Data Service Manager – AI Factory (RE4) (Reference: 226_26_AII_DSM)
Position: Data Service Manager – AI Factory (RE4)
Closing Date: Thursday, 21 May 2026 | Starting Date: 1 June 2026
The Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC) is a leading European research infrastructure that hosts MareNostrum, one of the most powerful supercomputers in Europe. BSC combines HPC service provision and R&D for life, earth, and engineering sciences, employing over 1000 staff from 60 countries.
BSC is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, race, religion, or other protected characteristics.
Key Duties
* Define and drive the strategic direction of the Data Innovation Group, aligned with AI Institute's mission and priorities.
* Lead, develop, and mentor a multidisciplinary team of engineers, data stewards, and governance specialists; foster a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth.
* Represent Data Innovation Group in BSC's senior leadership forums and contribute to center-wide technology and data strategy planning.
* Stay current with developments in research data infrastructure, information security, and applicable regulatory frameworks; translate emerging trends into actionable recommendations for BSC leadership.
* Represent BSC in relevant national and international forums related to research data and computing infrastructure.
* Oversee the planning, execution, and delivery of the group's project portfolio, resource alignment, and quality of outputs.
* Manage team growth in line with operational demand; define staffing requirements, lead hiring processes, and onboard new team members.
* Develop and maintain operational processes, governance documentation, and service standards; drive continuous improvement across all operational areas.
* Oversee budgeting, procurement, and contract negotiations for external services, tools, and partnerships within the group's scope.
* Define and monitor key performance indicators for DIG services; report progress and risks to senior leadership on a regular basis.
* Define and maintain institutional frameworks for data governance, information security, and research compliance, ensuring alignment with applicable regulations and certification standards.
* Chair or participate in governance committees responsible for data access, research ethics review, and information security oversight.
* Oversee the development of policies, procedures, and control frameworks that enable research departments to handle sensitive data securely and in compliance with legal obligations.
* Ensure that data protection obligations—including impact assessments, processing records, and breach response procedures—are maintained across all DIG-supported activities.
* Serve as the primary liaison between DIG and institutional teams, including Data Management, Innovation, Operations, Legal and DPO, coordinating shared responsibilities and resolving cross‑functional dependencies.
* Work closely with department heads and principal investigators to understand their data and infrastructure needs and ensure DIG services address them effectively.
* Identify and coordinate cross‑departmental initiatives, creating opportunities for shared infrastructure, reduced duplication, and improved alignment across BSC.
* Build and maintain strong working relationships with external partners, including research computing organizations, public administration, infrastructure providers, and regulatory bodies at the European level.
* Participate in relevant IT governance processes and contribute to institutional planning activities as required.
Qualifications
* Education
o MSc in Computer Science, Data Science, Information Systems, or a closely related field.
o Additional training or qualifications in information security, data governance, or research management is an asset.
* Essential Knowledge and Professional Experience
o At least 10 years of experience in technology leadership roles, with demonstrated responsibility for data infrastructure, information security, or research computing.
o Proven experience managing multidisciplinary teams and delivering complex technology projects in a research, academic, or public sector environment.
o Solid understanding of information security management frameworks, with experience leading or contributing to certification or audit processes.
o Working knowledge of data protection law and its application in research contexts, including impact assessment methodology and processing records management.
o Track record of successful coordination across technical and non‑technical stakeholders, including legal, compliance, and executive audiences.
o Experience defining and implementing data governance processes, including access control, data classification, and audit logging.
o Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of Spanish and Catalan is an asset.
* Additional Knowledge and Professional Experience
o Familiarity with secure research data environment standards and frameworks (e.g., Five Safes model or equivalent).
o Experience with high-performance computing (HPC) or cloud-based research infrastructure.
o Knowledge of EU regulatory frameworks relevant to research data, including GDPR, the EU AI Act, and sector-specific requirements.
o Experience managing vendor relationships and negotiating service agreements for external technology providers.
o Experience working with European research infrastructure organizations or international research computing partnerships.
* Competences
o Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to coordinate across organizational boundaries and build consensus among stakeholders with differing priorities.
o Clear and effective communication, able to convey technical requirements to non‑technical audiences and translate policy obligations into operational practice.
o Strategic thinking combined with attention to implementation detail and operational rigor.
o Ability to manage competing priorities and maintain delivery quality under institutional and regulatory time pressure.
o Commitment to data security, research ethics, and regulatory compliance as core professional values.
o Ability to work effectively in a multicultural and international environment.
Job Conditions
* Position located at BSC within the Directors Department.
* Full‑time contract (35h/week) with flexible working hours, extensive training, restaurant tickets, private health insurance, and relocation support.
* Open‑ended contract duration linked to project and budget.
* Holidays: 22 days of annual leave + 6 personal days + 24th and 31st December as per collective agreement.
* Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience, adjusted for cost of living in Barcelona.
* Starting date: 01/06/2026.
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