RESEARCH MANAGER/DATA MANAGER 3 years

Philosophy and Social Sciences Department

Organisation/Company Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) Department Philosophy and Social Sciences Department Research Field Political sciences Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Master Positions Application Deadline 1 Nov 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Brussels) Country Belgium Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 38h Offer Starting Date 1 Dec 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

The selected candidate will be hired as a full-time Data manager at Université Libre de Bruxelles working for the Centre d’études de la vie politique (CEVIPOL) and The Social Study (TSS) 50% and 50% respectively.

As part of the research team based at CEVIPOL, the tasks to be completed will be the following.

1. Data Collection & Processing

• Supervise data collection through questionnaires (TSS)
• Label variables according to established nomenclature (TSS)
• Clean and prepare datasets after collection (TSS, CEVIPOL)

2. Research Ethics & Compliance

• Support development of Data Management Plans (CEVIPOL)
• Prepare ethics approval documentation for the PhiSoc Ethics Committee (CEVIPOL)
• Define data protection protocols for ULB's Data Protection Officer (CEVIPOL)
• Verify and forward data linkage requests to relevant authorities (Statbel, Crossroads Bank for Social Security) (TSS)

3. Open Data Implementation

• Archive data and metadata in the institutional repository (e.g. SODHA) (TSS, CEVIPOL)
• Make collected data available as open access following appropriate embargo periods (TSS, CEVIPOL)
• Prepare data and metadata for repository deposits according to FAIR principles (TSS, CEVIPOL)
• Support discussions within ULB regarding Open Data, particularly for qualitative research methods (CEVIPOL)

4. Knowledge Transfer & Promotion

• Transmit processed data to research teams (TSS)
• Promote Open Access data to various audiences including researchers, students, and media (CEVIPOL)
• Potentially serve as a Data Ambassador within ULB (CEVIPOL)

5. Support for research grant applications

• Transmit information about calls for research grants (CEVIPOL)
• Support applicants in the preparation of grant applications (CEVIPOL)

The Social Study

The Social Study (TSS) is a research platform for questionnaire-based surveys, established in 2022 by Belgium’s ten universities. A representative sample of the Belgian population - slightly over 5,000 individuals aged 16 and older - was recruited using a probabilistic sampling method based on addresses extracted from the Belgian National Register. These 5,000 panelists agreed to be part of TSS for several years and to participate in questionnaire-based surveys every six weeks (roughly eight times a year). The surveys fielded are commissioned by scientific research teams from various disciplines (economics, sociology, political science, communication, psychology, public health, criminology, ...).

TSS works with a team of experienced researchers in charge of panel, survey and data management. They are based at various universities in Belgium. The newly recruited member of staff will work at ULB (under supervision of Prof. Jean-Benoit Pilet) and will be especially involved in data management and the implementation of the Open Science Policy that TSS is implementing for all data collected via the platform. Finally, since surveys are fielded both in Dutch and French, the selected candidate may be providing some help for the linguistic quality of the questionnaires.

More information on TSS may be found on the website of the platform.

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Political Science or related disciplines (e.g. sociology)
• Demonstrated experience in data management within research contexts
• Knowledge of research ethics regulations and database management

Mobility Requirement

The selected candidate will be required to live in Belgium and come to work in Brussels. Limited telework options are available.

Scientific knowledge and skills

• Experience with data cleaning, processing, and archiving methodologies for qualitative and quantitative data in the social sciences
• Understanding of data protection regulations and implementation
• Familiarity with FAIR principles (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, Reusability)
• Knowledge of institutional repositories and Open Data practices

Specific Requirements

General knowledge and skills

• Full command of English