Bewerbungsfrist: 07.12.2025

This is your field of work:

The Societal Observatory Using Novel Data Sources (SOUNDS) is an interdisciplinary research project at Saarland University (UdS), funded by the state's transformation fund. It investigates societal transformation processes using innovative data sources such as satellite images, social media, and barcode scanners. The aim is to link computer science and social sciences and to strengthen the use of data-intensive methods. In the long term, the goal is to establish an institute based on the structures that have been developed.

SOUNDS works closely with partners such as the I2SC (Interdisciplinary Institute for Societal Computing) and the Max Planck Institute for Software Systems. The project addresses disciplines such as political science, sociology, and macroeconomics and offers strategic interfaces to regional politics and economics. Cooperation with administrations should help to integrate scientific findings directly into decision-making processes.

Many research projects are based on common data types such as social media data, mobility data, or satellite images. To promote efficiency, quality, and an open scientific culture, we are establishing a central technology and data pool, for which we are looking for a team lead as soon as possible who will supervise at least three data engineers.

Your tasks are:

As team leader, you will be responsible for setting up, developing, and managing a central data development pool consisting of three specialized data engineers, whom you will lead as team leader. Your tasks will include:

• Technical management and coordination of the data engineering team of at least 3 data engineers.
• Planning, prioritizing, and assigning tasks within the team
• Representing the data engineering team in interdisciplinary project meetings and cooperating with project management
• Working closely with scientists from various disciplines to understand requirements and implement technical solutions
• Ensuring ethical and legal aspects are complied with in accordance with data protection and compliance guidelines when handling research data, as well as data quality, reproducibility, and documentation
• Strategic selection and analysis of the structure of a holistic data architecture, tools and processes for data collection and data pipelines, as well as interfaces
• Partial technical collaboration possible

Together with the management, you will play a key role in establishing efficient structures and lead the data development pool team.

Your profile:

• Completed degree (master's/diploma) in computer science, data science, computational social science, or comparable qualification, as well as a doctorate if applicable
• Experience in managing projects or teams
• Several years of professional experience in data engineering, big data, cloud architectures, processing large, heterogeneous data sets, or software development
• Very good knowledge of modern data architectures (data warehouses, data lakes, streaming technologies)
• Interest in interdisciplinary issues and socially relevant research applications
• Analytical, solution-oriented thinking, strong teamwork skills, and very good communication skills
• Fluent in English and very good German skills

We offer you:

• Flexible working time models for a better work-life balance, including the option of teleworking
• A secure and future-oriented job with attractive conditions
• Extensive training and further education opportunities (e.g., language courses)
• Attractive offers as part of the company health management program, such as university sports
• Additional pension plan (RZVK)
• Discounted ticket for public transportation (Job-Ticket Plus from saarVV)

We look forward to receiving your detailed online application (in one PDF file) by December 7th, 2025, to be sent to the following address: bewerbung@uni-saarland.de. Please quote the reference number N2232 in the subject line of your email when applying.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Your contact persons: