SCI∙IT

Scientists to Information Technology

What is SCI∙IT about?

We pair up production-ready Developers, Data Engineers and Data Scientists, with a scientific background and experience, with companies.

Scientists who have good knowledge and experience in dealing with data and data analysis are experts in demand. Therefore, transitioning from science to industry is very attractive, but often difficult to achieve.

In 2021 we are piloting with a first team of scientists.


For companies

We supply companies with highly skilled Developers, Data Engineers and Data Scientists that are production-ready from day one.

Scientists to Information Technologies!

Scientists with a solid quantitative education have strong and verifiable analytic skills, a high capacity of abstract thinking and extensive experience in data analysis.

sci•it is a program developed by indblik that helps highly qualified scientists to acquire the additional technical skills they need to deploy their analytical skills productively in a corporate environment. sci·it prepares them for the processes, requirements and objectives within companies.


Recruiting with sci•it — minimize your risk, foster quality

We minimize your personnel risk. sci·it Developers, Data Engineers and Data Scientists have a broad skill set, which depends on their specialization. They pass the following phases before starting at your company:

  • - Phase 1: Selection of candidates by sci•it
  • - Phase 2 (up to 6 months): On-the-job-training at indblik
  • - Phase 3 (up to 12 months): Assignment in your company, indblik provides technical consultancy and coaching
  • - After phase 3: you have the possibility to employ the Developer(s), Data Engineer(s) or Data Scientists(s) in your company.

In case you require candidates to have special skills, feel free to talk to us, so we can tailor our training to meet your requirements.


sci∙it Team Service

For small enterprises, startups or ongoing data projects in a corporate enterprise we assemble a whole Data Science team with the possibility to keep employing single team members or the whole team in your company. 


For scientists

We equip scientists with all the skills they need to work as Developers, Data Engineers or Data Scientists in companies.

Your path into industry

sci•it stands for „Science to Information Technologies”.

Data Science, Data Engineering and Geospatial Analytics are fast growing fields. Scientists who have good knowledge and experience in dealing with data and data analysis are experts in demand. Therefore, transitioning from science to industry is very attractive, but often difficult to achieve.


Mind the Gap

One of the biggest challenges for scientists are the fundamentally different requirements, processes and objectives within companies.


Bridge the Gap

For a successful start into industry it is important to prepare yourself for the requirements, processes and objectives that prevail there. That is exactly what sci·it offers you as a scientist:

  • ✔ Training on the Job: Building relevant skills in internal IT projects
  • ✔ Coaching on the Job: Deploying the skills in external IT projects (supported by sci·it)
  • ✔ Getting paid on the Job: Employed right from the start*

* Unlike Data Science Boot Camps, sci·it offers a regular employment without additional training costs for scientists.


sci•it in a Nutshell 

sci•it is aimed at PhDs and PostDocs with experience in data analysis and programming (e.g. R, Python or SQL) who aspire to work as Developers, Data Engineers or Data Scientists in industry.

The program consists of up to six months internal training and about one year of external project work. We accompany, guide and train scientists throughout the entire period. We can also coach you through the transition from sci·it to a subsequent job or self-employment.

sci•it scientists are employed at indblik and will be working throughout the entire program. Meanwhile, indblik offers a professional and supportive training environment with the opportunity to specialize in Data Science, Data Engineering or Geospatial Analytics.


The Program in Detail

Phase 1: Training project (up to 6 months)

  • ❯ Training in IT basics
  • ❯ Training in a specialization: 
    • ❯ Software Developer
    • ❯ Data Architect
    • ❯ Data Scientist
  • ❯ indblik training project (corresponds to a real IT project with an agile approach) 
  • ❯ Regular participation in indblik team meetings (e.g. stand-ups)  
  • ❯ Individual feedback, support and coaching throughout the entire phase
  • ❯ Working with an established project management approach (e.g. SCRUM)
  • ❯ Working remote with regular project meetings


Phase 2: Client projects (10-12 months)

  • ❯ Collaboration in external IT projects
  • ❯ Practical project experience
  • ❯ Regular participation in indblik team meetings (e.g. stand-ups)
  • ❯ Individual feedback, support and coaching throughout the entire phase
  • ❯ Depending on the project: working at the client’s or remote


sci•it-Incubator: Bring your own Idea 

sci•it offers even more exciting opportunities: Scientists participating in the sci·it program can propose an idea of their own which they would like to implement. We will check whether the idea is mature enough for prototyping. If that is the case, we will form a sci·it team to develop the prototype. The rights to the idea and the prototype will remain with the participant who proposed the idea.


Going further into industry

After completing phase 2, we support sci·it graduates in taking the next steps. They will face various opportunities:

  • ❯ Subsequent employment by the client of the external project in phase 2
  • ❯ Find a new job in IT
  • ❯ Self-employment in IT
  • ❯ Founding your own business (e.g. based on the sci·it incubator)
  • ❯ Subsequent employment at indblik

sci•it Network

From day one, sci•it offers a friendly working environment with a collegial relationship at eye level. In addition, our environment provides scientists with a network of colleagues and business contacts that will remain even after finishing the program.

Further coaching offers and regular meet-ups for sci·it alumni are part of our sci·it network culture.


Application

Send a short mail with your CV to sciit@indblik.io. Please do not include your picture, origin, or any information from the time before your studies. We will then contact you and inform you about the further procedure.

Your publications or published code are also of interest to us. You are welcome to send us relevant links.

What we are particularly interested in is your experience with quantitative analysis in your past and current work and how experienced you are in programming.

We will keep your personal information only as long as it is actually needed. If you do not participate in the program, we will immediately and completely delete your data.


Skill Profiles

Scientists who start sci·it usually have a specific competence profile. Over the course of the program this profile is expanded through courses, training projects and coachings. Here, wegive you an overview over these skill sets.

Please scroll down!

We can roughly devide the compentencies into the following areas:

  • Programming
  • Data Science
  • DevOps
  • Soft Skills

(This figure does not include all the skills that scientists may have. Many also have experience in C++ or Java.)

Before sci•it: The circles show the distribution of skill levels among potential sci·it candidates:

  • 5 ... 1 Outer circles signify a higher level of competence.
  • ■ ● ● ● ■ Darker circles include a higher number of candidates with the skill.

The Tooltips show this in detail.

After sci•it: participants have significantly improved their skills during training.

This applies in particular to the areas of Programming, DevOps and agile methods such as Scrum.

sci-it is structured in such a way that participants can expand their existing competencies while broadening their methodological skills and technological know-how.



FAQ

When talking about sci·it with potential clients, applicants and other people around us, we are often asked similar questions. We have answered the most common questions for you:


What are the benefits for us, as a client, to employ your Data Scientists / Developers?

The most important thing: We have selected and trained them. From our many years of practice, we know, unlike staffing agencies, about the work and requirements of Data Scientists and developers and know what really matters. What’s more, companies can use our experts as part of contracting or temporary staffing and employ them subsequently or immediately. This means that working with us is maximally flexible and risk-free. Plus: We have already conducted a quality check.


As a client, can we require sci-it participants to complete training tailored to our work requirements?

Yes. We will be happy to discuss the conditions with you as the client.


Aren't scientists too complicated to work with in a corporate environment?

Maybe some are. But our multi-stage selection process ensures that this is not the case with our sci-it participants.


Are scientists able to work efficiently?

Definitely yes. Many of our applicants emphasize that efficiency is very important to them and that this is a major reason why they want to move into industry. In our selection process, we emphasize choosing scientists who work efficiently.


How do you actually select the scientists?

Through several stages. In an initial interview, we clarify the candidates’ motivation and work-related mindset. After passing the first stage, candidates are given a small data science project to prove their current status in terms of technical skills, but also their development potential. The last stage is an in-depth interview, a deep dive into their data science project. Based on this, we select the best performing candidates.


How are the scientists trained?

The training consists of four components:

  1. online courses,
  2. a team training project,
  3. individual coaching sessions, and
  4. lectures by practitioners.


What are the strengths and weaknesses of scientists?

The scientists at sci-it have strong analytical skills. They quickly grasp complex issues and work their way into new contexts and technologies. Many have worked with large data sets and have a deep understanding of statistical modelling and complex analysis. All are fluent in R, Python, or both, and most have experience in machine learning. At the same time, they often lack deep knowledge of technologies and processes prevalent in the industry. For example, few are experienced in cloud computing, DevOps, or Scrum. But our scientists quickly close this knowledge gap during sci-it and are ready for production after completing their training.


Do a lot of scientists apply for sci·it?

Yes. More than we expected when starting our pilot phase.


Where are the scientists from that apply for sci·it?

Geographically, mainly from Germany. They have done research at universities, but also at well-known research centers such as the Max Planck Society or the Leibniz Association. Most have also worked abroad during their time as researchers.


How much does it cost for scientists to take part in sci∙it?

There are no training fees. Participants are fully employed from the beginning and get payed accordingly.


How much time do scientist have to invest to take part in sci∙it?

Phase I takes 3 to 6 months, phase II takes 10 to 12 months. Both phases have to be completed. Hence, in total sci∙it takes 13 to 18 months and it’s full-time.


Need candidates to speak German at an advanced level?

Yes. At the moment we only cooperate with customers from Germany. Thus, German at an advanced level is mandatory.


Contact

Dr. Naomi Radke
Data Scientist

+49 (0) 971 785 273 34
naomi.radke@indblik.io


Dr. Sten Zeibig
Managing Director

+49 (0) 971 785 587 97
sten.zeibig@indblik.io


Downloads

Info sheet for companies
Info sheet for scientists