People You Should KnowInterview with Dr. Juliane Jacob, from the Center for Sustainable Research Data Management (ZFDM)

10 January 2023

Photo: Jacob

In our monthly series People You Should Know, we introduce people from Hamburg’s academic community who may be helpful contacts. It also gives you the opportunity to learn more about various aspects of research and higher education management. Today we are speaking with Dr. Juliane Jacob, from the Center for Sustainable Research Data Management (ZFDM).

What exactly do you do and why is your work relevant for doctoral and early career researchers?

I work as a research associate at the Center for Sustainable Research Data Management (ZFDM). My colleagues and I support members of Universität Hamburg in all matters relating to research data and research information. Especially for students and early career researchers, research data management (RDM) is a topic in which the individual tasks can be challenging. We show in a practical way that RDM saves time and at the same time improves quality, which is helpful for theses. The ZFDM offers individual advice, workshops and helpful tools. More information on the homepage.

What made you go into this field / how did you come to take on this position?

As a geoscientist, I only subconsciously dealt with RDM aspects during my doctorate. However, I practiced RDM unconsciously on a daily basis, for example backup strategies and documentation. My dissertation is written cumulatively and the articles are published "open access". After my doctorate, I applied for a research associate position at the ZFDM, among other things, to bring the relevance of RDM and openness closer to early career researchers.

What are the 3 most important pieces of advice for doctoral and early career researchers?

The needs of early career researchers are very individual. First of all, it can be helpful to motivate yourself with visualized goals. Second, it helps to look for a productive (private) network and mentor. This keeps you focused, even when impassability occurs. Thirdly, Universität Hamburg offers an excellent infrastructure, so that every early career researcher can find suitable offers, e.g. from the ZFDM.