Principal Research Data Architect

Zealand Pharma; Denmark; Remote; DKK 1,100,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Job summary

Zealand Pharma in Denmark seeks a Principal Research Data Architect to own and evolve the research data foundation, from architecture to operation, aligned with AI and analytics needs.

You will lead a cross-functional team, design semantic layers, govern data quality and metadata, migrate legacy data, and partner with AI/ML and computational chemistry to deliver a scalable, FAIR data platform.

Qualifications

• Senior data architect with extensive research data experience.
• Experience with a scientific data platform and URS/FRS requirements.
• Strong knowledge of ontologies, vocabularies and FAIR data management.
• Familiar with cloud lakehouse platforms and data pipelines.
• Proven ability to lead across vendors and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead the team building Zealand Pharma's research data foundation.
• Own the data model and govern URS/FRS with partners and IT.
• Oversee migration of legacy assay data to the new base.
• Develop semantic layer by adapting ontologies and vocabularies.
• Architect the research data lake and knowledge graphs.
• Partner with AI/ML and computational chemistry teams.

Skills

Scientific data architecture

URS/FRS requirements

Semantic technologies

Data governance

Cloud lakehouse

Team leadership

Tools

Benchling

LIMS/ELN

Databricks

Knowledge graphs

Job description

**Principal Research Data Architect**Does it excite you to design the data foundation that powers AI-driven drug discovery, and do you have deep experience turning fragmented scientific data into a governed, connected, reusable asset? If this sounds like you, and you are ready to take on a broad area of responsibilities, then you could be our new colleague.**Your new position**This is a foundational role for the data-driven future of Zealand Pharma. You will lead the team that builds, operates, and owns our research data foundation — the governed, semantically-consistent data source that turns assay results, compound data and computed properties into a platform ready for analysis, machine learning and agentic workflows. You will set the vision and lead delivery across our legacy systems and cloud data platforms, partnering with research and IT, who own the underlying tech stack and data ingestion. You will start with shared accountability alongside our data management and IT leads and grow into end-to-end ownership of the ecosystem as it matures. It is a rare mandate to shape a research data ecosystem from architecture through operation.*We offer exciting responsibilities:** Own the research data model - capturing scientific requirements as URS/FRS, directing configuration of new workflows with architecting new platforms working with implementation partners, and extending the model to new assay types* Co-lead the migration of legacy assay data into the future foundation, jointly accountable with our data management and IT leads* Build the semantic layer for Zealand Pharma - adapting public ontologies and legacy controlled vocabularies into a governed vocabulary served across research, taking an adopt-and-extend approach rather than reinventing standards* Own research data governance - data quality, lineage, metadata and reference data - as the trustworthy foundation for every downstream use* Architect the research data lake and tactical knowledge graphs, delivering a \"Zealand research context\" as a substrate for analytics and AI* Partner with our AI/ML, computational chemistry and agentic-workflow leads as their data source supplier, and ensure governed data flows cleanly into analysis and visualization layers**Your profile**You are a senior data architect who is equally comfortable in a scientific requirements workshop and in a platform design review. You think in standards and systems but are pragmatic about delivery, you set a clear vision and bring people with you, and you are motivated by building foundations others will rely on for years. You lead both directly and through influence and expertise, and you are energized rather than daunted by an ecosystem mid-migration.* Extensive experience designing research or scientific data architectures, ideally in drug discovery or life sciences* Hands-on experience with a scientific data platform (Benchling or comparable LIMS/ELN) and with requirements engineering (URS/FRS)* Strong grounding in semantic technologies - ontologies, controlled vocabularies, knowledge graphs and F.A.I.R. / ontology-based data management* Experience with cloud lakehouse platforms (Databricks or equivalent) and data pipelines feeding analytics and AI/ML* Demonstrated ownership of data governance - metadata, lineage, and reference/master data* Proven ability to lead a team, set architecture direction, and drive delivery across vendors and cross-functional stakeholders; familiarity with peptide or biologics data is an advantage**Your new team**You will join the Research AI and Computational Sciences team within Discovery Research, at the heart of Zealand Pharma's ambition to combine peptide R&D expertise with a proprietary, AI/ML-driven data platform. You will work daily with research scientists, IT, computational chemistry and our AI/ML function, and you will hold a mandate that grows over time into full accountability for Zealand Pharma's research data foundation.**Let's bond and be bold**We have a unique culture, characterized by excellent teamwork and strong engagement across the organization. And we want you to help us strengthen this culture.Making bonds is at the core of everything we do. From discovering and developing the best new peptide drugs for patients, to engaging with our partners or connecting with each other. We bond through curiosity and playfulness as a team, allowing ourselves to challenge common thinking and drive future innovation. Join us and let's bond and be bold.Interested in bonding with us? Then please apply no later than 30th of September 2026 or as soon as possible. The applications will be reviewed as they come in. While a cover letter is not required, please include a few sentences in your CV explaining your motivation for applying.For further information, please contact **Vice President Research AI and Computational Sciences**, **Dipen Sangurdekar** at [e-mail] are committed to an inclusive recruitment process and welcome applications from all job applicants.