Digitalization and FAIR data management are becoming increasingly important in research. The Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE), in collaboration with the Digital Competence Center (DCC) of the University of Groningen, is therefore looking for research data support (a data steward) for the Stratingh Institute for Chemistry.

The Digital Competence Centre is a collaboration of the University Library (UB) and the Centre for Information Technology (CIT) and aims to be the one stop support centre for research IT and data. The DCC functions as a front office, a network and a training centre for all researchers and research supporters of the UG. The DCC supports research centrally, but decentrally as well, with data stewards who frequently visit the faculties and research institutes.

As a data engineer you work for both the DCC within the Center for Information Technology (CIT) (0.2 FTE) and a research institute at the Faculty of Science and Engineering (0.6 to 0.8 FTE). Formally you will be positioned at the CIT/DCC and seconded to FSE for 0.6 to 0.8 FTE.

You support the implementation of the research data management policies of the institute by advising and applying the preferred methods and tooling of the UG. The full integration and linking between different data management and storage solutions is one of the main goals.

You are the linking pin between the research groups of the institute, the Digital Competence Centre and other colleagues at the CIT.

You are part of and contribute to the success of the research groups within the research institute by working on three important aspects:

1. You ensure the use of secure IT practices and solutions as a main target of your work. You do so by understanding the needs of the research groups and finding and applying fitting IT-solutions of the CIT
2. You implement secure solutions to allow access and analysis of research data from locations outside the lab. This can be on site, a home office, or any other location where you can have a safe connection
3. You support the use of digital lab journals and help to store, archive and retrieve research data on the iRODS based storage system of the UG.

This involves a newly created type of position. This gives space and freedom to organize and to give shape to this position. Several new data management tools are being adopted, but further implementation is encouraged and in some cases required.

Initial training in the preferred tools and methods (default and custom IT solutions) is provided from within the CIT.

● academic thinking and working skills
● experience/strong affinity with IT and a keen eye for the importance of IT security
● experience/affinity with either physics, biology and/or chemistry research practice and laboratory experiments is considered a plus
● you can work independently, and have the organizational skills to make proposals, advise the management and convince involved parties
● you have strong communication skills and a proactive mindset to solve the issues researchers face when collecting and managing research data.
● you are a proactive organizer with creative ideas with the drive to improve data management.
● programming skills are a pre but more important is the skill of recognizing where programming can be applied in order to improve data management and translate the needs to the programmer
● knowledge of applicable legislation regarding data management and FAIR research data management is considered a plus
● fluency in English and preferably in Dutch, both written and spoken.

Fixed-term contract: 12 months.

We offer in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:

● a salary of a maximum of € 4,474 gross per month (salary scale 10) for a full-time position, depending on qualifications and experience
● a holiday allowance of 8% and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3% of your gross annual income
● a temporary employment contract for the duration of one year with the possibility of an extension
● attractive fringe benefits such as the Employee Benefits Choice Model and a good pension and leave plan.

Center for Information Technology

The University of Groningen is a research university with a global outlook, deeply rooted in Groningen, City of Talent. Quality has been our top priority for over four hundred years, and with success: the university is currently in the top 100 of several influential ranking lists.

The Faculty of Science and Engineering offers education and research in a wide range of disciplines, from traditional scientific disciplines such as physics and biology to interdisciplinary disciplines such as artificial intelligence and industrial engineering and management. The Faculty’s staff and students come from all over the world and nearly all its degree programs are in English.

The University of Groningen Digital Competence Center (DCC) is a collaboration between the University Library and Center for Information Technology, is the one stop shop for research data management and research IT support.