Data Manager for the Interdisciplinary Centre on Population Dynamics (CPop)

The Interdisciplinary Centre on Population Dynamics (CPop) at the University of Southern Denmark invites applications for the position of Data Manager, commencing on October 1, 2025, and lasting until September 30, 2027. This is a two-year position offering a unique opportunity to contribute to internationally recognized research on population aging, longevity, fertility, and demographic change.

About the Centre

CPop is a leading research centre dedicated to understanding the dynamics of population change. Our work focuses on survival, longevity, aging, and fertility with a strong emphasis on the social, economic, and policy implications of demographic shifts. The centre is internationally recognized for its expertise in analytical demography, demographic modelling, and forecasting, and is committed to research-based teaching in the master programme in Population Studies.

The Position

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Data Manager to join our team. This role is central to the Centre’s research infrastructure and offers a unique opportunity to contribute to high-impact, interdisciplinary research in a collaborative academic environment.

As Data Manager, you will be responsible for the development, maintenance, and oversight of CPop’s data systems. You will ensure that data processes are secure, efficient, and compliant with GDPR and institutional policies, while supporting researchers in managing and utilizing complex datasets.

In addition to your core responsibilities within CPop, you will actively contribute to data management tasks for both internal and external research projects. Your expertise will also be made available to other departments and institutes, with your time allocated to these collaborations.

Key responsibilities

• Collaborate with researchers to define data specifications, clean and validate datasets, and ensure their usability for analyses
• Maintain internal systems, access rights, and relevant documentation
• Manage the secure acquisition, transfer, and processing of research data
• Ensure compliance with GDPR and institutional data governance policies
• Serve as the primary liaison with SDU’s IT and administrative departments regarding data security and infrastructure
• Develop and implement tools and processes to improve data workflows and reporting

Qualifications

We are looking for a candidate who meets the following criteria:

• Master’s degree in social science, information science, data science, or a related field
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience managing large-scale data projects
• Proficiency in database management, ETL processes, and statistical software (primarily SAS, SQL, R, Python, and Stata)
• Experience of working with Danish registry data primarily via Statistics Denmark’s project database and researcher scheme
• Knowledge of and practical experience with software licenses and computer hardware, including server setup
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Familiarity with GDPR and data security legislation
• Excellent written and spoken English; proficiency in Danish is an advantage
• Experience with documenting data and processing procedures
• A proactive, collaborative attitude and a willingness to take on new challenges

Why Join Us?

At CPop, you’ll join a diverse and supportive team that values collaboration, academic excellence, and a positive work environment. You’ll work closely with leading researchers in a dynamic, interdisciplinary setting that encourages innovation, continuous learning, and professional growth. We work in an inclusive culture built on trust, openness, and mutual respect.

For more information, please contact Astrid Holm Nielsen, Head of Administration at CPop, at astni@sam.sdu.dk or by phone at +45 6550 4451.

Employment conditions, application, and interview

Salary and employment will be in accordance with the applicable collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the relevant organization.

Place of employment: Campus Odense, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense M.

The application deadline is August 31, 2025, at 23:59.
The expected employment start date is October 1, 2025.

The application must include a cover letter, CV, and diploma. All documents submitted with the application should not contain the Danish CPR number — if so, the CPR number must be crossed out. All attachments must be in Adobe PDF format.

The cover letter and CV must not exceed 5 MB. Guidance regarding the application can be found here.

The University of Southern Denmark aims to reflect the surrounding society and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position.

The University of Southern Denmark was established to create value for and with society. Whether our contributions come in the form of excellent research, innovative solutions, education or learning, we must make a positive difference to society and contribute to a sustainable future. We do this by cultivating talents and creating the best environments for research and learning. It is therefore crucial that SDU retains, develops and recruits talent. At the same time, we need to ensure consistently high quality in all our activities – and we can only do that with the right people. The University’s researchers, lecturers, students, managers and technical/administrative staff are the foundation of our success.
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