Experienced Data Steward (Research & Development specialist)

About us...

The Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB) is an interdisciplinary research centre of the University of Luxembourg. We conduct fundamental and translational research in the field of Systems Biology and Biomedicine – in the lab, in the clinic and in silico. We focus on neurodegenerative processes and are especially interested in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease and their contributing factors. 

The LCSB recruits talented scientists from various disciplines: computer scientists, mathematicians, biologists, chemists, engineers, physicists and clinicians from more than 50 countries currently work at the LCSB. We excel because we are truly interdisciplinary and together we contribute to science and society.

As a pioneer in its field, the LCSB develops many research and research-supporting applications in-house. We are looking for an experienced data steward to work within the Responsible Reproducible Research (R3) team. You will implement the Research Data Management services for all data related activities at LCSB. You will engage in scientific research by supporting the creation of new methods, procedures, and/or systems for current or future research projects.

Your Role...

The hired candidate will be responsible for developing processes and infrastructures for effective data and metadata management in our research activities and functionally reports to the Responsible and Reproducible Research & IT team lead. The position involves interactions with institutional, national and international stakeholders in biomedical, clinical, translational research and will be integrated in an existing team of data stewards.

Your main tasks will consist of:

• Design and implement institutional policies and procedures for adequate data lifecycle management, standards and legal compliance, data protection, documentation, and information security.
• Contribute to research and developments towards novel IT solutions in research data management, research reproducibility and data protection.
• Contribute to the development and execution of change management processes as and when necessary, such as, emerging data stewardship approaches, tools, new regulations, and codes of conduct.
• Interact with various stakeholders such as data submitters or data users for the effective stewardship of research data. Assist with managing data submissions and handling data access requests and follow-on agreement processes.
• Monitor GDPR compliance, devise and implement technical and organizational measures towards data protection. Perform and maintain data protection impact assessments (DPIA) for research projects. Interact and exchange with the DPO.
• Monitor the research data management compliance under requirements of the laws, regulations and guidance of supervisory authorities and funding bodies.
• Support research groups in writing and implementing data management plans.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of data stewardship tools.
• Foster the use of institutional data stewardship and governance tools, maintain glossaries and relevant knowledge models.
• Develop and give trainings on relevant topics including Data Management, Data Protection and Reproducibility.
• Contribute to projects, project deliverables, scientific publications, and community work in the field of Data Stewardship.
• Improve on procedures/practices, as advancements in the field dictate.

What we expect from you…

• Minimum a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in computer science, engineering, data science, or another field but with equivalent and proven experience.
• Master or PhD degrees are considered a strong advantage.
• Proven experience of collaborative research, research data management and data protection
• Knowledge of FAIR principles and the RDM life cycle and how to implement them into data infrastructures, tools and policies is a must.
• Knowledge of GDPR applied in a research context is a must.
• Knowledge of the ELIXIR landscape will be considered an asset.
• Knowledge of any of the following will be considered an asset: metadata serialization, persistent identifiers, metadata standards, data management plans (DMP), data capture and/or cataloging tools, programming principles, and IT infrastructure services (such as NFS, SMB, OIDC, LDAP, ...).
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Any other language is considered an asset.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills and problem solving mindset.
• Ability to articulate clearly technical needs within an interdisciplinary setting.
• Demonstrable computer programming skills are an advantage.
• Experience of the source code control process using tools (e.g., git) is an advantage.
• Knowledge of using the shell (any OS, preferably UNIX) is desirable
• No prior knowledge of the biomedical research required, but a willingness to work as part of an interdisciplinary team is essential.
• Reproducibility attitude, a mind of transparency, and a belief in the value of sharing and reusability of assets
• Ability to handle multiple assignments at one time while working independently and effectively under deadlines.
• An enthusiastic and motivated team player. Autonomous, dynamic, and curious.
• Willingness to learn and ability to adapt

Here’s what awaits you at the LCSB...

• Excellent work environment with state-of-the-art infrastructure, laboratory and administrative support
• Truly connected. We work together with hospitals and research institutes on a national and international level as well as industrial partners. Connection between science and society is very important to us. From our school lab – the Scienteens Lab – to the different outreach activities and collaborative partnerships with patient associations, we love to listen to society’s needs and share our passion for science
• Be part of a multicultural team. At the LCSB we have more than 50 nationalities. Throughout the year, we organise team-building events, networking activities and more

In Short...

• Contract type: 36 months fixed-term contract (extendable up to 60 months in total) 
• Work hours: Full Time 40.0 Hours per Week
• Location: Belval
• Internal title: Research and development specialist
• Job reference: UOL05704

How to apply...

• Applications (in English) should contain the following documents:
• A detailed curriculum vitae (CV).
• A cover letter describing previous project experience (if any) and future interests.
• List of publications, data, infrastructure, software, or other projects
• Description of past experience and future interests
• The name and addresses of three referees (if available).

Online applications should be addressed to: Prof. Dr. Reinhard Schneider, Head of the Bioinformatics Core Facility and Head of the ELIXIR-Luxembourg Node.

For further information, please contact: Dr. Laurent Heirendt.

We ensure full consideration of applications received by 15 May 2023; however early submission is encouraged. Applications sent by e-mail will not be considered. All applications will be handled in the strict confidence.

The University of Luxembourg embraces inclusion and diversity as key values. We are fully committed to removing any discriminatory barrier related to gender, and not only, in recruitment and career progression of our staff.

In return you will get…

• A fully funded position with an inflation-adjusted competitive salary based on your experience.
• Modern and bright office rooms on the Campus Belval of the University of Luxembourg
• Modern and performing work equipment.
• An environment in which continuous learning is actively encouraged and funded.
• A modern infrastructure with state-of-the-art applications and technologies.
• A real opportunity to create a positive impact on medical research and human betterment.
• 32 days of annual leave and 40 hours of leave for personal reasons.
• Compulsory social health insurance and private options at preferential rates.
• Meal vouchers for use in restaurants and supermarkets.
• Participate in the building of state-of-the-art translational medicine platform to support clinical projects from national, EU and beyond.
• An opportunity to join the fast-growing Bioinformatics Core Facility group headed by Prof. Dr. Reinhard Schneider.
• An exciting international environment.

About the University of Luxembourg...

University of Luxembourg is an international research university with a distinctly multilingual and interdisciplinary character. The University was founded in 2003 and has more than 6,700 students and more than 2,000 employees from around the world. The University’s faculties and interdisciplinary centres focus on research in the areas of Computer Science and ICT Security, Materials Science, European and International Law, Finance and Financial Innovation, Education, Contemporary and Digital History. In addition, the University focuses on cross-disciplinary research in the areas of Data Modelling and Simulation as well as Health and System Biomedicine. Times Higher Education ranks the University of Luxembourg #3 worldwide for its “international outlook,” #20 in the Young University Ranking 2021 and among the top 250 universities worldwide.