Scientific Project Coordinator (f/m/x) Environmental Data and AI Platform (DataMon)

The UFZ

The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) is a world-leading institution in environmental research and a member of the Helmholtz Association, Germany’s largest scientific organisation. With approximately 1,200 employees across Leipzig, Halle, and Magdeburg, we have been conducting research since 1991 using a transdisciplinary approach to address the most pressing challenges of our time: biodiversity loss, climate change, and environmental pollution. Our goal is to translate excellent research into practical solutions for policymakers, business, and society, and to serve as a reliable partner in supporting transformation processes toward a sustainable and just future for current and future generations. We foster a culture of collaboration, openness, and diversity within a work environment that actively promotes creativity and personal development.

The job

DataMon is a new strategic UFZ initiative to build an integrated environmental data and AI platform that brings together established monitoring products, scientific data services and cross-domain analytical capabilities. The platform will make UFZ data products more accessible, interoperable and AI-ready, while creating new opportunities for integrated environmental research and knowledge transfer. As Scientific Project Coordinator, you will play a central role in turning this ambitious interdisciplinary initiative into a coherent implementation process, connecting scientific, technical and organisational perspectives across UFZ and with external partners.

Your tasks

• Establish and maintain the integrated DataMon roadmap across the shared platform, monitor and data-product modules, and cross-cutting AI and spatial-compute services.
• Work closely with module leads to clarify requirements, resolve dependencies and conflicts, prepare decisions, agree on priorities and next steps, and ensure consistent follow-up across the DataMon portfolio.
• Coordinate milestones, deliverables, dependencies, resource requirements, risks and decisions across module leads, research data management, IT, knowledge transfer, research infrastructure units, technical working groups and external service providers.
• Translate scientific and user needs into clear technical and organisational requirements, identify reusable solutions and synergies across modules, and align priorities, interfaces and implementation pathways.
• Prepare and facilitate Steering Group meetings, readiness reviews and cross-project workshops; draft decision papers and ensure that agreed actions are followed up and, where necessary, escalated.
• Establish and maintain project controls for schedules, risks, changes, decisions, reporting and documentation, and prepare concise status and management reports.
• Support the procurement and commissioning of external development services, coordinate service providers, and monitor deliverables, acceptance criteria and knowledge transfer in close cooperation with the responsible UFZ units.
• Coordinate the transition from project implementation to sustainable operation, including responsibilities, update cycles, quality assurance, maintenance requirements and user support.

We offer

• The freedom to master even the most demanding challenges between basic research and practical application
• The chance to work in interdisciplinary, international teams and benefit from a variety of perspectives
• Firstclass integration into national and international research networks to work together on global challenges
• Excellent research infrastructure and research data management to optimally support your work
• Flexible working hours and a wide range of options for balancing work and care responsibilities through our family office
• Competent support and advice for international colleagues arriving at the UFZ from the 'International Office'
• Special annual payment, capital-forming benefits and subsidised Germany Job Ticket
• A workplace in a vibrant region with a high life quality and social and cultural diversity

Your profile

• An academic degree at master’s level or equivalent in environmental or natural sciences, computer or data science, geoinformatics, engineering, science and technology management, or a related field
• Several years of experience managing complex, interdisciplinary digital, research-infrastructure, software or data-platform projects, including multi-team roadmaps, deliverables, dependencies, risks and reporting
• Proven ability to lead through influence, create commitment across organisational boundaries, address conflicts constructively, prepare and facilitate decisions, and ensure consistent follow-up
• A strong technical understanding of data platforms and software development, interfaces and APIs, data and metadata workflows, FAIR principles, cloud or compute environments, and AI-enabled services. Hands-on coding experience is welcome but not essential
• Excellent facilitation, presentation, negotiation and writing skills, with the ability to communicate confidently with researchers, IT specialists, management, stakeholders and external service providers
• A structured, independent and outcome-oriented working style, sound judgement in evolving and complex project settings, and experience with agile or hybrid project management approaches
• Very good written and spoken English and German
• Experience with public procurement, contract deliverables or external service provider management is an advantage