We’re looking for a Head of Data Engineering (internal title: Unit Head of Data Platform) to build and lead Scilit’s dedicated data engineering function, transforming our data infrastructure into a modern, scalable platform. You’ll oversee the transition from legacy systems to cutting-edge pipelines, acquire and integrate diverse scholarly datasets, and deliver AI-ready resources that power research analytics and innovation. 

As part of our commitment to fostering a collaborative team environment, this role requires working fully on-site.

Tasks & Responsibilities

• Build and Lead the Scilit Data Engineering Function
  • Establish and lead a new dedicated data engineering team responsible for transforming Scilit’s data infrastructure and operations (solid line in Europe, dotted line in China).
  • Oversee the transition of the data operations from legacy PHP-based applications to a modern, scalable data platform purpose-built for data acquisition, processing, and analytics.
  • Manage and expand a growing team that includes a data architect, data engineers, and a data analyst—defining roles, hiring priorities, and development paths.
  • Provide technical and strategic direction to ensure high-quality engineering practices, architectural decisions, and delivery excellence.
• Scalable Data Acquisition
  • Define and implement a robust strategy for acquiring structured and unstructured scholarly content
    from APIs, open data sources, institutional repositories, and licensed datasets.
  • Identify emerging data domains relevant to publication metadata, citation networks, author disambiguation, research integrity, and scientometric indicators.
  • Lead or support negotiations with institutional and commercial partners for data access and licensing.
• Data Platform and Pipeline Development
  • Design and oversee end-to-end pipelines for data ingestion, normalization, enrichment, entity resolution, and classification.
  • Ensure systems are built with compliance, quality, and reusability in mind, aligning with standards such as FAIR principles and GDPR.
  • Optimize infrastructure and workflows for performance, scalability, and maintainability.
• Enable Strategic Data Products
  • Deliver AI-ready and analytics-ready datasets to power scientometric analytics, research
    evaluation, data intelligence, and AI / machine learning applications.
  • Collaborate closely with AI, product, and business teams to translate technical capabilities into
    data-driven features and insights.
  • Support the Scilit product management from the technical and data perspective
• Leadership & Strategic Collaboration
  • Serve as a key technical leader for Scilit and strategic partner across the organization.
  • Translate product and business needs into actionable technical roadmaps.
  • Foster a culture of innovation, technical ownership, and continuous improvement within the team and across data-driven initiatives.

Requirements

• Master’s or PhD in Computer Science (required); certifications in Data Engineering, Architecture, Project Management, or Scrum are a plus
  
• Several years’ experience spanning publishing (2–5 years), data engineering (5–10 years), software engineering (2–10 years), and leadership/project management (5–10 years)
  
• Fluency in English at C1 level
  
• Advanced skills in data pipeline architecture, database & storage technologies, data quality & governance, and programming & automation
  
• Intermediate knowledge of metadata standards and scholarly data
  
• Strong strategic thinking, leadership, and team-building skills
  
• Excellent cross-functional communication and decision-making abilities
  
• High ethical standards and awareness of compliance requirements
  

What we offer

• The opportunity to contribute to the academic/scientific community;
• Flexible working hours;
• Team bond strengthening through team-building events;
• Professional growth opportunities with our global training system;
• Working in a collaborative, diverse, and socially responsible team;
• Company retreat facility;
• Full-coverage insurance for accidents/daily sickness;
• Prime location near Basel train station and city center;
• And more

If you are interested in this position, we look forward to receiving:

• A motivational letter (EN) that briefly describes your motivations for joining MDPI
• A resume (EN) including personal information, past & current education,
• Copy of ID and Diplomas
• If available: reference letters and certificates.

About MDPI

A pioneer in scholarly open access publishing, MDPI has supported academic communities since 1996. Our mission is to foster open scientific exchange in all forms, across all disciplines. We operate more than 400 diverse, peer-reviewed, open access journals supported by over 66,000 academic editors. We serve scholars from around the world to ensure the latest research is openly and broadly available.

MDPI is headquartered in Switzerland with additional offices in Europe, Asia and North America. We are committed to ensuring that high quality research is made available as quickly as possible. We also support sustainability projects, with sustainability as a key theme in many journals and through the MDPI Sustainability Foundation.

Initiatives

At MDPI, we develop and maintain various platforms in order to better serve the scientific community. Please find here-below a list of our main platforms:

https://www.mdpi.com
https://www.mdpi.com/books/
https://sciprofiles.com
https://sciforum.net
https://www.scilit.net
https://www.preprints.org
https://encyclopedia.pub

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