Database- and Application Engineer - NODE

KNAW (Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen); Wageningen; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

NIOO-KNAW in Wageningen invites you to join the NODE programme as an application and database developer and administrator. You will design, build, and maintain sustainable data infrastructure by creating relational databases for ecological research, managing metadata, and supporting Open Science through robust, scalable systems.

You will work on the GRIEL web application (C#) backed by a Microsoft SQL Server database, migrate towards an open-source platform, and collaborate with partners and

Qualifications

• Relevant HBO or university degree.
• Some experience in a similar role.
• Proven experience with all standard Microsoft Office applications.
• Knowledge of more than one programming language is advantageous.
• Strong communication skills.
• Full professional proficiency in English.
• Full proficiency in Dutch would be a bonus.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain relational databases for ecological research within the NODE programme.
• Manage the GRIEL C# application backed by a Microsoft SQL database; export bird ringing and recovery data.
• Contribute to long-term migration to a modern open-source platform in collaboration with partners and developers.

Skills

English language proficiency

Team collaboration

Open-source mindset

Reading GRIEL codebase

Education

HBO or university degree

Tools

Microsoft SQL Server

C#

Git

Job description

Do you have experience in database engineering, and would you enjoy working in a vibrant, internationally-oriented ecological research institute? Then we’re looking for you!

What will you be doing?

You will help design, build, and maintain sustainable long-term data infrastructure by developing relational databases for ecological research within the NODE (NIOO Open Data for Ecology) programme. Key responsibilities include database architecture, data harmonization, metadata design, and supporting Open Science initiatives through robust, scalable data systems.

Apart from helping design new databases you will work as an application and database administrator in the ‘Vogeltrekstation’ team that will be rebuilt within the NODE project. Managing the web application ‘GRIEL’, a C# based application backed by a Microsoft SQL database, is part of this project timeline. Through this application, users manage and export bird ringing and recovery data.

You will maintain and update the application and its database, while contributing to a long-term migration of the system to a modern open-source platform in collaboration with multiple partners and developers.

What will you be contributing?

You combine experience in developing and administrating relational databases in several SQL-dialects. You are also capable of reading the GRIEL C# code-base and applying small bug fixes where needed. You are used to working in a team and are able to translate the needs of researchers into actionable database solutions. You adhere to open-source programming and are used to work with version control software, such as Git. As an application and database developer and administrator, you have demonstrable knowledge of Microsoft SQL Server databases and are able to build and execute queries independently. You have experience in working in C# or a similar programming language.

Furthermore, you have:

• A relevant qualification at at least a higher professional education (HBO) level or a relevant university degree
• Some experience in a similar role
• Proven experience with all standard Microsoft Office applications
• Knowledge of more than one programming language works to your advantage
• Strong communication skills
• Full Professional Proficiency in English
• Full Proficiency in the Dutch language would qualify as a bonus

What are we offering?

This is a full-time position on a fixed-term contract for a period of three years. The start date is to be agreed. There is a two-month probationary period.

Working at NIOO-KNAW

The Research Support Office is your formal team, a central position in the NIOO with strong data management focus. You will work closely with the Data Steward of NIOO and the Head of Research Support Office. Practically, you will spend a large part of your time working with Vogeltrekstation.

Vogeltrekstation is one of the Research Infrastructures at NIOO-KNAW aimed at collecting, curating, and exchanging data on ringed birds in the Netherlands in order to generate knowledge for science, policy and conservation. Vogeltrekstation manages a network of over 500 volunteer and professional bird ringers and works closely with similar organisations across Europe. The small and dynamic team of four permanent staff is led by the Animal Ecology department of the NIOO-KNAW.