Research Software Developer​/Information Engineer

At the Institute for Advanced Simulation - Materials Data Science and Informatics (IAS-9) at Forschungszentrum Jülich, the Metadata and Information Systems (MIS) team works at the intersection of scientific data management, research software engineering and semantic technologies. We develop information systems that make scientific data and information more usable, connected and accessible. A central part of this work is the Helmholtz Knowledge Graph (HKG), which connects metadata from research infrastructures across the Helmholtz Association.

Our goal goes beyond building another research software system. We want to contribute to changing how scientific information infrastructures work — and ultimately how researchers share and use scientific data. We believe that lasting changes in scientific practice require infrastructure that connects currently isolated systems and makes better data and metadata practices easier and more valuable. The HKG is now moving from a research prototype towards a professionally operated and sustainable infrastructure.

This creates an opportunity to shape its future while tackling problems for which there are no off-the-shelf solutions. We are looking for someone who wants to contribute to this journey and help build infrastructure with a lasting impact on how science is conducted.

• Developing and operating new features and services for the Helmholtz Knowledge Graph (HKG), from concept through reliable implementation and deployment.
• Building metadata quality assessment and improvement workflows, including automated checks, validation, data processing and semi-automatic curation.
• Set up data pipelines, extend semantic data models and curate APIs to integrate heterogeneous metadata and information assets.
• Exploring new ways of connecting the HKG with research data and scientific services, including interfaces, APIs and supporting tools.
• Investigating open technical questions, analysing requirements, evaluating possible approaches and turning agreed solutions into working infrastructure.
• Working with data providers, research infrastructures and working groups in Helmholtz and beyond to understand requirements and incorporate community needs into technical development.
• Supporting coordination activities within larger collaborations, including organising technical meetings and workshops, contributing to work package planning and coordination, and communicating with partners across Helmholtz and beyond.

We are looking for someone who enjoys tackling challenging problems and turning ideas into reliable research infrastructure. You work well collaboratively, communicate technical ideas clearly, and are comfortable contributing to both implementation decisions and longer-term development directions. Ideally, you bring:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in computer science, data science, information engineering or a related field; a doctorate is welcome but not required.
• Strong programming skills in Python and a willingness to develop software towards high levels of maturity, maintainability and operational reliability.
• Experience with, or a strong interest in, metadata and information systems and relevant standards such as Schema.org, DCAT, Dublin Core or OAI-DC.
• An analytical and solution-oriented mindset, with an interest in semantic technologies, knowledge graphs, data pipelines, APIs and research data infrastructures, and the willingness to learn new technologies and methods as required.
• Experience working in larger-scale research collaborations, consortia or other multi-partner initiatives, combined with strong communication and organisational skills for coordinating activities, meetings, workshops or work…