Job Purpose

As part of the Research Computing as a Service (RCaaS) team within Information Services, the Research Data Technical Specialist will support University of Glasgow researchers using data-driven methods and undertaking data-intensive research. Their focus will be on a range of contributions that may include curation support to facilitate the creation, management and use of research ready data and safeguard the integrity and value of data outputs; scoping for and specifying data-specific service requirements (e.g. associated with the use of controlled data within a trusted research environment); and developing and delivering practical support services for researchers facing challenges associated with data scale, complexity and sensitivity. They will help organise large data sets and model outputs, ensuring they are findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR). They will work in partnership with colleagues in Information Services (e.g. Research Data Management; Infrastructure and cloud teams) to enhance the potential of University Research data and more effectively mitigate associated risks.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Support researchers with the development and technical implementation of data management plans that align with institutional and funder policies.

2. Provide technical guidance and support, including hands-on support, for management of data throughout the research lifecycle, from planning and collection to storage, analysis, archiving and sharing.

3. Promote and support the implementation of the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data principles through signposting and where necessary development of relevant policy, process and research data services.

4. Support the development and maintenance of data infrastructure and services to facilitate efficient and effective management of data.

5. Contribute to the development of training and capacity building provisions, and develop mechanisms for community collaboration, collectively aimed at broadening understanding and advocating for good data management practices.

6. Develop, support and maintain services associated with research data collection and management including but not limited to research data management platforms such as electronic lab notebook, REDCap, research file storage services and Trusted Research Environments.

7. Contribute to knowledge base including policies, guidelines and technologies related to research data, translating best practices into actionable advice and support services.

8. Work in partnership with and facilitate interactions between researchers and relevant Information Services and College teams including Research Data Management, IT infrastructure and information governance teams.

9. Offer specialist advice and input to the development of research funding proposals featuring data creation, collection and management, mitigating associated risks, maximising data value, utility and reusability and exploring opportunities for cost recovery associated with data services.

10. Establish close working relationships with local data champions and academic and clinical research colleagues to maintain an understanding of data needs and propagate knowledge of best practice solutions, supporting adoption of appropriate data services.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge / Qualifications

Essential:

A1 Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary knowledge and skills in a similar or number of different roles. Or: Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9 (Ordinary Degree, Scottish Vocational Qualification level 4), or equivalent including professional accreditation with relevant formal training and experience of personal development in a similar or related role(s).

A2 Excellent technical understanding of relevant data management systems and approaches including local and cloud databases and storage platforms, database design, data modelling and data warehousing and electronic lab notebooks, information identifiers and metadata standards.

A3 Knowledge of data management principles and solutions associated with the creation, storage and provision of access to a wide range of research data settings.

A4 Good level of disciplinary knowledge in one or more relevant University of Glasgow subject areas including awareness of data requirements and challenges.

A5 Familiarity with the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data principles to enhance data usability and sharing.

Desirable:

B1 Good knowledge of relevant legislative and regulatory requirements related to the processing of sensitive data.

Skills

Essential:

C1 Excellent technical skills in documenting research data and creating metadata to facilitate data discovery and reuse.

C2 Excellent planning, organisation, time and workload management skills with proven ability to prioritise demands and meet deadlines, with an understanding of the importance of equality and diversity and a commitment to contribute to an inclusive culture.

C3 Excellent written and verbal communication skills including authoring of technical reports and aptitude for delivering presentations or leading training or education sessions.

C4 Ability to work independently including planning and delivery, and to collaborate proactively as part of a team, including taking a leading role.

C5 Ability to rapidly comprehend new complex research requirements and quickly establish an understanding of feasibility and associated resourcing requirements, offering credible and robust technical solutions.

C6 Ability to quickly evaluate new technical opportunities and their suitability for deployment in data management workflows in support of research goals.

C7 Excellent analytical skills with confidence to challenge and continuously improve.

C8 Ability to build and maintain broad network of relationships with diverse stakeholder groups including research PIs, IT and information professionals and management and admin teams.

C9 Display role model behaviours with the ability to inspire and motivate operational colleagues to deliver service excellence.

Desirable:

D1 Expertise in designing and managing Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) workflows for data migration and warehousing.

D2 Data integration and analysis skills.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Experience in providing technical data management support for multiple research projects, ensuring successful outcomes.

E2 Experience of collaborating with research colleagues to understand data requirements and deliver appropriate technical and process driven solutions.

E3 Experience in making or assessing a formal case for new projects or activity (such as contributing to or evaluating research proposals or business cases).

E4 Experience of contributing towards or designing data strategy, policies, processes and workflows based on research requirements.

E5 Experience delivering a security frameworks that protects data quality, safeguards against unauthorised access and ensures compliance with relevant regulations.

E6 Experience supporting research data management systems such as electronic lab notebooks, research databases (such as REDCap) and trusted research environments.

Desirable:

F1 Experience in undertaking independent research.

F2 Experience delivering data management aspects of one or more trusted research environments.

F3 Experience in providing technical data management support for research across multiple academic disciplines.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, £40,497 - £45,413 per annum.

This post is full time and open ended.

Closing Date: 23:45 23rd July 2025

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The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.  If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.