Research Data Stewardship and Training Developer (f/m/x) - Developing European Capacity-Building Frameworks for Environmental Research Data
Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung – UFZUFZ is the leading institution of the eLTER ESFRI process, aiming at the establishment of the Integrated European Long-Term Ecosystem, critical zone and socio-ecological Research Infrastructure (eLTER RI, eLTER-RI.eu) in the context of the high level strategic platform for the development of priority European RIs (European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures, ESFRI, https://www.esfri.eu/). The UFZ campus in Leipzig hosts the eLTER Head Office, which manages the eLTER ERIC legal entity and coordinates related eLTER projects and activities in close collaboration with the University of Helsinki.
165 scientific institutions in 28 countries and 26 national LTER networks have been collaborating in this process and creating the pan-European distributed physical network of > 250 highly instrumented ecosystem and socio-ecological research sites. Effective Research Infrastructures (RI) depend not only on technical systems but also on professionals who can curate, document and preserve increasingly complex scientific data as well as ensure their quality. RIs therefore require shared competence frameworks, practice-oriented training pathways and sustainable professional development models for Data Stewards and Data Curators.
Place of work Leipzig, remote working partially possible Working time 100% (39h/week)The job position is available for full-time or part-time employment.
Contract limitations limited contract / 3 years Salary Remuneration according to the TVöD public-sector up to pay grade 13 including attractive public-sector social security benefits. ContactYour contact for any questions you may have about the job:
Ulf Mallast (ulf.mallast@ufz.de)
Martin Abbrent (martin.abbrent@ufz.de)
To ensure a fair selection process, please submit your application (cover letter, CV, and relevant supporting documents) via our online portal without a photo, age information, or details about your marital status.
Diversity and InclusionThe UFZ values diversity and is actively committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all employees, regardless of their origin, religion, beliefs, disability, age or sexual identity.
We welcome people who represent diverse backgrounds, identities and perspectives. We therefore particularly encourage people who are affected by structural discrimination to apply to us.
The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) is a world-leading institution in environmental research and a member of the Helmholtz Association, Germany’s largest scientific organisation. With approximately 1,200 employees across Leipzig, Halle, and Magdeburg, we have been conducting research since 1991 using a transdisciplinary approach to address the most pressing challenges of our time: biodiversity loss, climate change, and environmental pollution. Our goal is to translate excellent research into practical solutions for policymakers, business, and society, and to serve as a reliable partner in supporting transformation processes toward a sustainable and just future for current and future generations. We foster a culture of collaboration, openness, and diversity within a work environment that actively promotes creativity and personal development.
The jobUFZ is the leading institution of the eLTER ESFRI process, aiming at the establishment of the Integrated European Long-Term Ecosystem, critical zone and socio-ecological Research Infrastructure (eLTER RI, eLTER-RI.eu) in the context of the high level strategic platform for the development of priority European RIs (European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures, ESFRI, https://www.esfri.eu/). The UFZ campus in Leipzig hosts the eLTER Head Office, which manages the eLTER ERIC legal entity and coordinates related eLTER projects and activities in close collaboration with the University of Helsinki.
165 scientific institutions in 28 countries and 26 national LTER networks have been collaborating in this process and creating the pan-European distributed physical network of > 250 highly instrumented ecosystem and socio-ecological research sites. Effective Research Infrastructures (RI) depend not only on technical systems but also on professionals who can curate, document and preserve increasingly complex scientific data as well as ensure their quality. RIs therefore require shared competence frameworks, practice-oriented training pathways and sustainable professional development models for Data Stewards and Data Curators.
Your tasksWe are seeking a Research Data Stewardship and Training Developer (f/m/x) to connect operational environmental data curation with the development of reusable training, competence and professionalisation frameworks. The position combines practical work with scientific data, community co-design and the development of scalable training services for European research infrastructures. Your responsibilities are:
- Co-design a European competence and curriculum framework for Data Stewards and Data Curators in the environmental and Earth system sciences, including role profiles, learning pathways and approaches to professional recognition or certification.
- Contribute to the operational work of the eLTER Data Curation Team and translate practical experience, requirements and lessons learned from environmental data curation into training concepts, reusable guidance and future data-stewardship services.
- Design, develop and deliver modular training resources, onboarding programmes, workshops, webinars, summer schools and train-the-trainer formats on FAIR data, metadata, data quality, open science and responsible AI.
- Analyse the needs of Data Stewards, researchers and research infrastructures and translate them into functional and technical requirements for training management software, digital learning environments and related supporting services.
- Build and coordinate a European community of practice for Data Stewards and Data Curators, facilitating knowledge exchange, stakeholder consultation and the development and adoption of shared professional standards.
- Develop sustainable and openly reusable training services, contribute to their evaluation and continuous improvement, and support their integration into institutional and European research-infrastructure programmes.
- The freedom to master even the most demanding challenges between basic research and practical application
- The chance to work in interdisciplinary, international teams and benefit from a variety of perspectives
- Firstclass integration into national and international research networks to work together on global challenges
- Excellent research infrastructure and research data management to optimally support your work
- Flexible working hours and a wide range of options for balancing work and care responsibilities through our family office
- Competent support and advice for international colleagues arriving at the UFZ from the 'International Office'
- Special annual payment, capital-forming benefits and subsidised Germany Job Ticket
- A workplace in a vibrant region with a high life quality and social and cultural diversity
- A university degree, preferably at Master’s or PhD level, in Data Sciences, Computer Sciences, Environmental Informatics, Geoinformatics, Environmental Sciences, or a related field
- Experience in research data management, data stewardship, data curation, or scientific information management
- Knowledge of FAIR data principles, metadata, data publication, data quality and the scientific data lifecycle.
- Experience in designing or delivering training, professional development, capacity-building or educational programmes.
- Ability to translate complex technical and organisational topics into accessible, practice-oriented learning resources for different professional audiences.
- Experience in community building, co-design, stakeholder consultation or the coordination of professional networks.
- An understanding of digital learning environments, competence frameworks or requirements engineering would be an advantage.
- Highly welcome: Experiences with and/or connections to EOSC.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary and international environment.
- Very good communication skills in English and German.
Application deadline: 02.08.2026
More information about jobs at the UFZ:www.ufz.de/career