STUDENT ASSISTANT (all genders) - DATA SPACE INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

In the European research project CEADS (Common European Agricultural Data Space) we are building the technical infrastructure for a federated agricultural data space. Fraunhofer IESE is responsible for the technical architecture and the reference implementation. Data spaces are infrastructures that let organisations exchange data without giving up control over it: who may access which data under which conditions is enforced technically rather than only agreed contractually. The technical basis is the Dataspace Protocol (DSP) and the Eclipse Dataspace Components (EDC) — an open Java ecosystem that is currently the European reference for data space connectors.

Be part of change

You will build and run the CEADS data space demonstrator: a permanently running reference environment in which several participants actually exchange data with each other. The demonstrator is how we show that the architecture works — to project partners, to the Commission, and to ourselves.

What comes up in practice changes as the environment grows. Typical tasks:

• Setting up, operating and automating the deployment so that partners can rebuild it without our help
• Configuring and extending the connectors for new exchange scenarios
• Sample data and small applications that act as data providers and consumers against the environment
• Documentation that others can follow, so that procedures stay repeatable
• Debugging a distributed system in which several components interact

Where your focus ends up depends in part on what suits you and what you enjoy.

What you contribute

• Studies in computer science or a related field, bachelor's from the 3rd semester onwards, or master's
• Confident with Java and Gradle or Maven
• Practical experience with Git, containers and the command line
• You have got something running on your own before — a personal project, an internship, a non-trivial course project
• Willingness to work your way into an unfamiliar, large open-source codebase
• Good English (project language, documentation). German is useful but not required

Nice to have:

• Experience with REST APIs, CI pipelines or infrastructure automation
• Kubernetes or Helm
• Interest in distributed systems, identity and authorisation concepts
• Prior contact with data spaces, Gaia-X, EDC or related topics — not required, we will get you up to speed

What we offer

• Work on a European data infrastructure that is meant to run productively beyond the end of the project
• Current open standards and technologies with relevance well beyond the agricultural domain
• Ownership of a clearly defined area rather than assisting work
• Close supervision and regular technical feedback
• The option of a thesis — both bachelor's and master's theses are possible. Suitable topics emerge from the project work and are shaped together.
• Flexible hours, and we work around exam periods
• Paid at the standard student assistant rates, graded by degree held

How to apply

Send us a short CV and, if you have one, a link to code you have written (GitHub, GitLab, coursework).

We do not need a cover letter. Instead, answer two questions briefly — a few sentences each is enough:

1. What technical problem did you last spend more than a day stuck on, and how did you solve it?

2. What interests you about this position? If it is mainly the Java and infrastructure side and the agricultural topic means little to you, feel free to say so.

The weekly working time is 39 hours. This position is also available on a part-time basis. We value and promote the diversity of our employees' skills and therefore welcome all applications – regardless of age, gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, ideology, disability, sexual orientation and identity. Severely disabled persons are given preference in the event of equal suitability. Our tasks are diverse and adaptable – for applicants with disabilities, we work together to find solutions that best promote their abilities. Remuneration according to the general works agreement for employing assistant staff.

With its focus on developing key technologies that are vital for the future and enabling the commercial utilization of this work by business and industry, Fraunhofer plays a central role in the innovation process. As a pioneer and catalyst for groundbreaking developments and scientific excellence, Fraunhofer helps shape society now and in the future. 

Ready for a change? Then apply now and make a difference! Once we have received your online application, you will receive an automatic confirmation of receipt. We will then get back to you as soon as possible and let you know what happens next.

 

For questions, please contact:

Bernd Rauch

[email protected]

Fraunhofer Institute for Experimental Software Engineering IESE 

www.iese.fraunhofer.de 

Requisition Number: 85781                Application Deadline: 10/31/2026