Job Description

We are one of the largest and oldest universities in Europe and one of the most important employers in our region.


Our broad range of subjects, the dynamic development of our main research areas and our central location in Cologne


make us attractive for students and researchers from around the world. We offer a wide range of career opportunities in


science, technology, and administration.



The IT Center University of Cologne (ITCC), as a central facility of


the University, provides support to all members of the academic


community and also participates in dedicated research projects, like


the CRC1601. In this project, the ITCC assists the consortium mem-

bers in research-data management (RDM), for instance by testing


and setting up systems and platforms for organizing, sharing, and


analyzing data. The CCAT Data Center at the ITCC will process and


manage the data produced by the Fred Young Submm Telescope,


which is currently under construction in Chile. This telescope will


generate approx. 10 petabytes of raw data in the first five years of


operation starting in 2026. The successful candidate is expected to


support both of these initiatives as an integral member of the exist-

ing teams at the Department of Research Infrastructure Services


(RIS at ITCC) and at the Institute of Physics I (PH1).


https://itcc.uni-koeln.de https://www.ccatobservatory.org

https://ph1.uni-koeln.de https://sfb1601.astro.uni-koeln.de



YOUR TASKS

» IT architecture: Research into novel techniques for managing


and processing large amounts of astrophysical data, incl. work-

flow management systems, data processing pipelines, cloud


technologies, high-performance computing



» Infrastructure and Systems Management: Testing, installation,


configuration and maintenance of project-specific hardware


and software, incl. on the HPC-system



» Astronomical Data Science: Further development and optimiza-

tion of the software and workflows used for the processing


of astronomical data



» Security and Data Management: Design and implementation


of backup and transfer strategies, as well as IT security


best-practices and data governance


» User Support and Communication: Assist the project and


consortium members in the usage of different technologies.


Participate in project and consortium activities, as well as in


publications, oral presentations, and grant applications


» Education (2h/week): Teaching a course in accordance with the


teaching obligations for academic staff as well as the develop-

ment of innovative tools for training and education and the daily


supervision of Bachelor‘s and Master‘s students and guest sci-

entists. Providing support in lectures or in connection with the


laboratory activities of the Department of Physics programme.


YOUR PROFILE

» University degree (BSc with at least three years of professional


experience or MSc) in computer science, or a related discipline


with several years of professional experience



» Experience in programming (Python, Linux-Shell, git) and Linux


system administration



» Several years of professional experience with network or server


infrastructures. HPC-system administration and optimization are


an advantage.



» Strong interest or experience with workflow management tools


(e.g. nextflow, snakemake, pegasus, reana, or others)



» Strong interest or experience with container technologies (e.g.


docker, kubernertes, podman, apptainer), and databases (e.g.


sqlalchemy, redis, postgres)



» Team-oriented personality. Experience in consulting is an


advantage.



» Very good communications skills in German and English

» Experience in the research area of astronomy/astrophysics


or data science/analysis is an advantage

» Ability to lead and execute complex IT projects, i.e. conveying


technical concepts and partnering with scientists to develop


solutions



We seek a proactive, resourceful colleague with a hands-on attitude


to problem-solving.



WE OFFER

» Exciting position at the interface between research and IT

» A diverse working environment with equal opportunities

» Support in balancing work and family life

» Extensive advanced training opportunities

» Occupational health management offers

» Flexible working time models

» Opportunity to work remotely



The University of Cologne promotes equal opportunities and diver-

sity. Women will be considered preferentially in accordance with


the Equal Opportunities Act of North Rhine-Westphalia (Landes-

gleichstellungsgesetz – LGG NRW). We also expressly welcome


applications from all suitable candidates regardless of their gender,


nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, disability, age, sexual


orientation and identity.



The position is available immediately on a full-time basis (39,83


hours per week). The term of the contract initially extends until 30


June 2027. If the applicant meets the relevant wage requirements


and personal qualifications, the salary is based on remuneration


group 13 TV-L of the pay scale for the German public sector.



Please apply online with proof of the required qualifications without


a photo under: https://jobportal.uni-koeln.de.


The reference number is Wiss2509-07. The application deadline is


16 October 2025.


For further inquiries, please contact Monica Valencia-Schneider


(vs@uni-koeln.de) or Christof Buchbender (Buchbend@ph1.uni-

koeln.de) and take a look at our FAQs.


Scientific Staff (f/m/x) in the field of


IT Center University of Cologne (ITCC)


IT System Architecture and Data management