Scientific data manager for the European project IHEN GA 101137317-Horizon Europe

The Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) is a cutting-edge institute addressing global public health challenges through research, translation into policy and education. ISGlobal has a broad portfolio in communicable and non-communicable diseases including environmental and climate determinants, and applies a multidisciplinary scientific approach ranging from the molecular to the population level. Research is organized in five programs: Climate, Air Pollution, Nature and Urban Health; Environment and Health over the Lifecourse; Global Viral and Bacterial Infections; Malaria and Neglected Parasitic Diseases and Maternal Child and Reproductive Health. ISGlobal is accredited with the Severo Ochoa distinction, a seal of excellence of the Spanish Science Ministry.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

ISGlobal is looking for a motivated Data Scientist for federated analysis to collaborate with the Department of Genetics, UMC Groningen, The Netherlands to work on the IHEN (International Human Exposome Network) project. IHEN project has received funding from Horizon Europe (grant agreement 101137317) and it is focused on building the international network, tools, and roadmap needed to achieve our overall goal to improve global research and cooperation on the exposome. The Data Scientist will be involved in onboarding activities, assessment of the needs of data owners and researchers for data access and sharing, guiding federated analysis as required in the demonstrator projects, maintenance of data infrastructures and advice in the general development of tools and use of infrastructure. Specific expertise should include MOLGENIS catalogue, experience in EU projects preferably from the EHEN program, and knowledge on federated data access and analysis, preferably DataSHIELD/Armadillo. 

IHEN has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101137317.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Optimise existing public metadata catalogues to provide an overview of the exposome data (e.g. exposures, covariates, health outcomes) available in cohorts/biobanks in the EU including a user interface and a FAIR data point and possibly Beacon
• Engage the IHEN stakeholders to identify relevant resources (via active surveys) and to submit information on relevant features to the metadata catalogue
• Support demonstrator projects with focus on accessibility to the data, analytical support, and suitable compute capacity (i.e. central and/or federated trusted research environment for the pre-specified demonstrators, e.g. DataSHIELD)
• Active involvement in, and extension of, the IHEN community of researchers and data owners, Liaison between UMCG and IHEN researchers / data owners, Liaison with MOLGENIS and DataSHIELD communities
• Assist in data entry and disclosure within the infrastructure
• Technical maintenance and upgrades of infrastructure

AUXILIAR TASKS

This job description reflects the present requirements of the post but may evolve at any time in the future as duties and responsibilities change and/or develop providing there is appropriate consultation with the post-holder.

This job description is not a definitive or exhaustive list of responsibilities but identifies the key responsibilities and tasks of the post holder. The specific objectives of the post holder will be subject to review as part of the individual professional assessment process.

SKILLS

• Responsible, flexible and with problem solving skills. 
• Excellent organization and team-working skills. 
• Effective verbal and written communication skills. 
• Good communication skills
• Self-organized, able to work remotely

The post holder will adhere to ISGlobal principles contained in People management policy, including Equity, diversity and health safety. The post holder will respect, and be accountable to ensure ISGlobal policies and procedures.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE / QUALIFICATIONS

• Educated to diploma level in biostatistics, bioinformatics or related topics
• Experience in processing and managing of complex data
• Has successfully concluded statistical analyses in R
• Experience with federated analysis tools: DataSHIELD, Armadillo, Opal
• Extensive experience with scientific programming languages on development level: R and Python
• Experience with metadata catalogue: MOLGENIS catalogue, resource level catalogue, data harmonisation catalogue
• Experience with big datasets: data manipulation, analysis, visualization
• Knowledge of FAIR principles
• Experience with guiding and instructing scientists
• Has an established network of researchers and DataSHIELD/Armadillo/Opal users and software suppliers
• Experience in epidemiological, medical or laboratory sciences an advantage

LANGUAGE LEVEL

• Fluent English (level C1)
• Spanish is not mandatory, but will be positively
  evaluated.

CONDITIONS

• Duration: 17 months (1st July 2025 – 30th November 2026)
• Starting date: 1st July 2025
• Contract Type: Full time
• Salary: Technician I A

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants must fill in the request form and attach the CV and a Cover Letter. Each attached document must be named with the candidate name and surname.

The receipt of applications will be open until 30th of June 2025.

The interviews could be placed during the reception of candidatures period.

Diverse candidatures are encouraged, that includes: gender, race, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, physical abilities, and political views.

SELECTION PROCESS

The selection process is designed in two phases:
1- Interview phase of a technical nature, with the team that requires the incorporation. To assess the person's skills and CV.
2 - Meeting with HR with the finalist(s) to finish assessing the profile and discuss contractual and institutional issues.

If needed any technical test could be passed. A Psychological Competency Evaluation Test will be required for the structural or transversal positions.

In accordance with the OTM-R principles, a gender-balanced recruitment panel is formed for every vacancy at the beginning of the process. After reviewing the content of the applications, the panel will start the interviews, with at least one technical and one administrative interview. A profile questionnaire as well as a technical exercise may be required during the process.

In ISGlobal we are committed to maintaining and developing a work environment in which the values and principles of our organization are respected and equal opportunities between women and men be promoted in each of the areas in which we operate, not tolerating discrimination based on criteria such as age, gender, marital status, race, ethnicity, functional diversity, political leanings, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

We confirm our commitment towards the value of the diversity of our staff and student population and seek to promote peace, equity, diversity and inclusion as essential elements in contribution to improving health worldwide.