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.
Your Job
You will work in a highly interdisciplinary team of software developers, data scientists, and metadata engineers. Your work will focus on extending and improving the Helmholtz Knowledge Graph and its surrounding infrastructure. This includes:
- 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.
Your Profile
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 packages across organisational boundaries.
- Knowledge of technologies used in the HKG infrastructure, such as Next.js/TypeScript, Apache Airflow, QLever, Virtuoso or Solr/OpenSearch, is beneficial.
- Very good command of written and spoken English with extensive vocabulary is required (at least B2 level according to the CEFR), ideally supported by a certificate confirming the language level
Our Benefits for You
- Meaningful tasks: Secure employment in an international, multidisciplinary environment combining software engineering, information science, and domain research with diverse academic and professional backgrounds.
- A creative work environment: A leading research facility, located on an attractive research campus at the TZA Aachen and the Forschungszentrum Jülich.
- Work-life balance: Optimal conditions for balancing work and private life, as well as a family-friendly company policy. The option of flexible working (in terms of location) is generally available after consultation and in line with upcoming tasks and (on-site) appointments
- Vacation: You will receive 30 days of vacation (depending on the chosen working time model) plus additional days off (e.g. between Christmas and New Year's)
- Flexibility: Flexible working time models, including options close to full-time, allow you to tailor your working hours to suit your individual needs
- Knowledge & further training: Your professional development is important to us – we provide targeted, individual support: Access to comprehensive training programs and individual opportunities for professional development.
- Successful start: It is important to us that you quickly settle into the team and are given structured training for your tasks. We also support you from the very beginning and make your start easier with our Welcome Days and Welcome Guide
- Fair remuneration: Depending on your existing qualifications and the tasks assigned to you, you will be classified in pay grade 13 of the TVöD-Bund (Collective Agreement for the Public Service). All information on the TVöD-Bund collective agreement can be found on the BMI website. The monthly salaries in euros can be found on page 74 of the PDF download
- Additional benefits: Benefit from attractive additional services such as a company pension scheme with employer contribution. In addition to the basic salary, there is an additional year-end bonus under the collective pay agreement amounting to 75% of a monthly salary, as well as capital-forming benefits
- Fixed-term: The position is limited to 2 years
- Support for international employees: Our International Advisory Service makes it easier for international employees to get started
- Career Center: You will receive explicit support with regard to your career development opportunities
In addition to exciting tasks and a collegial working environment, we offer you much more: https://go.fzj.de/benefits
We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.
The following links provide further information on diversity and equal opportunities: https://go.fzj.de/equality and on specific support options for women: https://go.fzj.de/womens-job-journey. International applicants can find more information here: https://go.fzj.de/job-journey-internationals
Index number: 2026T-0815
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