Data Steward

The successful candidate will support and advance research in mass spectrometry-based small-molecule omics, including metabolomics, lipidomics, and related qualitative and quantitative workflows. The Data Steward will establish and maintain robust data management practices, curating qualitative and quantitative databases, ensure long-term preservation and accessibility of raw and processed data, and enabling reproducible, FAIR-compliant research workflows. The position involves close analytical scientists, bioinformaticians, IT services, and interdisciplinary research teams. The Data Steward will contribute to building sustainable data infrastructures to support cutting-edge small-molecule omics and multi-omics research at the MSC as a service.

The position is initially limited to 1 year, after which there is the possibility of permanent employment.

Your future tasks:

This involves:

• Maintenance and upgrade of quantitative biomolecular databases and metadata
• Implementation of data management plans and FAIR data principles
• Development and maintenance of standardized data structures for raw MS data, metadata, processed datasets, and result files
• Design and implementation of Data Management Plans (DMPs) for research projects and MSC operations, ensuring alignment with institutional, national, and international funding requirements
• Collection, curation, and standardization of experimental metadata, including sample information, preparation protocols, instrument parameters, quality control metrics, and analytical workflows
• Preservation, annotation, documentation, and versioning of raw and processed datasets
• Streamlining and harmonizing data workflows across diverse omics platforms and associated domains
• Participation in interdisciplinary research projects, collaborative initiatives, and research infrastructure
• Contribution to grant proposals related to data infrastructure and open science
• Preparation of SOPs, documentation, guidelines, and training materials for data handling
• Teaching and training in research data management, FAIR principles, and reproducible computational workflows
• Supervision and support of students and researchers in data-related topics
• Participation in evaluation measures, quality assurance processes, and departmental administration
• Development and maintenance of quantitative databases and repository-ready datasets for small-molecule omics, including preparation and submission to public or institutional repositories
• Coordination of data archiving strategies, backup solutions, access control, and data security measures in collaboration with IT services and data protection offices

If you love working in a laboratory environment, and preferably on meaningful projects, then welcome to the team! We have a team of individuals who want to do something meaningful for society through their work. In a place where exchange is successful, with the necessary freedom, professionalism, and high standards., * MSc data science, or data steward, or related

• Experience with research data management, metadata standards, and FAIR principles
• Proven skills in handling large-scale raw data and long-term data preservation
• Experience with database structures and data repositories for omics data
• Strong programming skills (at least in Python), familiarity with workflow automation is an advantage
• Knowledge of statistical concepts and quality control
• Excellent communication, documentation, and data visualization skills
• Very good English skills (German is an advantage)
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across disciplines
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects
• Your special working style: You like to work independently and in a structured manner, you are service-oriented and you like to find solutions. You are a team player and have high social and communicative skills.

In addition, we expect the successful candidate to have:

• Experience working in interdisciplinary teams and research environments
• Experience with open science, data sharing, and reproducibility initiatives
• Teaching or training experience in data management or related topics
• Contributions to collaborative research projects or infrastructures
• Experience with international data standards and repositories (desirable)
• Knowledge of university and core facility structures and processes (desirable)
• Experience abroad and supervising students (desirable)

• Work-life balance: Our employees enjoy flexible working hours, remote/hybrid and/or part-time work (upon agreement), flexible working arrangements and family-friendly structures.
• Inspiring working atmosphere: You are part of a dedicated team with a diverse university background in a relaxed working environment.
• Good public transport connections: Your new workplace in the center of beautiful Vienna is easily accessible by public transport.
• Internal further training: We offer you the opportunity to deepen your skills on an ongoing basis.
• Fixed-term contract and fair salary: The position is initially limited to 1 year with the option of subsequent permanent employment. The basic salary of EUR 3.450,30 (full-time) increases, if we can credit professional experience.
• Equal opportunities for everyone: We offer highly inclusive and non-discriminatory working environment. We look forward to every additional personality in the team!

In addition:

• A key role in creating a sustainable multi-omics data infrastructure
• Work in a well-renowned, state-of-the-art Mass Spectrometry Core Facility at the heart of the University of Vienna
• Active contribution to reproducibility and Open Science initiatives
• Collaboration with interdisciplinary research teams
• Opportunities for professional development

At the University of Vienna, almost 11,000 people work together on the big questions of the future. Approximately 7,700 of them are academic staff members. These are individuals who, with their curiosity and their continuous pursuit of excellence, engage in international cutting-edge research and teaching. With us, you will also find space to unfold your potential. We are looking for a/an ...