The Department of Earth Sciences harbors largely unexposed data from scientific collections and observations from the period 1950-2020, mostly derived from marine expeditions and field campaigns. Over 100,000 samples and cores are archived in databases, but the metadata and analytical results are as yet hidden in non-accessible concrete and digital formats. Unlocking data sets, collections and simulations is important for future research and for expanding opportunities for public engagement.
The department recently initiated and got involved in projects and developments that aim to achieve these goals. The current vacancy results from the recognition by the board of the Faculty of Geosciences of Utrecht University that an additional stimulus is needed to support the projects. The department seeks to appoint a data steward to work as one of four data stewards in the Faculty of Geosciences in close collaboration with existing teams and colleagues.
The overall project aims to identify/define and implement community standards for FAIR-ification of data of ongoing and future research projects, which make use of instrument setups in the Faculty's Geolab building. Your job will be to work with laboratory researchers and technicians to analyse current data gathering techniques, discuss needs and wishes to make lab-data open and FAIR-compliant and work out feasible solutions to make data suitable for further processing, archiving and publishing activities. Besides that, you will support other departmental researchers to store, (re)use and analyse research (meta-)data and information in line with the FAIR principles.

In addition, you will liaise with (data management, information security, privacy) expertise available in the Faculty of Geosciences (e.g. the geosciences Virtual Data Management Team) and in affiliated projects which are in interest of the department. The data steward will be positioned in our GEO-ICT support department and will work for the Department of Earth Sciences.

The ideal candidate:

• has completed a university master involving at least a minor in geosciences;
• has demonstrable understanding of methods and techniques of processing scientific data;
• is socially intelligent, and have excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• is a trusted and proactive advisor to research and teaching staff;
• is creative in finding suitable solutions using co-creation principles;
• has a strong affinity with information technology and security and privacy;
• has experience working with Python, MS Access, (T)SQL and/or PL/SQL.

We offer a temporary position (1.0 FTE) for 9 months in an international working environment. The gross salary - depending on previous qualifications and experience  - ranges between €2,960 and €4,670 (scale 10 according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities (cao)) per month for full-time employment. Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3% per year. In addition, Utrecht University offers excellent secondary conditions, including an attractive retirement scheme, (partly paid) parental leave and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). More information about working at Utrecht University.

Utrecht University's Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth's core to its surface, including man's spatial and material utilisation of the Earth - always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the Faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively on major societal themes. Our focus is on the Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.
The Department of Earth Sciences is the largest academic earth sciences institute in the Netherlands and among the larger ones in Europe. The department conducts education and research across a large range of the solid Earth and environmental Earth sciences, with activities in almost all areas of geology, geochemistry, geophysics, biogeosciences and hydrogeology. The department hosts an international tenured staff of over 45 scholars and more than 110 PhD students and postdoctoral researchers. Our research programme spans four intertwined themes: Climate & Life, Earth interior, Earth Materials, and Environmental Earth Sciences. We house a wide variety of world-class laboratories.