Semantic Data Architect; m​/f​/d

Semantic Data Architect

The German National Library of Science and Technology (TIB), Hannover, is looking to employ a Semantic Data Architect to work in Lab Linked Scientific Knowledge at the earliest possible opportunity.

The position is initially limited to two years with envisioned extension. The regular weekly working time is 39.8 hours (full-time). The position is only suitable for part-time work to a limited extent. The remuneration is based on pay scale group 13 of the collective agreement for the public service of the German states (TV-L).

Your challenge

You will work in an interdisciplinary team on the development and operation of semantic research data infrastructures for chemistry, materials science, and engineering. In this role, you will serve as a bridge between scientific disciplines, ontology development, and software development. You will work independently across projects, developing cross-disciplinary semantic models, applications, and services, while also testing AI-supported approaches for efficient ontology development and curation.

Semantic Modelling:

• Collaboration with partners in chemistry, engineering, computer science, and libraries
• Evaluation and implementation of LLM-based tools for AI-assisted ontology development and curation using a human-in-the-loop approach
• Development and maintenance of domain-specific ontologies and controlled vocabularies for materials science, manufacturing engineering, process engineering, and chemistry
• Application, mapping, and alignment of established standards:
  Metadata4
  
  Ing, MSEO, BFO, Data Cite, DCAT-AP
• Design of metadata schemas and generic protocol structures for experiments and processing workflows
• Development and maintenance of knowledge graphs (RDF, SPARQL)

Conceptual system development together with software developers and engineers:

• Coordinating the conceptual (further) development of the RDM system architecture from a "big-picture" perspective
• Collaborative requirements engineering within the team: translating domain requirements into technical specifications for applications for the semantic annotation of research data, protocols, and other data types
• Quality assurance of system implementations with regard to semantic correctness, FAIR compliance, and interoperability
• Helping to design knowledge graph interfaces and SPARQL query interfaces

Your profile

You have:

• a completed academic degree (Master's, university diploma, or equivalent) in computer science, chemistry, materials science, engineering, information science, computational linguistics, linguistics, digital humanities, data science, or a related field, provided there is a demonstrable thematic connection to knowledge modelling, semantic technologies, or information structuring.
• familiarity with the FAIR data principles and modern standards of research data management.
• knowledge of common metadata schemas such as Data Cite, Schema.org, and DCAT.
• experience in modelling metadata schemas and/or controlled vocabularies.
• excellent understanding of software development processes and the ability to act as a conceptual bridge between domain experts and developers.
• knowledge of version control (Git) and CI/CD workflows.
• high degree of self-organization and ability to work independently.
• excellent written and spoken English skills.

Desirable additions to your profile

• Experience with ontologies in chemistry, materials science, or engineering
• Experience with ontology development tools such as ROBOT, ODK, or Protégé
• Knowledge of LinkML and SSSOM
• Experience with AI-supported methods of ontology development and knowledge modeling, particularly the use of large language models (LLMs) as assistive tools in ontology engineering (e.g. OntoGPT, CurateGPT, LLM-supported ROBOT workflows)
• Experience with data repositories, electronic lab notebooks, Semantic Media Wiki, or terminology services
• Knowledge of German is a plus, but not required

What we offer

Our mission is to keep rethinking and innovating the provision and use of research data and information. In TIB's Research and Development Department you have the opportunity to advance your career in a sizable, dynamic and excellent environment. We provide a scientifically and intellectually inspiring environment with an entrepreneurial mindset, embedded in a leading technical university and one of the largest technical information centers being part of the Leibniz Association.

TIB collaborates closely with the L3S Research Center at Leibniz University Hannover, one of the world's leading research institutes in the field of Web & Data Science, within the Leibniz Joint Lab Data Science & Open Knowledge.

Last but not least, we attach great importance to an open, creative and fun work atmosphere.

Furthermore, we offer

• a job in the public service oriented towards the common good on the basis of the collective agreement for the public service of the German states (TV-L) with a salary in pay scale group 13 TV-L, provided that the personal requirements necessary for classification in pay scale…