Are you interested in working at an internationally leading scientific research institute with a stimulating environment? Would you like to develop skills and novel experimental methods on systems using technologies that produce cutting-edge science now and contribute to the development of next-generation astronomical facilities? Would you like to enhance sustainable access to tens of petabytes of astronomical science data collections? Then, you might be our new

Data Steward

The organization

ASTRON is the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy. ASTRON is part of the institutes organisation of NWO. Our mission is to make discoveries in radio astronomy happen. We do this by developing new and innovative technologies, operating world-class radio astronomy facilities and pursuing fundamental astronomical research. We work with inclusive teams, in which employees with diverse identities and perspectives work together. This makes our employees feel safe and valued, so that they can perform optimally and new horizons can be opened on our universe with everyone's input.

ASTRON is developing a Science Data Centre (SDC), a major upgrade of the International LOFAR telescope, and contributing to the realization of the SKA telescope in collaboration with a team of industry partners; LOFAR and SKA are high-tech telescopes running at the forefront of radio astronomy research.

Within the SDC, we enable astrophysicists of all levels to make fundamental scientific discoveries by supporting (and/or providing) processing and analysis tools and the instrumental and science-ready data generated by ASTRON’s instruments (LOFAR, WSRT/APERTIF) and, in the future, the Square Kilometre Array. For data intensive facilities like LOFAR and SKA, it is crucial to support and enhance sustainable access to the tens of petabytes delivered to the users' community through the archive and doing so in accordance with the FAIR principles. As a Data Steward, you will be responsible for bringing and keeping the quality, integrity, and access arrangements of the data and metadata of our facilities to be compliant with community and data management standards that are consistent with applicable law, institutional policy, and individual permissions and facilitates the effective production of science outputs. You will ensure a professional and careful treatment of the data throughout all stages of a research process. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to define projects and secure funding for the application of state-of-the-art data stewardship approaches to the data.

You will be a member of the Science Data Centre Operations (SDCO) group at ASTRON. This operational unit is responsible for the interaction with the user community and for operating the SDC services. As such, you can contribute to the definition and development of the SDC tools and services, to astronomical commissioning and testing of SDC functionalities, generation of science-ready data, user support, and development of data services in preparation for the future operations of the SKA Regional Centre. Depending on your interests, there is the possibility to invest up to 20% of your time in scientific research. This can be on any astrophysical, data science or instrumental topic, although some component involving the use of our facilities (LOFAR and/or Apertif) and/or allowing possibilities to collaborate with other ASTRON and SKA research staff is preferred.

We ask

You have a PhD in computer science, astronomy, or a related field.
You are a team player who has experience with and likes to interact with people from different backgrounds.
You are passionate about data and about supporting researchers that work with large data collections.
You have an understanding of scientific data processing and (extensive) experience with the generation and publication of scientific data.
You value the application of FAIR principles for the preservation and advancement of scientific results.
Furthermore, you have experience with the application of data storage and data transport technologies and are eager to explore IT technology for peta- and exabyte-scale science.
You possess a good command of spoken and written English.
Familiarity with data standards and practices for the astronomy domain (notably data formats common in the (radio) astronomical domain, and the Virtual Observatory) is a big plus.

We offer

ASTRON offers an attractive international innovative working environment for passionate researchers and professionals. Communication is informal and takes place via short lines. Our terms of employment are laid down in the Collective Labour Agreement for the Research Institutes . We offer:

A temporary appointment in the service of the Netherlands Foundation of Scientific Research Institutes (NWO-I) for a duration of 2 years (with a possible contract for an indefinite period based on good performance and sufficient funding). 
a gross monthly salary on a full-time basis in the range of € 3.630,- to € 5.758,- euro (scale 10), depending on relevant experience, and 42 vacation days per year
Opportunities and encouragement to grow and develop yourself and your career
A holiday allowance of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.33% of the gross annual salary, plus a solid pension scheme (ABP) and a generous relocation expenses.

This vacancy is based on a job profile that is still under development and has not yet been officially established. As a result, the definitive salary classification may differ from what is stated in this vacancy. Once the job profile has been finalized, the classification will be formally determined.

To discover firsthand experiences of colleagues who love working at ASTRON click this link.  

ASTRON is committed to increasing its staff diversity, and we are especially interested in applications from women and other traditionally under-represented groups. We embrace hybrid working and support a healthy work/private balance. Collaboration at our office sparks some of the best ideas and solutions to complex problems and enables us to be a strong team. Therefore, we work at least 60% of our time at ASTRON.

EU/EEA citizens are welcome to apply. For candidates from outside the EU/EEA, sponsorship of a residence permit may be possible under the highly skilled migrant scheme (kennismigrant) — eligibility depends on individual circumstances. Feel free to contact us before applying.

Information:

For information about the content of this vacancy, please contact Dr. Roberto Pizzo (pizzo@astron.nl), Head Science Data Centre Operations. If you have any questions about the procedure, please contact HRM via hrm@astron.nl.

Looking forward to your application

If you have come this far reading this job vacancy and are interested in this exciting opportunity, then we would very much like to meet you! We look forward to receiving your letter, curriculum vitae and your scientific interests (you can include this in your curriculum vitae or letter).

Note that two reference letters are not required at the time of submission. These letters will only be requested from candidates who are invited for the second interview and must be received prior to that interview.

The deadline for submission is 31 May 2026 .

The first round of interviews will take place in weeks 25 and 26.

And we hope to conduct the second round of interviews in week 29.

Acquisition based on this vacancy is not appreciated.

ASTRON

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