Data Management Specialist

LifeWatch ERIC is a
European Research Infrastructure Consortium
providing e-Science research facilities to scientists investigating biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services in order to support society in addressing key planetary challenges.

Would you like to be part of this amazing project as Data Management specialist?:

This position aims to spearhead data initiatives across various projects within the environmental and socio-ecological sciences domains, contributing expertise in data management, data harmonisation and standardisation and support in developing data strategies and frameworks in collaboration with international stakeholders. This position offers an opportunity to enhance data management strategies within the LifeWatch ERIC framework, promoting collaborative research and enabling insights into biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics.

What we offer:

• Annual Gross Salary: €
• Holidays allowance: labour days
• Flexible schedule and 40% remote working

• Worklife balance measures

• Identify existing data sources throughout Europe for different disciplines within environmental and socio-ecological sciences (e.g., agroecology, microbiology, molecular biology or/and soil ecology), their availability, degree of digitalisation, formats, and compliance with established vocabularies and standards, and support the integration of diverse data from different sources in the LifeWatch ERIC infrastructure;

• Investigate standardised vocabularies, ontologies, and data management procedures relevant to LifeWatch ERIC and participate in international meetings and working groups to contribute to the development of new vocabularies and standards;
• Define and provide protocols and guidelines for data collection standardisation and semantic integration of data ontologies from diverse types of sources. Thus, data and variables ontology will be developed, together with experts, contemplating all possible current variants of the data formats to be worked with.
• Contribute to the process of harmonisation and standardisation of data, covering the different steps during the full data lifecycle (e.g., data collection, data documentation - metadata-, data integration - repositories, analysis and visualisation) in both domain-specific and cross-domain standards.;
• Contribute to mapping and evaluating domain-relevant data platforms and databases, translate stakeholder needs (e.g., living labs, research infrastructures, and practitioner networks) into requirements, and supporting the design of accessible, interoperable data infrastructures or services by integrating existing assets.
• Support the engagement with stakeholders, including researchers, policymakers, and industry partners, in the development of our data infrastructure and tools, ensuring alignment with their needs and priorities;
• Contribute to the preparation of technical reports and deliverables required for project monitoring and justification, as well as to the drafting of scientific publications, including research papers and data papers, in collaboration with project partners and international stakeholders.
• Gather data management requirements to support monitoring needs for biodiversity and ecosystem research within LifeWatch ERIC;
• Participate in project meetings to discuss data management needs with project partners and contribute to the development of data management strategies aligned with LifeWatch ERIC's goals;
• Develop Data Management Plans following LifeWatch ERIC and European Commission guidelines;
• Provide training to stakeholders on FAIR data management practices, including the use of state-of-the-art tools and technologies for data collection, curation, and analysis;
• Ensure that the data FAIRness (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) principles are upheld;
• Interact with researchers and help to translate research questions into data needs and solutions;
• Contribute to the implementation and continuous improvement of LifeWatch ERIC data management framewor

The ideal candidate should meet the following requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. degree in a relevant field (e.g., ecology, environmental science, bioinformatics) with a focus on agroecology, biodiversity, or microbial diversity;
• Minimum 3-year experience as data manager or similar role;
• Proven experience in data management, including data analysis, curation, and integration, preferably in the context of biodiversity research;
• Familiarity with standardised vocabularies, ontologies, and data management procedures;
• Knowledge on the definition of indicators is a plus;
• Experience in the design and development of data pipelines, relational databases and knowledge graphs is an added value;
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to explore and interpret complex datasets effectively;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and engage stakeholders from diverse backgrounds;
• Experience in developing Data Management Plans (DMPs) and implementing data policy and governance models;
• Proficiency in programming languages (e.g., Python, R) and data management tools is desirable;
• Knowledge of GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and remote sensing techniques is a plus;
• Expertise in semantic data management and a solid understanding of RDF (Resource Description Framework), SPARQL, and APIs for data access and manipulation;
• Research background and a research-oriented mindset are preferred.
• Proficiency in English (C1 level) is required;
• Participation in Framework Programme projects (Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe) is desirable;
• Proven organisation and communicative skills, proactivity, capacity of working in teams and under tight deadlines, in international environments and in multi-language contexts;
• Availability to travel abroad occasionally according to the specific working needs of this position;
• Ability to learn and develop skills as needed to support services outside of this job description.
• High-standard work ethics.

The vacancy is subject to the following procedure:

• A
  short covering letter
  and
  Curriculum Vitae (EUROPASS format and annexes, 4 pages at the most)
  shall be written in English by
  2 November 2025
  . Please use the form available at this link:
  
• The selection process will follow the Employment Policy of LifeWatch ERIC;
• Only shortlisted candidates will be re-contacted. Selected candidates may be called for an interview. Interviews will take place from
  3 November to 7 November 2025
  ;
• A competitive gross salary, from to based on the qualifications and experience of the candidate, will be offered. Employment will be in Spain, follow Spanish employment law and subject to a 180-day trial (probation) period;
• This position is Full-Time. Her/his main office will be located at the ICT-Core premises in Sevilla, Spain, without prejudice to the establishment of others in the future;

LifeWatch ERIC is an equal opportunity employer, and encourages all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of ethnicity, gender, age, national origin, or sexual orientation.