Internal link Data Steward

Qabird; Leiden; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

8% holiday allowance

30 vacation days

Annual performance bonus

Stock options

Premium‑free pension plan

Commuting allowance

Subsidised staff restaurant

Unlimited snacks and drinks

Job summary

ProQR Therapeutics in Leiden (on-site) is seeking a Data Steward to own scientific data governance across R&D. You will oversee ELN/LIMS data, metadata standards, and data lifecycle, ensuring FAIR data principles and compliance with GDPR, while collaborating with Research, Bioinformatics, IT, Quality and external partners.

As a data steward, you will enable data-driven decision making, maintain data catalogues, workflows, and provide training on data standards, embedding continuous improvement

Qualifications

• Experience in scientific data management, data stewardship, or similar roles.
• Hands-on experience with ELNs and LIMS within regulated R&D environments.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams (Research, IT, QA, external partners).
• Strong understanding of data governance, metadata management, and data lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Own and continuously improve ELN and scientific data management platforms as primary business owner.
• Establish and maintain scientific data governance, metadata standards, naming conventions, and documentation.
• Collaborate with researchers and system admins to ensure data are captured, organized, traceable and reusable under FAIR principles.
• Maintain inventory and catalogue of datasets and metadata across the organization.
• Monitor data quality and implement improvements to keep high-quality datasets.
• Develop and maintain the scientific data lifecycle, including cataloguing, retention, archiving, storage and retrieval.
• Ensure integration and traceability between ELN and systems like LIMS, repositories, SharePoint, and cloud platforms.
• Configure workflows and data structures with IT and vendors to support scientific operations.
• Support GDPR/privacy compliance and data governance policies.
• Assist in creating reports, dashboards and data visualisations for decision-making.
• Train end users on data standards and data management systems, contributing to new technologies evaluation.

Skills

Data governance

FAIR data principles

SQL

Python/R

Cloud storage

Stakeholder management

Data privacy (GDPR)

Education

BSc or MSc in Life Sciences or related

Tools

ELN/LIMS platforms

Benchling

LabKey

Dotmatics

SciNote

SharePoint

AWS/Azure

Job description

ProQR Therapeutics is a NASDAQ-listed biotechnology company headquartered in Leiden, the Netherlands with an office in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.

At ProQR, we are on a mission to edit RNA, treat disease and change lives. A team of 180+ enthusiastic ProQRians from all walks of life and more than 30 different nationalities is committed to pioneering transformative RNA therapies to make a difference in the lives of the communities we serve.

Our proprietary Axiomer™ RNA editing technology platform enables the editing of specific single nucleotides in RNA using the cell's own editing machinery. Axiomer RNA editing technology harnesses ADAR (Adenosine Deaminase Acting on RNA), a protein that is present in all human cells, to repair G-to-A mutations, modulate protein, and enable protective mutation functions. Axiomer could potentially yield a new class of innovative medicines and treat currently untreatable diseases. By harnessing the power of RNA editing, we aim to create a world where genetics inform your health - but never limit it.

We are currently looking for a Data Steward (full-time) to join our team in Leiden (on-site).

Job Scope

As Data Steward, you will play a key role in ensuring that scientific data generated across Research & Development is structured, reliable, accessible, and reusable. You will act as the business owner for scientific data management practices and systems, supporting researchers and cross‑functional teams in adopting high‑quality data standards throughout the data lifecycle.

Working closely with Research, Bioinformatics, IT, Quality, Clinical Development, and external partners, you will contribute to the development and continuous improvement of scientific data governance, enabling efficient collaboration and data‑driven decision‑making across the organization.

You will serve as the subject matter expert on scientific data stewardship, promoting FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data principles, metadata standards, and best practices through guidance, training, and process improvement. The role requires a high degree of autonomy, collaboration, and a continuous improvement mindset.

Key stakeholders: Research teams, Scientific Project Leads, Team Managers, Bioinformatics, IT, Quality, Clinical Development, system administrators, and external vendors.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and continuously improve ProQR's Electronic Laboratory Notebook (ELN) and scientific data management platforms, acting as the primary business owner.
• Establish and maintain scientific data governance, including metadata standards, controlled vocabularies, naming conventions, and documentation best practices.
• Collaborate with researchers, bioinformaticians, and system administrators to ensure scientific data are consistently captured, organized, traceable, and reusable across projects, departments, and systems in line with FAIR data principles.
• Maintain a comprehensive inventory and catalogue of scientific datasets and associated metadata across the organization.
• Monitor data quality, completeness, and consistency, implementing improvements to maintain high‑quality scientific datasets throughout their lifecycle.
• Develop and maintain the scientific data lifecycle, including data cataloguing, retention, archiving, storage, and retrieval strategies.
• Ensure seamless integration and traceability between the ELN and connected systems such as LIMS, data repositories, SharePoint, and cloud platforms.
• Work with IT and vendors to configure workflows, templates, integrations, and data structures that support scientific operations.
• Support compliance with internal data governance policies and applicable regulations, including data privacy and GDPR requirements.
• Support the development of reports, dashboards, and data visualisations that enable data‑driven scientific decision‑making.
• Train and support end users on data standards, documentation practices, and scientific data management systems while contributing to the evaluation and implementation of new technologies.

Education and Experience Required

• BSc or MSc in Bioinformatics, Data Science, Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Computer Science, Information Management, or a related field.
• At least 3 years of experience in scientific data management, data stewardship, laboratory informatics, or a similar role.
• Experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, life sciences, or another regulated R&D environment is preferred.
• Hands‑on experience with scientific data management platforms such as ELNs and LIMS (Benchling, LabKey, Dotmatics, SciNote, or similar systems).
• Experience working with cross‑functional teams, including Research, Bioinformatics, IT, Quality, and external partners.

Knowledge & Skills Required

• Strong understanding of scientific data governance, metadata management, data quality, and data lifecycle management.
• Knowledge of FAIR data principles and scientific data standards.
• Familiarity with GDPR and data privacy requirements in scientific research environments.
• Experience with databases and SQL; knowledge of Python, R, or other data processing tools is an advantage.
• Familiarity with cloud‑based data storage and data architectures (e.g., AWS or Azure).
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to diverse audiences.

ProQR as an Employer

As an employer, we value a diverse workforce in which people are encouraged to develop themselves both personally and professionally. We believe that when people are happy, energized and supported by an environment in which they can thrive, they can achieve extraordinary things.

We are committed to ensuring that no employee, candidate, or job applicant receives less favorable treatment on the grounds of race, age, disability, pregnancy, religion, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership status. At ProQR we want to create an inclusive culture where everyone can be valued for who they are and in which individual differences and contributions in all forms are recognised and valued.

We offer an exciting and innovative working environment in a very committed organisation, with the following benefits:

• 8% holiday allowance
• 30 vacation days
• An annual performance bonus
• Stock options
• A premium‑free pension plan
• A commuting allowance
• A subsidised staff restaurant
• Unlimited (un)healthy snacks and drinks
• Employee events (boot camp, Coffee and Collaboration Café and other social events)

We are looking for people who are inspired by our mission to edit RNA, treat disease and change lives. Are you up for the challenge?

Please contact Silvia Catellani at [e-mail] if you have any questions.