Self-Directed Onboarding Guide for Research Field Matter Data Stewards and Data Managers

Effective data stewardship is the foundation for high-quality, reusable, and interoperable research data. Before diving into the matter-specific requirements, it is essential for you as a newly hired data steward or data manager to understand the general principles of data stewardship and research data management (RDM). This onboarding guide is divided into two parts. The first part of the guide provides a structured introduction to the key responsibilities of data stewards, metadata fundamentals, and open science principles. By gaining a solid understanding of these core concepts, you will be better equipped to implement domain-specific practices, such as data specifications, metadata standards, and policies. The second part of this guide focuses on matter-related challenges, including existing strategies, the NeXus common data format, Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELNs), and relevant policies. This structured approach ensures you develop the requisite understanding of research data management, enabling them to support researchers effectively and contribute to a sustainable data ecosystem in matter sciences.