Research Knowledge Engineer (m/f/x)

In order to fill a fixed-term position in part-time, full-time (39.83 hours/week = 100%;) 01.07.2026, we are looking for 1

Research Knowledge Engineer (m/f/x)

CERES is a Central Research Unit of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum. It currently brings together over 50 researchers, making it one of the largest centers for the comparative study of religion in Europe. The position will be filled within the CRC 1475 “Metaphors of Religion” combining digital research methods with philology and religious studies to study the role of metaphors in religious communication. Based on a linguistically and historically wide-ranging corpus (including Avestan, Sanskrit, Hebrew, Arabic, Classical Chinese, Tibetan, and several European languages; from the second millennium BCE to the present), the CRC comparatively analyzes metaphors across traditions such as Christianity, Islam, Zoroastrianism, Jainism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism. Its research is strongly collaborative, grounded in a shared digital infrastructure and a common methodological and theoretical framework. Further details can be found at https://sfb1475.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/Subject to a
pending funding commitment from the German Research Foundation (DFG) expected in mid-May 2026, the CRC 1475 is seeking to fill a position as a research knowledge engineer in subproject Information Infrastructure (INF) under the direction of Prof. Dr. Volkhard Krech, Prof. Dr. Christoph Sander, and Prof. Dr. Frederik Elwert.

The Ruhr-Universität Bochum is one of Germany’s leading research universities, addressing the whole range of academic disciplines. A highly dynamic setting enables researchers and students to work across the traditional boundaries of academic subjects and faculties. To create knowledge networks within and beyond the university is Ruhr-Universität Bochum’s declared aim.

• OWL compliant ontology modeling of linguistic and conceptual metaphors in exchange with domain experts
• Modeling a semantic thesaurus reflecting requirements and theoretical considerations of the involved subjects and domains

• MA degree in Digital Humanities, or MA degree in either a humanities discipline or a computer science related discipline with documented experience in digital humanities (PhD desirable)
• Knowledge of relevant upper and domain ontologies in the humanities (e.g., CIDOC CRM, FRBRoo, BFO)
• Profound knowledge of relevant Semantic Web technologies, interoperability formats, and Linked Open Data workflows (RDF, SPARQL, OWL, SHACL etc.)
• Good communication skills and abilities to explain abstract technicalities for non-DH domain experts
• Interest in conceptual metaphor theory and religious studies
• Willingness to contribute to academic publications and presentations
• Very good knowledge of English or German, and a willingness to learn the other language
• In addition, the following qualifications are desirable:
• Experience with semantic taxonomies, e.g. in SKOS
• Knowledge of linguistic and/or religious studies related concepts and research, esp. related to (religious) metaphors
• Experience with relevant NFDI consortia and their data federation pipelines
• Ongoing or completed Ph.D. in a digital humanities related subject