View Vacancy -- Data Steward - MLC 2449

We are seeking a data steward to join a new data interoperability team within the National Mouse Genetics Network (NMGN). This is an opportunity to build a strong skillset in data interoperability and data modelling required to link diverse datasets at scale. 

The NMGN is a recent major new investment by the Medical Research Council to support the enhancement of mouse research and its alignment with human clinical studies. The NMGN will use data to link pre-clinical mouse models with clinically relevant human cohorts, allowing the rapid translation of mouse models into the clinical setting and therefore accelerating improvements to patient outcomes. 

The NMGN programme requires a scalable data sharing platform focused on the scientific priorities of the network. Datasets across diverse modalities will be linked and annotated according to requirements for federated analysis. This role will be based at the Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell, the Medical Research Council’s national facility for mouse genetics. 

Main Duties/Key Responsibilities: 

• Flagging and escalating issues in data to project stakeholders according to a preliminary set of validation metrics to uphold the quality of scientific data
• Work with NMGN stakeholders to survey metadata and data model requirements for the wide range of scientific data modalities collected by the community
• Contribute to shaping new standards for annotating scientific datasets
• Build a technical pipeline for mapping relational databases to the Resource Description Framework (RDF) and linking data to deliver AI-ready knowledge graphs to computational biologists
• Build skills in Python, SQL, RDF, R, database management and other technical domains as required
• Produce high-quality documentation as required for collaborative open-source pipelines
• Maintain resources and code using version control and Git
• Communicate effectively with NMGN stakeholders and the scientific community using various platforms such as email, video conferencing, and attending and presenting at meetings and conferences
• Learn the FAIR principles (https://www.go-fair.org/fair-principles/) and work to ensure that our data-capture software and data-linking pipeline is FAIR-compliant across all levels
• Work systematically to harmonise metadata across the data types collected by the NMGN and refer to expert opinion from the network
• Provide support to the NMGN cluster teams with all aspects of data uploads, data corrections and troubleshooting as expected in a developmental project
• Mentoring and supporting more junior colleagues as the team expands

Additional Information:

Hybrid working is possible with this role; 2/3 days per week on site at Harwell campus. 

Education/Qualifications/Training Required:

Essential:

• A strong life sciences or computational degree, or relevant work experience 

Desirable: 

• Training or education in relevant technical skill such as FAIR data, RDF or database management

Previous Work Experience Required:

Essential:

• Experience in building and using technical pipelines for data curation and management
• Evidence of technical skill and aptitude in at least one of the following: SQL, database management, RDF, SPARQL or similar
• Demonstration of consistency and independence when working on long-term projects whilst making decisions and communicating to project stakeholders

 Desirable:

• Experience of working with metadata, controlled vocabularies and semantic web technologies for data mapping and FAIR data
• Evidence of having worked on Agile projects

Knowledge and Experience:

Essential:

• Experience and knowledge across complex datasets and types such as big data for transcriptomics, time-series and genomics
• Knowledge of linked data and controlled vocabularies
• Experience working effectively within a technical team

Desirable:

• Knowledge of concepts and standards in data management
• Technical experience of the FAIR lifecycle, linked data and semantic web technology

Personal skills/Behaviours/Qualities:

Essential:

• Possess strong written and verbal communication skills
• Be proactive and self-organised
• Capable of working under pressure to meet deadlines
• Able to develop and maintain effective professional working relationships
• Willing to learn new technical skills as project goals change

Equality & Diversity:

The MRC values the diverse skills and experience of its employees and is committed to achieving equality of treatment for all.  Our objectives are that all individuals shall have equal opportunities for employment and advancement on the basis of their skills, aptitudes and abilities.  The MRC is committed to the engagement and retention of the best possible talent and to creating an environment that encourages excellence in scientific research through good equality and diversity leadership and management. 

Corporate/Local Responsibilities & Requirements:

The post-holder must at all times carry out their responsibilities with due regard to the MRC’s:

• Code of Conduct
• Equality and Diversity policy
• Health and Safety policy
• Data Protection and Security policy 

The above lists are not exhaustive and the post-holder is required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be requested within the scope of the post.  All employees are required to act professionally, cooperatively and flexibly in line with the requirements of the post and the MRC.