Role Description Data Representative¶
(Version as of July 8th 2025)
In this document, the RDM team summarizes the role of the data representative at UFZ from the RDM teams point of view, including tasks and responsibilities. The role of the data representative is defined in the RDM Policy:
Each department in the UFZ appoints a data representative (Intranet), who receives ongoing training through suitable RDM courses. This person supports the respective department with respect to data management matters, serves as a contact person for the RDM board representatives of the respective research unit, and records and communicates needs related to data management to the RDM team. (RDM Policy 3.3)
Who?¶
Each department appoints at least one data representative. Data representatives act at the interface between scientific and technical staff and are trained in department-specific data processing from both technical and scientific perspectives. Data representatives have a good understanding of RDM basics (data management cycle, metadata, etc.) and deepen this knowledge through regular training and mutual exchange. Data representatives are appointed by mutual agreement with the persons appointed for this purpose, and they receive the necessary support and resources for their work, both from their department and the RDM team. An overview of the data representatives can be found on the intranet.
What?¶
Data representatives are the interface between their own department and the RDM team and often take on a mediating role. They are responsible for forwarding information from the RDM team, such as upcoming training activities, workshops, relevant conferences, or RDM regulations (e.g. the RDM Policy). Within their own department, they are the first point of contact for RDM-related projects, problems, and needs, and establish contact with the RDM team as needed. They support the RDM board member of their research unit. Typical tasks include reviewing data management plans (DMPs), identifying storage resources for projects, using data management tools (for geodata the SDI, for time series data time.IO, for sensor management SMS), and applying metadata to describe research data. In colaboration with the library representative of their department, they support in the publication of datasets. Data representatives maintain collegial exchange within the department and with other data representatives. They also support department heads/assistants with onboarding and offboarding (link will follow) of staff regarding RDM-relevant topics.
Support¶
Data representatives are supported in their work at UFZ by various structures. The RDM Guidelines serve as the knowledge base for all RDM-relevant information on RDM basics, RDM infrastructures, and the documentation of RDM services offered at UFZ. Data representatives can also find information in the RDM Guidelines on Standard Operating Procedures and available RDM trainings.
Support and contact requests to RDM are made by data representatives via
To stay up to date with changes in the RDM landscape and to foster collegial exchange, two annual meetings are held, one in person and one as an online event. For collegial exchange and contact with RDM, data representatives have access to a Matrix room for networking and a Zoom channel for information sharing from WKDV. The mailing list
is used by RDM to regularly inform all data representatives about new developments in research data management. For reaching representatives within a RU, please use datareps-ruX@ufz.de, where X stands for the RU number, e.g., for RU6: