FedOSC Data Steward – Cross Domain
Your role and impact
As a Data Steward for the Federal Open Science Cloud (FedOSC), you will help federal scientific institutions (FSI’s) improve FAIR research data management practices, enhance Open Data and develop strategic approaches to Open Science. You will be in a supporting and coordinating role in a team of Data Stewards who each bring specialized expertise from different scientific domains.
Your key responsibilities will include:
• Contributing to a comprehensive inventory of existing research data and digital content systems across multiple federal scientific institutions ;
• Identifying cross-institutional patterns and opportunities for alignment ;
• Supporting the day-to-day activities of the two colleagues working in a part-time regime ;
• Ensuring consistent approaches and methodologies across the data steward team ;
• Contributing to strategic data management recommendations across institutions ;
• Providing expert guidance on implementing FAIR data practices while considering institutional diversity.;
Your broader responsibilities as part of the FedOSC project team will include:
• Taking a coordinating role for the Open Science Trainings work package ;
• Taking a coordinating role for the Open Science Policy Support work package ;
• Coordinating data steward team inputs and deliverables for the four Belnet work packages;
• Contributing to quarterly monitoring reports on Open Science developments ;
• Participating in international forums and networks ;
• Supporting documentation and guidelines development ;
• Participating in bi-weekly project team collaboration days.
The project
The Federal Open Science Cloud (FedOSC) project (www.belspo.be/fedosc) aims to enhance Open Science practices within the Belgian Federal Scientific Institutions. Through a comprehensive approach combining strategic guidance, technical infrastructure, and capacity building, the project works to improve research data management and sharing across the federal scientific landscape.
The project implements a coordinated strategy that:
• Helps federal scientific institutions develop their Open Science capabilities and data management practices;
• Creates centralised technical infrastructure and tools at Belnet to support research data management;
• Builds awareness and expertise around Open Science through training and knowledge sharing;
• Develops recommendations for sustainable Open Science policies at federal level.
As a data steward, you will regularly report on progress to the project's steering committee and contribute to quarterly monitoring reports for the Federal Open Science Strategic Committee, analysing both FedOSC developments and latest international Open Science trends. You will also support Belnet in developing and refining technical tools for the research community e.g. by participating in testing and providing user feedback on the new tools from an institutional perspective.
Your profile
You are a research data management specialist with strong coordination and analytical capabilities. You excel at identifying patterns across different scientific domains and can translate complex technical concepts into actionable guidance. Your understanding of Open Science principles and belief in their value drives you to help create sustainable improvements in research data practices across diverse institutions.
Educational Background
• Master's degree or higher in any domain.
Required Experience and Skills
• Experience in active participation in scientific research or research-oriented environment;
• Prior experience with research data management practices within your field of expertise;
• Prior experience in cross-discipline scientific projects.
Language Skills
• Professional proficiency in English (project working language);
• Professional proficiency in either Dutch or French is an asset.
Additional Assets
• Knowledge of metadata standards across multiple scientific domains
• Understanding of data management requirements in different research fields
• Experience in research data policy development
• Familiarity with data repositories and digital preservation ;
• Experience with research data management tools and platforms ;
• Understanding of the Belgian and European research landscape.
Required competencies
Generic Competencies (Federal Competence Model)
• Critical Thinking (Level 3): Putting information in a wider context and making strategic recommendations;
• Communication (Level 2): Share opinions and communicate appropriately;
• Cooperation (Level 2): Encourage collaboration and actively build professional relationships;
• Solution-orientation (Level 2): Implement solutions for continuous improvement.
Function-specific Competencies
• Research Data Management expertise, evaluated through:
o Knowledge of FAIR data principles and Open Data practices;
o Understanding of data management essentials;
o Strategic data management capabilities.
What we offer
• A contract of 2 years in the federal scientific career, grade SW11;
• An autonomous and responsible function as a scientific data steward;
• A dynamic working environment as a part of a multidisciplinary team of data stewards with regular collaboration days;
• Flexible hybrid work arrangements with up to 60% remote working possibilities;
• Choice of the primary location of work between the Institute of Natural Sciences (Rue Vautier 29, 1000 Brussels) or Belnet (Simon Bolivarlaan 30, 1000 Brussels);
• Professional development budget and opportunities to refine your expertise ;
• Opportunities to participate in international forums and conferences (EOSC, RDA, etc.);
• A unique opportunity to shape the future of Open Science in Belgium;
• Lunch vouchers;
• Public transport subscription between your home and the chosen primary working place;
• Hospitalisation insurance.
Practical information
Selection Procedure
The selection will consist of:
1. CV and motivation letter screening ;
2. Interview with a focus on both generic and technical competencies.
Application Process
• Send your motivation letter and CV by email to fedosc@belnet.be with "FedOSC Data Steward – Cross Domain" as reference.
• You must be a citizen of a member state of the European Economic Area or have an existing valid work permit within the European Economic Area to be considered.
• Be prepared to present a scan of your identity card/work permit, diploma and relevant work certificates upon being invited to the interview.
Additional information
• About the function content and context: FedOSC Project coordinator sam.kauranne@belnet.be
• About the selection procedure: hr@naturalsciences.be
Application deadline: 25 February 2025 at 12:00 Central European Time
Interview dates: 3 and 4 March 2025
Expected start date: 1 April 2025