Data Steward/Scientist for Environment and Health Research

As a globally recognized research center, VITO aims to accelerate the transition toward a sustainable world. With our Health research program, we pioneer a preventive approach to health care and support societal transitions. One of the pillars of our approach is the prevention of diseases caused by environmental pollution. Our research relies heavily on measurement and modelling data of chemical substances in the environment and in humans, combined with lifestyle factor insights (such as diet, stress, green space, …) to identify health risks and take measures to control them.

We are looking for a Data Steward/Scientist to join our team. Your primary responsibilities are two-fold:

As a Data Steward, you will contribute to research data governance and to the development of a FAIR data platform that makes data available for exposome research. Important aspects will be legal and ethical compliance related to personal data handling (GDPR), FAIR principles, quality control, and applying or developing domain specific standards. Through your work, you will support VITO researchers and external collaborating partners in data access and data use.

As a Data Scientist, you will support senior researchers in statistical data analyses and interpretation, and in reporting the results of your analyses. Your findings will contribute to shaping policies and interventions aimed at improving public health and environmental sustainability.

You will play a pivotal role in the European Partnership on Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC) and in the European research infrastructure for Environmental Exposure Assessment Research (EIRENE).

Are you driven by data and committed to making a positive impact on health and the environment? Read on!

Your tasks will include:

• Driving best practices in data management by collaborating with researchers and external partners to improve data processing, publishing, and governance.

• Gathering and analyzing user requirements from researchers, end-users, and external partners to enhance data platform functionality and effectiveness.

• Developing data governance policies by writing data management plans, data access policies, data agreements, and related documentation in collaboration with stakeholders.

• Ensuring GDPR compliance by liaising with VITO’s Data Protection Officer and Information Security Officer.

• Data management and facilitating data access and data use for researchers and other stakeholders

• Supporting senior researchers by conducting statistical data analyses and interpretation of results.

• Communicating research findings through reports, scientific papers, presentations, workshops, and other channels while ensuring knowledge transfer to team members.

• Translating research findings into actionable insights, particularly for government stakeholders.

• Expanding VITO’s network by fostering collaborations with research and industry partners to create new opportunities in preventive health.

• You hold a master’s degree in biomedicine, biology, biochemistry, bioengineering, ...

• You have knowledge of FAIR data, open data, data management, and its associated resources such as (meta)data standards, ontologies, and data repositories

• Experience with managing life sciences datasets is a plus.

• You have knowledge of legal and ethical requirements of life sciences datasets to ensure GDPR compliance

• Proficiency in statistics and programming software and data visualization tools is essential (R, Python, …)

• You are communicative and can express yourself fluently in Dutch and English (written and spoken).

• Experience in working on collaborative projects is an asset.

If you are passionate about data stewardship and environmental health research and want to contribute to the world's transition to sustainable growth, you could be the perfect fit for our team. Apply now!

Offer

• We work 'activity-based', our activities bring us to our location. Our headquarter, and base location for this role, is in Mol. Part-time working from home or a satellite office in Antwerp-Berchem, Genk, Leuven, Ghent or Ostend is possible.

• A competitive salary with a range of benefits, including allowances, insurances and a modular package of holidays.

• Innovation is our asset, so it goes without saying that we give our employees the opportunity to take additional training courses and stay up-to-date in their field. You will always have the opportunity to broaden your knowledge and discover new technologies.

• You will have the opportunity to be part of an organization with an international reputation, known for its cutting-edge technological research and scientific consultancy.

• With us, you will contribute directly to sustainable developments at local, national and global level through your innovative applications. You provide answers to contemporary societal challenges.