Open Science Data Steward

Full Job Description

About Astera

Astera is a private foundation on a mission to steer science and technology toward an abundant future for all. We believe the coming years will bring an era of unprecedented scientific and technological advancement as exponential progress in AI converges with central advances in other fields to dramatically accelerate innovation. This inflection point provides an unparalleled opportunity to fundamentally rethink the institutions, systems, and tools that drive scientific progress. We are searching for visionary leaders who are compelled by the challenge of driving transformative change in the way science is funded, conducted, and communicated. You can read more about our mission, vision, and programming at astera.org/vision.

Position Summary

Astera is hiring an Open Science Data Steward to oversee the full lifecycle of research data across its science programs — spanning life sciences, materials science, neuroscience, robotics, and atmospheric science. You'll partner with researchers on-site, uphold FAIR data standards, and help the organization navigate the balance between radical openness and responsible data sharing.

What you'll do

• Data lifecycle ownership: Own the complete lifecycle of research data — from creation through publication and archival — for the programs you support, ensuring integrity and accessibility throughout.

• Standards & documentation: Work with Astera's data steward team to maintain living documentation for data repository practices, release timing, metadata standards, and FAIR compliance.

• Researcher partnership & training: Partner with researchers to prepare and publish data to the highest standards of quality and reusability for both human and AI/ML use; train new researchers and residents on data management best practices.

• Infrastructure & pattern-spotting: Collaborate with software engineers to close technical gaps in data infrastructure, and proactively surface patterns and emerging challenges across research teams to inform organization-wide improvements.

• Responsible data sharing: Be present on-site to resolve routine compliance questions and edge cases, escalating complex or sensitive situations (privacy, safety, dual-use risk) to leadership as needed.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Science, Library Science, Data Science, or a related field (advanced degree a plus).

• 3–5+ years managing data in research organizations, academic institutions, or similarly complex data-governance environments.

• Demonstrated command of data quality, governance frameworks, and metadata standards in practice.

• Excellent communication skills, able to translate between technical data requirements and researcher needs.

• High-agency self-starter comfortable driving initiatives with minimal oversight.

Preferred:

• Experience across multiple scientific domains (life sciences, materials science, neuroscience, robotics, atmospheric science) with the ability to adapt quickly to domain-specific data challenges.

• Familiarity with the AI/ML data landscape and structuring data for ML applications.

• Experience with knowledge graphs, semantic web technologies, or open data publishing platforms.

• A track record of building data management policies, procedures, or training materials.

Location

This role is in-person at our office in Emeryville, CA.

Astera Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team.

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