems

Big-picture thinking

Communication

English proficiency

Project coordination

Knowledge of semantic technologies

Team collaboration

Educación

Master’s degree in CS/Data Science/Information Engineering

Herramientas

Next.js/TypeScript

Apache Airflow

QLever

Virtuoso

Solr/OpenSearch

Descripción del empleo

Organisation/Company Forschungszentrum Jülich Research Field All Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Established Researcher (R3) Application Deadline 31 Jan 2027 - 16:37 (UTC) Country Germany Type of Contract To be defined Job Status Other Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Area of research:

Scientific / postdoctoral posts

Job description:Research Software Developer / Information Engineer

At the Institute for Advanced Simulation - Materials Data Science and Informatics (IAS-9) at Forschungszentrum Jülich, the Metadata and Information Systems (MIS) team works at the intersection of scientific data management, research software engineering and semantic technologies. We develop information systems that make scientific data and information more usable, connected and accessible. A central part of this work is the Helmholtz Knowledge Graph (HKG), which connects metadata from research infrastructures across the Helmholtz Association.

Our goal goes beyond building another research software system. We want to contribute to changing how scientific information infrastructures work — and ultimately how researchers share and use scientific data. We believe that lasting changes in scientific practice require infrastructure that connects currently isolated systems and makes better data and metadata practices easier and more valuable. The HKG is now moving from a research prototype towards a professionally operated and sustainable infrastructure. This creates an opportunity to shape its future while tackling problems for which there are no off-the-shelf solutions. We are looking for someone who wants to contribute to this journey and help build infrastructure with a lasting impact on how science is conducted.

Your Job

You will work in a highly interdisciplinary team of software developers, data scientists, and metadata engineers. Your work will focus on extending and improving the Helmholtz Knowledge Graph and its surrounding infrastructure. This includes:

• Developing and operating new features and services for the Helmholtz Knowledge Graph (HKG), from concept through reliable implementation and deployment.
• Building metadata quality assessment and improvement workflows, including automated checks, validation, data processing and semi-automatic curation.
• Set up data pipelines, extend semantic data models and curate APIs to integrate heterogeneous metadata and information assets.
• Exploring new ways of connecting the HKG with research data and scientific services, including interfaces, APIs and supporting tools.
• Investigating open technical questions, analysing requirements, evaluating possible approaches and turning agreed solutions into working infrastructure.
• Working with data providers, research infrastructures and working groups in Helmholtz and beyond to understand requirements and incorporate community needs into technical development.
• Supporting coordination activities within larger collaborations, including organising technical meetings and workshops, contributing to work package planning and coordination, and communicating with partners across Helmholtz and beyond.

Your Profile

We are looking for someone who enjoys tackling challenging problems and turning ideas into reliable research infrastructure. You work well collaboratively, communicate technical ideas clearly, and are comfortable contributing to both implementation decisions and longer-term development directions. Ideally, you bring:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in computer science, data science, information engineering or a related field; a doctorate is welcome but not required.
• Strong programming skills in Python and a willingness to develop software towards high levels of maturity, maintainability and operational reliability.
• Experience with, or a strong interest in, metadata and information systems and relevant standards such as Schema.org, DCAT, Dublin Core or OAI-DC.
• An analytical and solution-oriented mindset, with an interest in semantic technologies, knowledge graphs, data pipelines, APIs and research data infrastructures, and the willingness to learn new technologies and methods as required.
• Experience working in larger-scale research collaborations, consortia or other multi-partner initiatives, combined with strong communication and organisational skills for coordinating activities, meetings, workshops or work packages across organisational boundaries.
• Knowledge of technologies used in the HKG infrastructure, such as Next.js/TypeScript, Apache Airflow, QLever, Virtuoso or Solr/OpenSearch, is beneficial.
• Very good command of written and spoken English with extensive vocabulary is required (at least B2 level according to the CEFR

), ideally supported by a certificate confirming the language level

Our Benefits for You

• Meaningful tasks: Secure employment in an international, multidisciplinary environment combining software engineering, information science, and domain research with diverse academic and professional backgrounds.
• A creative work environment: A leading research facility, located on an attractive research campus at the TZA Aachen
• Work-life balance: Optimal conditions for balancing work and private life, as well as a family-friendly company policy. The option of flexible working (in terms of location) is generally available after consultation and in line with upcoming tasks and (on-site) appointments
• Vacation: You will receive 30 days of vacation (depending on the chosen working time model) plus additional days off (e.g. between Christmas and New Year's)
• Flexibility: Flexible working time models, including options close to full-time

, allow you to tailor your working hours to suit your individual needs

• Knowledge & further training: Your professional development is important to us – we provide targeted, individual support: Access to comprehensive training programs and individual opportunities for professional development.
• Successful start: It is important to us that you quickly settle into the team and are given structured training for your tasks. We also support you from the very beginning and make your start easier with our Welcome Days and Welcome Guide
• Fair remuneration: Depending on your existing qualifications and the tasks assigned to you, you will be classified in pay grade 13 of the TVöD-Bund (Collective Agreement for the Public Service). All information on the TVöD-Bund collective agreement can be found on theBMI website

. The monthly salaries in euros can be found on page 74 of the PDF download

• Additional benefits: Benefit from attractive additional services such as a company pension scheme with employer contribution. In addition to the basic salary, there is an additional year-end bonus under the collective pay agreement amounting to 75% of a monthly salary, as well as capital-forming benefits
• Fixed-term: The position is limited to 2 years
• Support for international employees: Our International Advisory Service makes it easier for international employees to get started
• Career Center: You will receive explicit support with regard to your career development opportunities

In addition to exciting tasks and a collegial working environment, we offer you much more:

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.

The following links provide further information on diversity and equal opportunities:

Start Date: To the next possible date

Application Deadline: The job will be advertised until the position has been successfully filled.

Index number: 2026T-0815

This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.