Academic Expert (f/m/d) in Data Science | Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS)

The University of Cologne is one of the largest and most research-intensive universities in Germany, offering a wide range

of subjects. With its six faculties and its interfaculty centres, it offers a broad spectrum of scientific disciplines and internationally

outstanding profile areas, supported by the administration with its services.

CEPLAS conducts fundamental research on complex plant traits of agronomic relevance that impact on yield and adaptation to limited resources. This knowledge underpins novel strategies for designing and breeding plants that react in a predictable way to future challenges (SMART plants).

A significant part of CEPLAS research is founded on the extraction of new knowledge from large-scale datasets (e.g. proteomics or sequencing). This entails a close interaction between theoretical groups and experimentalists, from experimental design to data analysis and planning of new experiments.

YOUR TASKS

• The academic expert (f/m/d) will be responsible for the implementation of common principles for the design and analysis of large-scale experiments, implementing solutions for storage and organization of the data to make it identifiable and searchable (FAIR - Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable - principles of data stewardship), and support standard data analysis. For this, he*she will collaborate closely with the NFDI for plant science DataPLANT to align the data management strategies. He*she will also communicate regularly with the university‘s IT support (RRZK) to act as an interface between the researchers and the infrastructure units to ensure efficient solutions.
• The academic expert (f/m/d) will support the CEPLAS Data Management Officer (DMO) to organize experiment-specific workshops, ensure the most efficient use of resources and consequent implementation of FAIR principles, to communicate the results to the CEPLAS community, and to implement the developed data storage and management strategies. In addition, he*she should contribute to teaching within the Graduate School and the CEPLAS Quantitative Biology Bachelor program.

YOUR PROFILE

• A PhD degree in informatics, bioinformatics, biology or a related discipline
• Experience with large (biological) data sets
• Experience in FAIR data management
• Excellent communication skills and experience in interdisciplinary communication
• Knowledge of key bioinformatics pipelines
• Good programming skills
• Preferably experience in database design and management
• Preferably experience with ontologies and semantic modeling
• Preferably basic systems administration skills
• High degree of self-initiative and individual responsibility
• Fluency in English, both orally and in writing
• Readiness for mobility between four participating institutions is required
  

WE OFFER YOU

• A diverse and fair working environment
• Support in reconciling work and family life
• Flexible working time models
• Extensive advanced training opportunities
• Occupational health management offers
• Local transport ticket at a discount for UoC employees
  

The position is available from 1st February 2022 on a full-time basis. It is initially limited until 31.12.2025, with a possibility of being made permanent depending on successful evaluation. The pay scale depends on the personal qualification of the applicant and will be up to remuneration group E 14 TV-L of the pay scale for the German public sector.

The University of Cologne is committed to equal opportunities and diversity. Women are especially encouraged to apply and will be considered preferentially in accordance with the Equal Opportunities Act of North Rhine-Westphalia (Landesgleichstellungsgesetz – LGG NRW). We also explicitly welcome applications from people with disabilities / special needs or of equal status.

Please apply online at: https://jobportal.uni-koeln.de with proof of the sought qualifications no later than 31. January 2022. The reference number is Wiss2112-06. Your application should include cover letter, curriculum vitae, and short (max. 1 DIN A4 page) concept for (i) implementing FAIR principles, (ii) experimental design workshops and (iii) support structure for data analysis. Further inquiries can be directed to Prof. Dr. Stan Kopriva at [email protected] .