Researcher in Data Integration & Open Science (f/m/x, 100%)
Leibniz-Institut f眉r Wirtschaftsforschung Halle (IWH)

Temporary

Full Time

Apply by: 2025-10-06

Published: 2025-09-11

Halle (Saale)

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The Research Data Centre (RDC) at Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWH) 鈥� 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 vision of making complex microdata accessible, transparent, and reusable. Key tasks include:

Developing and implementing methods for integrating heterogeneous data sources, including record linkage, meta-analytic synthesis, and harmonisation.
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鈥搇ife 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 L盲nder 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 鈥� 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.

How to apply
Please apply for this position 2025-04 online via our by October 06, 2025.

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.

For questions regarding the position, please contact Dr. Wiebke Szymczak
Email: Wiebke.Szymczak@iwh-halle.de
Phone: +49 345 7753 862

Job location

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About the employer

Leibniz-Gemeinschaft

Berlin

> 10000 employees

German + 1

Established 1997

8 Jobs

About the Leibniz Association

The Leibniz Association connects 96 independent research institutions that range in focus from natural, engineering and environmental sciences to economics, spatial and social sciences and the humanities. Leibniz Institutes address issues of social, economic and ecological relevance.

They conduct basic and applied research, including in the interdisciplinary Leibniz Research Alliances, maintain scientific infrastructure, and provide research-based services. The Leibniz Association identifies focus areas for knowledge transfer, particularly with the Leibniz research museums. It advises and informs policymakers, science, industry and the general public.

Leibniz institutions collaborate intensively with universities 鈥� including in the form of Leibniz ScienceCampi 鈥� as well as with industry and other partners at home and abroad. They are subject to a transparent, independent evaluation procedure. Because of their importance for the country as a whole, the Leibniz Association Institutes are funded jointly by Germany鈥檚 central and regional governments. The Leibniz Institutes employ around 21,400 people, including 12,170 researchers. The financial volume amounts to 2,3 billion euros.

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