Researcher in Data Integration & Open Science (f/m/x, 100%)
2025/04
The Research Data Centre (RDC) at Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWH) – Member of the Leibniz Association is seeking to hire a
Researcher in Data Integration & Open Science (f/m/x, 100%)
to strengthen its innovative capacity. The Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWH), Member of the Leibniz Association, conducts empirically grounded economic research that informs policy and advances scientific knowledge. Its nationally accredited Research Data Centre (RDC) supports this mission by providing secure access to complex, sensitive microdata and by developing infrastructure that enables high-quality economic research. In line with the principles of FAIR, CARE, and open science, the RDC works to make data more transparent, well-documented, and reusable within the research community.
As the centre expands its role in methodological innovation and research infrastructure, you will have the opportunity to make a tangible impact on how complex economic data are accessed, understood, and used. Your work will include linking and harmonising diverse datasets, designing synthetic data that preserve analytical value while protecting confidentiality, and building provision pathways that make data findable and usable for a broad range of research purposes.
To deliver its mission, the RDC works closely with IWH’s research departments, covering macroeconomics, financial markets, labour, productivity and innovation, regional economic development, and structural change, creating opportunities for collaborative research where interests align.
The position is initially limited to two years. A permanent contract after a positive evaluation is possible and aspired.
Your responsibilities
We are looking for a motivated researcher who is passionate about data and shares the RDC’s vision of making complex microdata accessible, transparent, and reusable. Key tasks include:
- Developing, applying, and validating methods for statistical disclosure control and synthetic data generation, ensuring compliance with formal privacy standards while preserving analytical value.
- Advancing FAIR-compliant research data management (RDM), including the preparation of data management plans and reproducibility workflows for sensitive/confidential data.
- Designing secure and efficient data provision pathways (e.g., APIs, remote access solutions).
- Supporting researchers in data access and use, ensuring compliance with legal and confidentiality requirements.
- Contributing methodological expertise to institutional projects (e.g., MDI, IWH Subsidy Database) and actively engaging in national and international research data networks (e.g., KonsortSWD, NFDI), including working groups and collaborative initiatives.
Your profile
- Completed PhD (or near completion) in a relevant field such as economics, statistics, data science, informatics, or another quantitative social science.
- Proven skills in empirical methods and proficiency in at least one programming or scripting language (e.g., R, Python, Stata).
- Experience with the integration and analysis of complex microdata; familiarity with sensitive data handling, FAIR research data management, preregistration, or synthetic data methods is highly desirable.
- Interest in economic research topics such as macroeconomics, financial markets, labour, productivity and innovation, regional development, and structural change; willingness to cooperate on research projects where interests align.
- Collaborative working style, with readiness to contribute to both infrastructure projects and the wider research data community.
What we offer
IWH is a family-friendly research institute and an equal opportunity employer. We offer a stimulating work environment in a small, interdisciplinary team with flat hierarchies, where you can take ownership of projects and make a real impact. Flexible working arrangements, including home office options, support a healthy work–life balance. As part of a vibrant and international academic community within IWH, you will benefit from close collaboration with colleagues from around the world. Additional staff benefits include access to high-quality research infrastructure, regular on-site massages, and support for professional development.
Remuneration for the position is in accordance with the collective agreement for the public sector of the federal states (Tarifvertrag der Länder TV-L) and, due to its technical complexity and strategic relevance, is classified up to salary grade 13.
Applications from persons with disabilities and those with equivalent status are welcome. Please indicate any disability in your application, if applicable.
We highly appreciate diversity and are thus pleased to receive any application ‒ irrespective of gender, nationality, disability, or ethnic and social background. The IWH aims to increase the proportion of female researchers and specifically encourages women to apply.
For questions regarding the position, please contact Dr. Wiebke Szymczak
Email: Wiebke.Szymczak@iwh-halle.de
Phone: +49 345 7753 862
Application procedure
Please apply online for the position 2025/04 via our application portal by 2025-10-06.
In addition to a letter of motivation, your application should include an academic CV with a list of publications, conference presentations, and (if applicable) acquired third-party funding, copies of degree certificates, and the contact details of at least one academic reference (e.g. your supervisor). Applications received will be evaluated on the basis of professional qualifications and talents will be considered for recruitment regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion or belief, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity. Applications from people with disabilities and their equals are welcome. Please indicate any severe disability in your application.
