Open Science Services at ZALF

Compared  to universities, ZALF is a small research institution with about 170 scientific employees and about 400 employees in total. (financial differences?) Service departments like the central library   and the data management department support researchers during their research process for example in literature search or central data acquisition. Research at ZALF is characterized by applied and interdisciplinary topics, collaborations within ZALF and with other institutions and production of many experimental and modeled  data, for example in long term field experiments.

Researchers are often obliged not only towards ZALF but also towards other research institutions due to joint appointments or professorships. Open Science at ZALF could facilitate collaboration between research groups both within ZALF and with other   institutions. Less beaurocracy with data sharing agreements makes exchange of information faster. Until now, collaborations with big institutions are complicated, as the scientists themselves are officially not allowed to sign collaboration contracts. 

According to ODI, "the best outcomes are realised when open data is used to enable, enhance and unlock the wider potential through focused collaboration" How can we improve agriculture, food and nutrition with open data? | Open Data Institute 2015 https://theodi.org/how-improve-agriculture-food-nutrition-open-data 

As it is common in other research facilities, scientists at ZALF are highly mobile. To avoid data loss or complications during staff exchange, it is important to discover all relevant (which data is important?) data produced at ZALF and to take care of their long-term storage.