Metadata Engineer

„Research for a life without cancer“ is our mission at the German Cancer Research Center. We investigate how cancer develops, identify cancer risk factors and look for new cancer prevention strategies. We develop new methods with which tumors can be diagnosed more precisely and cancer patients can be treated more successfully. Every contribution counts – whether in research, administration or infrastructure. This is what makes our daily work so meaningful and exciting.

The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) is member of the Helmholtz Association, Germany's largest research organization and develops­ solutions and technologies for the world of tomorrow.

Technological developments in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning have greatly advanced the potential of data-based research. Without the necessary context information (metadata), however, much research data cannot be found, interpreted, or reused.

The Helmholtz Association has recognized metadata as essential for high-quality research data and promotes the development and establishment of new concepts and technologies through the Helmholtz Metadata Collaboration (HMC). With the current shift towards 'foundation models’, a paradigm of training models on a large amount of data and subsequently adapting them for different applications, metadata is more important than ever and the centerpiece for connecting datasets across different domains.

To strengthen our team at the HMC Hub Health, which is a part of the Division of Medical Image Computing (headed by Prof. Dr. Klaus Maier-Hein, https://www.dkfz.de/en/mic/index.php) we are looking for the next possible date for an enthusiastic

Metadata Engineer

Reference number: 2024-0344 

The role will involve close cooperation with researchers and metadata experts in other Helmholtz centers, with the ultimate goal of building a connected FAIR data space across the association and beyond. In detail: 

• Metadata is the centerpiece for connecting datasets across sources and domains. Together, we want to answer the following scientific questions:
  • Which metadata is most valuable for training and evaluating AI models?
  • Which metadata can and should be generated during biomedical data science research?
  • Which metadata is created in typical annotation and data curation workflows of medical experts?
• You support and advise researchers in metadata management and in the implementation of FAIR principles.
• You work on standards, guidelines, and tools for metadata management in the project and across the Association.   
• You actively and independently communicate and coordinate with a number of stakeholders on a national and international level, project partners, related consortia, platforms and networks, and you help building interest groups and communities.          

• Completed university degree in computer science, data science, or a comparable field of study
• Practical experience in data or research data management
• Knowledge on semantic web, databases and web technologies would be beneficial
• Experience with biomedical data or standards, imaging and non-imaging would help you getting started
• Hands-on-mentality in a fast evolving environment
• Experience in working with software projects
• Highly motivated, proactive, responsible, and structured way of working
• Enthusiasm for a topical subject with great scientific relevance
• Good command of oral and written English, German would be advantageous

• Excellent framework conditions: state-of-the-art equipment and oppor­tunities for inter­national networking at the highest level
• 30 days of vacation per year
• Flexible working hours
• Remuneration according to TV-L incl. occupational pension plan and capital-forming payments
• Possibility of mobile work and part-time work
• Family-friendly working environ­ment
• Sustainable travel to work: subsidized Germany job ticket
• Unleash your full potential: targeted offers for your personal development to further develop your talents
• Our Corporate Health Manage­ment Program offers a holistic approach to your well-being