Team Lead Data Development Pool (m/f/x)
Team Lead Data Development Pool (m/f/x)
Saarland University is a campus university that is internationally recognized for its strong research programmes. Fostering young academic talent and creating ideal conditions for teaching and research are a core part of the university’s mission. As part of the University of the Greater Region, Saarland University enables students and staff to share and exchange knowledge and ideas between disciplines, between universities and across borders. With over 17,000 national and international students, studying more than a hundred different academic disciplines, Saarland University is a diverse and dynamic learning environment. [Saarland University is officially recognized as one of Germany’s family-friendly higher-education institutions and with a combined workforce of more than 4,000 it is one of the largest employers in the region.
The Societal Observatory Using Novel Data Sources (SOUNDS) is inviting applications for the following position commencing at the earliest opportunity.
Team Lead Data Development Pool (m/f/x)
Reference number N2302, salary in accordance with the German TV-L salary scale1, pay grade: E 14 TV- L, duration of employment: until 15 July 2032 with an option for extension, volume of employment: 100 % of standard working time.
Workplace/Department:
The Societal Observatory Using Novel Data Sources (SOUNDS) is an interdisciplinary research program at Saarland University (UdS), funded by the state’s Transformation Fund. We investigate societal transformation processes using innovative data sources such as satellite imagery, social media, and barcode scanners — with the aim of bridging computer science and the social sciences and strengthening the use of data-intensive methods in research. In the long term, an institute will be established based on the structures developed.
SOUNDS cooperates closely with partners such as the I2SC (Interdisciplinary Institute for Societal Computing) and the Max Planck Institute for Software Systems and addresses disciplines such as political science, sociology, and macroeconomics.
Many of our research projects rely on shared data types — social‑media data, mobility data, satellite imagery. To promote efficiency, quality, and an open scientific culture, we are building a central data development
1 TV-L = collective agreement on remuneration of public sector employees in the German Länder
The pay grade assigned to an employee depends on their professional qualifications and the number of years of service. Each pay grade is further subdivided into levels. Entry-level employees with no previous experience will initially be assigned a level 1 rating. After one year at level 1 of the E10 pay grade, an employee will move up to level 2. After a further two years, the employee will move to level 3, etc.
pool. You will lead this team, consisting of at least three specialized data engineers, and serve as the primary contact person for all data‑related questions within the program.
Job requirements and responsibilities:
Team Leadership and Coordination
•Together with the management, you assume a key role in establishing efficient structures and lead the data development pool.
•You lead, coordinate, and support the professional development of a team of at least three data engineers.
•You plan, prioritize, and allocate tasks within the team in a goal-oriented manner.
•You represent the data development pool in interdisciplinary project meetings and work closely with management and project leads.
Technical Architecture and Infrastructure
•You design a holistic data architecture (data warehouses, data lakes, cloud solutions) and build the technical infrastructure for the research projects.
•You develop and maintain data pipelines for large, heterogeneous data sources, as well as interfaces and integration processes.
•You ensure data quality, reproducibility, and complete documentation while ensuring compliance with data protection and regulatory requirements.
Consultation and Research Support
•You advise researchers from various disciplines on data-related questions and support them in implementing appropriate solutions.
•You assist researchers in selecting suitable tools, methods, and processes for data collection, storage, and analysis.
Your profile:
You bring
•Completed university degree (Master/Diploma) in Computer Science, Data Science, Computational Social Science, or a comparable field
•Several years of professional experience in data engineering, big data, cloud architectures, or the processing of large, heterogeneous datasets
•Excellent knowledge of modern data architectures (data warehouses, data lakes, streaming technologies)
•Initial experience in leading projects or teams
•Experience in working with (university) researchers
•Very good German skills (at least C1) and fluent English
This would be a plus
•PhD in a relevant field
•Practical experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP)
•Familiarity with legal aspects of research data management (data protection, data licensing)
•Interest in interdisciplinary and socially relevant research questions
How you work
You think analytically and solution-oriented, communicate clearly and respectfully — both with your own team and with professors from various disciplines — and enjoy working in a dynamic scientific environment.
What we can offer you:
•A flexible work schedule allowing you to balance work and family, among other things the possibility of teleworking
•A broad range of further education and professional development programmes (for example language courses)
•An occupational health management model with numerous attractive options, such as our university sports programme
•Supplementary pension scheme (RZVK)
•Discounted tickets on local public transport services (‘Job-Ticket Plus‘ of the saarVV)
We look forward to receiving your meaningful online application (in a PDF file) by 25.05.2026 to bewerbung@uni-saarland.de. Please include the reference number N2302 in the subject line of the e-mail.
Interviews are planned for 08 June 2026 on site in Saarbrücken.
If you have any questions, please contact us for assistance.
Your contact: Frau Dr. Anke Köhler
projekt-sounds@uni-saarland.de
Pay grade classification is based on the particular details of the position held and the extent to which the applicant meets the requirements of the pay grade within the TV-L salary scale. Part-time employment is generally possible.
If you have obtained a foreign university degree, a proof of the equivalence of this degree with a German degree by the Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen (ZAB) is needed before hiring. If necessary, please apply for this in time. You can find more information at https://www.kmk.org/zeugnisbewertung.
Unfortunately, neither costs for attending an interview at Saarland University nor costs for any certificate evaluation by the ZAB can be reimbursed in principle.
We welcome applications regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion/belief, disability, age, and sexual orientation and identity. In accordance with its policy of increasing the proportion of women, the University actively encourages applications from women. Applications from severely disabled persons will be given preferential consideration in the event of equal suitability.
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