Science lead (m/f/x) of the Görlitz Astronomical Data Centre (GADC)

Vacancy ID 12935

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TUD Dresden University of Technology, as a University of Excellence, is one of the leading and most dynamic research institutions in the country. Founded in 1828, today it is a globally oriented, regionally anchored top university as it focuses on the grand challenges of the 21st century. It develops innovative solutions for the world's most pressing issues. In research and academic programs, the university unites the natural and engineering sciences with the humanities, social sciences and medicine. This wide range of disciplines is a special feature, facilitating interdisciplinarity and transfer of science to society. As a modern employer, it offers attractive working conditions to all employees in teaching, research, technology and administration. The goal is to promote and develop their individual abilities while empowering everyone to reach their full potential. TUD embodies a university culture that is characterized by cosmopolitanism, mutual appreciation, thriving innovation and active participation. For TUD diversity is an essential feature and a quality criterion of an excellent university. Accordingly, we welcome all applicants who would like to commit themselves, their achievements and productivity to the success of the whole institution.

A new major research center is currently being established in Lusatia: The German Centre for Astrophysics (DZA). As a globally recognized symbol of innovation, the DZA is creating new opportunities for German astrophysics to take on strategic leadership roles and is having a lasting impact on structural change in Lusatia.

For the collaboration with the DZA, the Center for Information Services and High-Performance Computing (ZIH) of TUD is seeking to fill a position as

Science lead (m/f/x)

of the Görlitz Astronomical Data Centre (GADC)

(subject to personal qualification, employees are remunerated according to salary group E 14 TV-L)

starting as soon as possible. The position is limited until October 31, 2028. The period of employment is governed by the Fixed Term Research Contracts Act (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz – WissZeitVG). The position is based in Görlitz (Saxony). Balancing family and career is an important issue. The position is generally suitable for candidates seeking part-time employment. Please indicate your request in your application.

Tasks: As science lead of the new Görlitz Astronomical Data Centre, you will ensure that it will be relevant to science as part of the global Virtual Observatory (https://www.ivoa.net). This entails original research exploiting the global data infrastructure as well as cooperation with other data centres globally. You will also represent the GADC in the national and international science communities.

• establishment, project management and academic supervision of a research group (with 3 researchers in minimum) as well as serving as the scientific director of the new Görlitz Astronomical Data Center
• independent execution of complex, interdisciplinary research projects at the intersection of astrophysics and data science
• monitoring and evaluating of current developments in an interdisciplinary research context and expanding networking within and outside the DZA in academic and business circles, as well as the development and formulation of strategies for the advancement of GADC and the entire Virtual Observatory
• representing the GADC in national and international bodies (particularly the IVOA) and scientific consortia, with the aim of ensuring the sustainable archiving and interoperable publication of data products
• identifying, acquire, planning and applying for funding opportunities for follow-up research projects in the context of data-generating projects, as well as independently implementation of externally funded research projects

Requirements:

• successfully completed university and PhD degree in astronomy, astrophysics, or a related field
• knowledge and experience in leading research groups and in research administration
• wide-ranging expertise in various subfields of astronomy
• experience in using multi-messenger archive data to gain new scientific insights
• interest in open, interoperable data and science infrastructures
• negotiation skills and experience in dealing with international bodies and funding organizations

We offer:

• responsible and varied work within a dedicated team
• flexible working time models and und support in balancing family and career
• 30 days of vacation per year (based on a 5-day working week)
• further education and training programs
• discounted job ticket (also available as "Deutschlandticket")
• participation in the supplementary pension scheme for employees in the public sector via VBL (Federal and State Government Employees Retirement Fund)

TUD strives to employ more women in academia and research. We therefore expressly encourage women to apply. The university is a family-friendly university. We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities. If multiple candidates prove to be equally qualified, those with disabilities or with equivalent status pursuant to the German Social Code IX (SGB IX) will receive priority for employment.

Application: Please submit your detailed application with the usual documents and quoting the job reference number "w26-165 / science lead GADC" by September 14, 2026 (stamped arrival date of the university central mail service or the time stamp on the email server of TUD applies), preferably via the TUD SecureMail Portal https://securemail.tu-dresden.de by sending it as a single pdf file to zih@tu-dresden.de or to:

TU Dresden, Center for Information Services and High-Performance Computing (ZIH), Prof. Dr. Wolfgang E. Nagel, Helmholtzstr. 10, 01069 Dresden, Germany.

Please submit copies only, as your application will not be returned to you. Expenses incurred in attending interviews cannot be reimbursed.

TUD is a founding partner in the DRESDEN-concept alliance.

Reference to data protection: Your data protection rights, the purpose for which your data will be processed, as well as further information about data protection is available to you on the website:

https://tu-dresden.de/karriere/datenschutzhinweis.

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