At a Glance
- Tasks: Explore emerging technologies and design innovative research services.
- Company: Join GÉANT, Europe's leading collaboration for research and education.
- Benefits: Flexible hybrid working, 31 days holiday, and a learning budget.
- Other info: Collaborate with an international team on cutting-edge projects.
- Why this job: Make a real-world impact in research and scientific communities.
- Qualifications: Technical background in data management or cloud, with a passion for innovation.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 € per year.
This job can be based in Cambridge or Amsterdam. We’re looking for a Research Applications & Data Services Officer to join our New Services Development team. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys exploring emerging technologies, working hands-on with research communities, and translating complex research needs into practical, scalable solutions. You’ll be working at the intersection of research, data, and technology, helping shape next-generation services across the European research and education community. The work is varied, technical, and collaborative, from early-stage exploration and prototyping through to supporting services that can scale across national and European infrastructures. This role suits someone curious, technically minded, and motivated by building services that have real impact across research and scientific communities.
What You’ll Do
- Research Data & Technology Exploration: You’ll explore emerging technologies and trends across research data, data science, and AI, identifying opportunities that can support future research services. You’ll contribute to horizon scanning, help assess how technologies apply across the research data lifecycle, and take part in early-stage activities such as proofs of concept, pilots, and technical evaluations.
- Service Design & Early Development: You’ll contribute to the design and early development of new services. This includes translating research needs into technical requirements, supporting prototyping activities, and helping assess technical feasibility. You’ll work on services that span the full research data lifecycle, from acquisition and processing through to sharing and preservation.
- Research Community Engagement: A key part of the role involves engaging with researchers, research communities, and national research and education networks (NRENs). You’ll work to understand complex data-driven workflows and ensure these needs are reflected in the services being designed and developed.
- Integration & Infrastructure Collaboration: You’ll support the evaluation and integration of data platforms, analytics tools, repositories, and research computing environments. You’ll also contribute to understanding how services can operate within federated environments, including authentication and authorisation infrastructures (AAI), ensuring they are secure, interoperable, and scalable.
- Collaboration & Project Contribution: You’ll work as part of a distributed, international team, contributing technical input to European projects focused on research data and AI-enabled infrastructures. You’ll collaborate closely with internal teams, partners, and external stakeholders to move ideas from concept through to implementation.
About You
You may be a good fit if you…
- Have a technical background in areas such as networking, identity and access management, data management, cloud, or security
- Understand the research data lifecycle and the role of data services in modern research
- Have experience or exposure to research data infrastructures, research computing, or data-intensive environments
- Can translate research or user needs into clear technical requirements
- Enjoy working collaboratively with distributed, international teams
- Are curious, proactive, and motivated to explore new technologies and ideas
Desirable (but not essential)
- Experience working with European or nationally funded research projects
- Familiarity with the research and education networking community (e.g. NRENs or federated infrastructures)
- Understanding of authentication and authorisation infrastructures (AAI)
- Interest or experience in AI-driven research or data services
- Exposure to service design, prototyping, or early-stage service development
- A Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Computer Science or Data Science
Application Process
Applications close on Sunday, 14th June 2026, although we may close earlier if we receive sufficient interest. Every application is reviewed by a member of our team. Our selection process is designed to be transparent and respectful of your time, and includes:
- An initial call with a recruiter (for longlisted candidates)
- A 30-minute interview with the hiring manager
- A final in-person interview at our Cambridge office
Why GÉANT?
GÉANT is Europe’s leading collaboration on e-infrastructure and services for research and education. We connect over 50 million users across 10,000 institutions, enabling breakthroughs in science, education, and innovation. Working here means being part of something bigger. You’ll contribute to projects that have real-world impact, from climate research to space exploration.
What We Offer
- Flexible hybrid working (3 days in office)
- 31 days holiday + public holidays
- Annual learning budget and conference support
- A mission-driven culture with real-world impact
Once you will apply, GEANT Association will act as the controller of your data - our full candidate Privacy Notice can be found here:
Research Applications & Data Services Officer in Cambridge employer: GÉANT
At GÉANT, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in either Cambridge or Amsterdam where innovation meets collaboration. Our mission-driven culture fosters employee growth through flexible hybrid working arrangements, generous holiday allowances, and dedicated support for professional development, all while contributing to impactful projects that advance research and education across Europe.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Applications & Data Services Officer in Cambridge
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, dive into GEANT's projects and values. This will help you connect your skills with their mission and show that you're genuinely interested in what they do.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions related to research data and technology. Think about how your past experiences align with the role and be ready to share specific examples.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn. They can give you insider tips about the interview process and what it’s really like to work at GEANT.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a nice touch that keeps you fresh in their minds!
We think you need these skills to ace Research Applications & Data Services Officer in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Research Applications & Data Services Officer role. Highlight your technical background and any relevant experience with research data infrastructures, as this will show us you understand what we're looking for.
Show Your Curiosity:We love candidates who are curious and proactive! In your application, share examples of how you've explored emerging technologies or tackled complex problems in the past. This will help us see your passion for the field.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to explain your skills and experiences, especially when translating research needs into technical requirements. We appreciate clarity!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.
How to prepare for a job interview at GÉANT
✨Know Your Tech
Make sure you brush up on the latest technologies related to research data and AI. Be ready to discuss how these can be applied in real-world scenarios, especially in relation to the research data lifecycle. This shows your curiosity and technical mindset.
✨Engage with the Community
Familiarise yourself with the research communities and networks relevant to the role. Prepare to talk about how you would engage with researchers and understand their complex workflows. This demonstrates your collaborative spirit and commitment to user needs.
✨Translate Needs into Solutions
Practice articulating how you would translate research needs into clear technical requirements. Think of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully done this. It’s all about showing that you can bridge the gap between research and technology.
✨Show Your Collaborative Side
Since this role involves working with distributed international teams, be prepared to share examples of how you've collaborated effectively in the past. Highlight your ability to work in diverse teams and contribute to projects that span different cultures and perspectives.
