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In this step we present a list of common roles and resources involved in the FAIRification process listed by expertise and by FAIR principle. This will help you identify which team members and expertise are required and available (or missing) in your team.

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Expertise requirements for this step 

TODOTo be able to define your team, you need to know the goals and steps for your project.

  • Project manager

How to 

[Mijke: Another RDMkit page on this: https://rdmkit.elixir-europe.org/dm_coordination ]

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step 1

Define the FAIRification Objectives you want to reach in your project. These objectives define which FAIR Metroline steps are relevant and each step suggests the expertise necessary.

step 2

The table below gives an overview of the different roles a professional can have in research data management. You will find:

  • A description of the main tasks usually handled by each role.

  • A collection of research data management responsibilities for each role.

  • Links to RDMkit guidelines and advice (where applicable) on useful information for getting started with data management specific to each role.

The table below is based on De Novo, RDMkit, Netherlands eScience center and practical experience.

Expert

Description

Metroline Steps

Domain expert

Domain experts have deep knowledge and expertise in a particular domain. They have a deep understanding of the intricacies, challenges, and nuances of their field.

FAIR Data Steward/Data manager

Individuals responsible for managing and curating research or healthcare data within organizations organisations or projects. Job title and exact activities and responsibilities vary between organisations. In the Metroline steps we will refer to this role as “data steward”. Details on this role in the team are described in a separate step Have a FAIR data steward on board.

EDC system specialist

Individual who has experience with and knowledge of Electronic Data Capture (EDC) systems, such as Castor EDC, REDCAP or OpenClinica. They are in charge of setting up user access controls, data validation checks and electronic case report forms in the EDC system. They also troubleshoot problems, offer technical help to researchers , and ensure data integrity and regulatory compliance.

Information Professionals

Librarians, archivists, and information scientists involved in organizing organising and preserving data assets.

Institutional Review Board (IRB) / Medical Ethics Review Committee (METC)

Evaluate research protocols and ensure the research complies with regulatory requirements and ethical standards. For research to which the WMO (Medical Research Involving Human Subjects Act) is applicable, evaluation must be done by an accredited METC or by the CCMO (Central Committee on Research Involving Human Subjects).

IT and Systems Administrators

Professionals responsible for maintaining data infrastructure(s) and ensuring technical compatibility and accessibility for an organisation or department.

Policy maker

Decision-makers responsible for research data management policies that promote FAIR data practices within an institute.

Principal Investigator

Leads a clinical trial or research project. Responsible for following the data management requirements and guidelines of the organisation and/or funder. Decisions regarding data management are documented in the DMP (data management plan).

Researcher / scientist

Professionals involved in collecting, analyzing, and sharing data as part of a clinical trial, research project or other scientific endeavors.

Research Software Engineer

A Research Software Engineer (RSE) is a professional with in-depth knowledge of one or more research fields and expertise in software development and methodology. To address research issues and find solutions within their field of study, RSEs concentrate on creating and/or maintaining research software.

Semantic data modelling specialists

A semantic data modelling specialsit is primarily responsible for designing and implementing semantic data models. These models are a representation of knowledge and concepts in a structured format that a computer can understand. They use tools like RDF, OWL and SPARQL.

Senior expert of standards for automated access protocols and privacy preservation

Has understanding/knowledge about:

  • Global standards for data access 

Has expertise with standards for protocols for secure and automated access to sensitive data while preserving privacy. They guarantee adherence to pertinent guidelines and laws, such the GDPR.

Senior healthcare interoperability expert

Has understanding/knowledge about:

  • Global standards applicable to the data resource interoperability

A healthcare interoperability expert is responsible for ensuring smooth communication and data interchange between various healthcare systems and applications, including electronic health records and medical devices. In compliance with legal requirements, they create, put into practice, and uphold interoperability standards and protocols that facilitate the safe and effective interchange of patient data.

Trainer

Professionals involved in training and educating others, such as PhD students, postdocs, researchers, technicians and PIs. In case of FAIR related training this includes practices for managing and sharing data.

Todo:

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  • Domain expert; provides context to the FAIRification efforts from the perspective of a domain

  • Data stewards; helps defining FAIR objectives to meet the project’s, funder’s, journal’s and/or institute’s requirements

  • FAIR experts,such as metadata/semantics specialists; helps specifying the metadata/modeling aspects of FAIR objectives

  • ELSI experts, help identifying the legal compliance and ethical aspects of your FAIR objectives.

FAIR experts

It is the responsibility of a FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) specialist to ensure digital assets and data follow the FAIR principles. Tasks involve developing and implementing plans to enhance data discoverability via metadata enhancement and standardised identifiers, ensuring accessibility by instituting appropriate data storage and access methods and fostering interoperability by adopting shared data standards and formats.

ELSI experts

Assessing and handling the ELSI (Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications) components of research in domains like genetics and medicine falls under the purview of an ELSI specialist. They offer direction on how to handle difficult ethical dilemmas involving data sharing, privacy, informed consent, and possible societal repercussions of research findings.

Table from the dreamteam source

Areas of expertise

Roles

Privacy and security

  • Privacy and compliance officer

  • Data protection officer

  • Legal counsel

  • Information security specialist

  • Knowledge security officer

  • Cybersecurity analyst

  • IT security specialist

Ethics

  • Research ethics committee member

  • Research ethics board member

  • Ethicist / Ethics adviser

  • Diversity and inclusion officer

Commercialisation / valorsation

  • Business developer

  • Intellectual property specialist

  • Legal counsel

  • Technology transfer officer

  • Entrepreneurship advisor

  • Market and investment analysts

  • Product developer

  • Marketing and sales professionals

Citizen science / societal engegement

  • Community Engagement Specialist

  • Community Manager

  • Publication engagement officer

  • Participatory research manager

Communication, education and outreach

  • Communication Specialist

  • Science writer / editor

  • Event manager

  • Education & outreach coordinator

Data and software

  • Data steward

  • Data manager

  • Data curator

  • Data scientist

  • Research software engineer

Project administration

  • Project manager

  • Finance / business control

  • Contract manager

  • Research administrator

Project funding

  • Grants officer

  • Grants adviser

  • Policy and strategy adviser

Infrastructure and instrumentation

  • Research infrastructure developer

  • Research application manager

  • Instrumentation engineer

  • Technician

  • Laboratory Manager

  • Infrastructure manager

Practical Examples from the Community

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