The Jewish Digital Cultural Recovery Project (JDCRP) Foundation is seeking a Data Officer to support the next phase of the development of its digital data platform and archival repository. This is a limited-term contract, with the possibility of extension depending on funding availability.
About Us
The Jewish Digital Cultural Recovery Project Foundation, founded in 2019 by the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) and the Commission for Art Recovery (CAR), is based in Berlin, Germany. The Foundation is building a central, scalable digital data repository for archival source material documenting the cultural plunder conducted during the National Socialist regime.
The platform includes research and educational initiatives that explore the theft and recovery of Jewish cultural property and reconstruct the rich cultural contributions of European Jewry before WWII. State-of-the-art technology enables cross-archival linking, improved search and matching capabilities across datasets, and integration of historical documentation from institutions across the globe. The platform serves both experts and the general public.
Role Overview
The Data Officer plays a central role in developing the JDCRP digital infrastructure. Working in close collaboration with external vendors, art historians, provenance researchers, and IT and OCR experts, the Data Officer will support the platform’s capacity to link, search, and visualize archival records of looted art and cultural property.
The position entails technical implementation and coordination responsibilities: developing and improving data models, evaluating archival records for digitization, coordinating OCR and post-processing workflows, and supporting data integration efforts. The Data Officer will work with the JDCRP Executive Board to advise on technical strategy, data modeling, and next steps in system development.
Key Responsibilities
Data Modeling and Platform Development:
Develop and enhance data models (including graph-based models) to support search, matching, and linking across disparate archival datasets.
Identify and implement improvements to the underlying data infrastructure to optimize archival integration and querying.
Enhance, support and coordinate the development of API connections between the data repository and the front-end interface, particularly using tools like Spinque Desk and Microsoft Azure.
Collaborate with external service providers (front- and back-end) to ensure technical implementation aligns with JDCRP objectives.
Archival Processing and Integration:
Evaluate archival records for digitization and integration into the JDCRP repository.
Develop strategies for integrating diverse data sources while ensuring consistency and sustainability.
Supervise and support students or assistants working on post-OCR data processing, improving quality, accuracy, and alignment with JDCRP standards.
Hands-on data extraction, transformation, adaptation and loading, enabling the data platform and matching algorithms to be enhanced and to integrate additional data types and sources.
Proactively liaise with OCR and data-processing experts to streamline workflows and enhance automation.
Strategic and Administrative Support:
Provide technical advice and input to the Executive Board on data, search and linking strategy and decision-making.
Contribute to internal planning documents and grant reports related to digital platform development and technical progress.
Help ensure technical interoperability with partner institutions and archives.
Support the writing of communications and descriptions of the data platform and technical solutions, in collaboration with the communication officer and executive board.
Support JDCRP’s IT administration activities as needed.
Reporting Activities:
Write reports on IT-related activities for grant-related project activities and for purposes of outreach.
Qualifications
Required:
Experience developing and maintaining structured data models, including graph databases and linked data.
Strong understanding of data integration and querying tools, with hands-on experience in developing APIs.
Familiarity with FAIR principles or other Semantic Web standards.
Experience with ETL (Extract, Transfer, Load) processing and basic data pipeline setups.
Hands-on experience with platforms like Microsoft Azure, data storage solutions, and collaborative development environments.
Proven ability to coordinate between technical and non-technical stakeholders, including external vendors.
Excellent organizational and communication skills in English (written and verbal).
Demonstrated ability to manage and mentor junior contributors (e.g., students or assistants).
Preferred:
Experience with OCR technology and its implementation in digital archive projects is an advantage.
Background in digital humanities, archives, art history, or provenance research.
Experience automating data ETL processes.
Experience working and developing with Airtable.
Familiarity with archival metadata standards and digital heritage platforms.
German language proficiency is an advantage.
What We Offer A key role in a dynamic, international non-profit organization.
A limited-term contract with the potential for extension, subject to funding.
Flexible working hours and the possibility of remote work.
Competitive remuneration aligned with NGO sector standards.
The opportunity to contribute to a meaningful mission with an interdisciplinary and motivated team.
Application Process
To apply, please submit your application via email to secretary@jdcrp.org. Include:
A letter of motivation
A CV
Names of three references
Relevant documentation (e.g., diplomas, recommendations)
All documents should be submitted as a single PDF file (max. 10 MB). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
The JDCRP Foundation values mutual respect, collaboration, integrity, and transparency.
Join us in our mission to recover and preserve cultural heritage!