Senior Scientific Data Manager (f/m/d) 1571/2026/9

In the Department of Population Based Health Research, Bonn, we have a vacancy with the following responsibilities:

• Lead the strategic development and continuous optimization of data management processes for one of Germany’s largest population-based cohort studies
• Develop and continuously enhance structures, standards and quality assurance processes for the systematic documentation of study data, variables, and metadata, in close collaboration with researchers and in line with best practices
• Lead and coordinate complex data management projects and manage the needed stakeholder communication
• Identify data-related challenges and translate them into practical, scalable solutions

• PhD or Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Data Science, or a related field
• Several years of experience in scientific data management of large scale human data, preferably in large population-based cohort studies or clinical research
• Strong understanding of current data protection requirements and governance principles
• Excellent management and leadership skills
• Ability to work independently, prioritize strategically, and lead initiatives to completion
• Strong organizational skills and a structured, solution-oriented approach to work
• Advanced programming skills in R or Python, experience with relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL)
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to communicate effectively and professionally with public authorities and to work successfully in international, interdisciplinary teams.
• Excellent proficiency in written and spoken English and German

Population-based health research is one of the DZNE’s key research areas, dedicated to investigating the causes and biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases and supporting healthy aging. Most of our research is based on the Rhineland Study, a large-scale, deeply phenotyped population-based cohort study conducted in the Bonn area that will include up to 20,000 adults who are followed over their life course. Further information on the Rhineland Study can be found at the following link:

The Data Management and IT team of Population Health Sciences ensures reliable data flow and end-to-end data provenance, from data collection at the Rhineland Study examination centers to downstream analysis by researchers. In addition to integrating external systems, the current eight-member team develops core components of the data infrastructure in-house. We are looking for an experienced scientific data manager to join this team as a senior member.

We envision the position as bridging research, data management and IT, to ensure data integrity and support the accurate documentation and scientific contextualization of data and metadata. To that end, the ideal candidate combines scientific data expertise, epidemiological knowledge, data management experience, and communication skills, and will play a key role in shaping data integrity as well as the data management infrastructure. This includes the further development of a comprehensive data dictionary and harmonized data models, establishing robust governance frameworks and scalable data workflows, and securing a high-quality, privacy-preserving data infrastructure.

Please ensure that your complete application (cover letter, CV, certificates, and references) is uploaded as a single PDF document. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

For further questions regarding the position, please contact Astrid Seidel and Prof. Dr. Dr. Breteler at [email protected]

This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.

Company

The Helmholtz Association contributes to solving major challenges to assure the future of our society. With more than 47.500 people on staff in 18 national Research Centers and an annual budget of more than 6 billion euros, the Helmholtz Association is Germany’s largest scientific organization. The name Helmholtz stands for concerted research, in which networks form the key principle behind inquiring thought and action.

The profile of the Helmholtz Association

The Helmholtz Association performs cutting-edge research which contributes substantially to solving the grand challenges of science, society and industry. To succeed in meeting these responsibilities, Helmholtz concentrates its work in six research fields: Energy, Earth and Environment, Health, Information, Matter, as well as Aeronautics, Space and Transport. Within each of these fields, research programs are developed by our scientists and regularly evaluated by renowned international experts. Their evaluation forms the basis for the program-oriented funding that is allocated to Helmholtz research. Within the six research fields, Helmholtz scientists cooperate with each other and with external partners – working across disciplinary, organizational and national borders.

Moreover, Helmholtz specializes in large-scale research infrastructures – from accelerator facilities, earth observation satellites, research ships to supercomputers. They form the basis for scientific advances in tackling global societal challenges. Managing national research infrastructure is part of the Helmholtz Association's mission.

Promoting young academics

Helmholtz scientists, a high-performance infrastructure and modern and efficient research management are the ingredients to the Helmholtz Association‘s success and global impact.
Promoting young researchers is a major priority for the Helmholtz Association. Its qualification schemes for young researchers are geared mainly towards PhD students, postdocs and young managers. The Helmholtz Association has set high standards for its talent management. Its strategy begins with targeted recruitment of highly qualified staff at all levels, followed by comprehensive support aimed at further developing their potential. Ensuring equal opportunities is an essential element in all talent management activities undertaken by the Helmholtz Association.

The Helmholtz Graduate Schools and Research Schools at almost all Helmholtz Centers provide doctoral students with the general and specific skills and training they need, as well as ample opportunity to network. The period following a doctorate is decisive in determining the direction and success of a scientific career. For this reason, we established Career Development Centers for postdoctoral researchers in the Helmholtz Centers. This equips young researchers with the skills they need to go on to head a Helmholtz Investigator Group , for example. As an Investigator Group leader, junior scientists can independently set up their own group to conduct research in their specialist field and acquire management skills.

Within its talent management strategy, the Helmholtz Association pays special attention to the increased recruitment of talented female scientists both from Germany and abroad. To this end, there are currently two funding programs supporting this policy: and Helmholtz Distinguished Professorship – Funding for the recruitment of leading international female scientists (W3) .

The increasing complexity of the content, structures and framework conditions of scientific work today requires researchers to organize their projects, their employees and, of course, themselves in a highly professional and effective way. In response to these demands, we have set up the Helmholtz Leadership Academy to provide leaders in science with professional management training. Furthermore, the Helmholtz network provides a platform for the alumni of the Helmholtz Leadership Academy to come together and share their experiences of leadership, career development and lifelong learning.

All of this combined makes the 18 Research Centers of the Helmholtz Association a highly attractive environment for talented researchers from all over the world.

Company info

Telephone

0049-30-206329-0

Location

Anna-Louisa-Karsch-Str. 2
Berlin
Berlin
10178
Germany