Master in Data Management and Curation (MDMC)

Become an Expert in FAIR Data Management and Curation with Area Science Park & SISSA

Advanced, hands-on training for the next generation of data professionals, delivered in the heart of Trieste's renowned scientific ecosystem. 

In today's data-driven world, the ability to manage, curate, and leverage data effectively is paramount. Both scientific research and industry increasingly demand professionals skilled in making data Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR). Furthermore, in today's AI-driven landscape, mastering data management is absolutely critical to safeguarding the integrity and security of the algorithms we increasingly rely on. 

The 10-months professional course “Master in Data Management and Curation (MDMC)”, a unique joint initiative by Area Science Park and SISSA, is designed to equip you with the advanced, practical skills needed to excel in this critical field.

Ready to Shape the Future of Data?

Why MDMC?

  • Prestigious Partnership: Learn from two leading institutions, both founded in Trieste in 1978: Area Science Park, a national public research organisation, which has always been a link between research, innovation and industry, and SISSA, one of the six Italian school of excellence, which is a scientific center of advanced research in mathematics, physics and neuroscience within the national and international academic scene. Both share the scientific objective of doing frontier research in the field of Artificial Intelligence. This unique collaboration offers an unparalleled learning environment.   
  • Specialized FAIR & Open Science Focus: Gain in-depth expertise in FAIR principles and Open Science methodologies, skills highly sought after by research institutions and funding bodies across Europe.   
  • Unique Hands-On Approach: Go beyond theory with our innovative "FAIR-by-design" methodology. Apply your learning during a six months extensive practical internship within real, cutting-edge research laboratories and companies.
  • Targeted Career Outcomes: Prepare for in-demand roles like Data Steward, Data Curator, Data Engineer and Research Data Manager, equipped with the practical experience needed in academia,  research infrastructures and private data-intensive organizations. 

All the information about MDMC Pilot edition 2024-2025 are available at this link.

For further information, please send and email to MDMC.

MDMC OBJECTIVES

This Master program is designed to provide you with both the theoretical foundation and the practical, hands-on skills essential for managing the entire research data lifecycle effectively and responsibly.

Upon successful completion of the Master in Data Management and Curation, you will be able to:

  • Master FAIR Principles & Open Science: Deeply understand and advocate for the principles of Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR) data within the broader context of Open Science methodologies and European initiatives like EOSC (European Open Science Cloud), European Commission funders and others.   
  • Implement FAIR-by-Design Workflows: Design, implement, and manage practical "FAIR-by-design" data workflows and pipelines  directly within research environments, ensuring data is managed correctly from collection to publication and beyond.
  • Develop Comprehensive Data Management Plans (DMPs): Create, evaluate, and execute robust Data Management Plans tailored to specific research projects, addressing funder requirements and best practices.   
  • Manage Metadata Effectively: Define, create, enrich, and utilize rich metadata using appropriate standards, schemas, ontologies, and vocabularies to ensure data discoverability and interoperability.   
  • Utilize Data Management Tools & Technologies: Gain practical experience with essential tools, software (including Python for data management ), database systems, data formats, and potentially cloud environments for data acquisition, curation, analysis, and storage.   
  • Curate and Preserve Research Data: Apply best practices for data curation, including data quality assessment , documentation , storage , and long-term preservation strategies using appropriate repositories.   
  • Navigate Legal & Ethical Frameworks: Understand and apply principles related to data protection (e.g., GDPR ), intellectual property, data licensing , and research ethics, particularly when handling sensitive data.   
  • Understand AI Fundamentals and Applications: Grasp the core concepts of Artificial Intelligence and explore its practical applications in various scientific domains, bridging the gap between AI theory and real-world scientific challenges.
  • Perform Foundational Data Analysis: Apply introductory statistical analysis and machine learning concepts to explore and understand research data.   
  • Operate as a Data Steward: Be prepared to act as a skilled Data Steward, Data Engineer or Research Data Manager within research institutions or other data-intensive organizations. This professional course provides the opportunity to acquire robust technical competencies (e.g., in data handling, metadata management, tool usage) that can be applied at various levels, allowing you to tailor your positioning within the Data Steward role based on your career aspirations and the specific needs of the organization.