How to apply for Working Student - Data Protection (f/m/x)

About IONITY

IONITY builds and operates a high-power charging network for electric vehicles across Europe. The company's focus is on making long-distance EV travel practical. A working student here supports data protection compliance in a company that handles user data from charging sessions and customer accounts.

About the role

You will work directly with the Data Protection Officer on daily GDPR tasks. This includes evaluating compliance requirements, maintaining the data protection management system, and doing research. The role is part-time at 20 hours per week and remote within Germany, with a minimum six-month commitment.

A typical day

A typical day might involve reviewing data protection queries from other teams, updating records in the data protection management system, and researching specific GDPR topics. You would also attend meetings with the Data Protection Officer and provide administrative support for ongoing projects. The exact routine depends on current compliance priorities, so ask about typical tasks during the interview.

Who IONITY is looking for

• Enrolled in information law, IT law, law, or a similar programme with basic academic knowledge of data protection law.
• Has very good Microsoft Office skills, especially Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Works in a reliable, structured, and independent way, and communicates well in both German and English.
• Any practical experience with data protection or project management tools like JIRA is a plus.

Tips for this application

• State your enrolment status, degree programme, and expected graduation date clearly in your CV.
• Confirm your availability for at least six months at 20 hours per week in your cover letter.
• List specific courses or academic work related to GDPR, data protection law, or IT law.
• Show Microsoft Office proficiency with concrete examples, such as using Excel for data tracking or Word for policy documents.
• If you have used JIRA or similar tools, mention the project and your tasks; if not, say you are willing to learn.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your academic knowledge of data protection law and how it applies to GDPR compliance.', 'Your ability to work in a structured and independent way, with examples from study or previous work.', 'Your language skills in German and English, and how you use them in written and spoken communication.', "Your interest in IONITY's sector and why data protection matters for an EV charging network."]

Research before applying

• IONITY's charging network size, locations, and how customers use the service.
• What types of personal data IONITY likely processes (e.g., account data, charging session data, payment data).
• The role of a Data Protection Officer in a European company and typical tasks.
• Recent GDPR enforcement cases in the mobility or energy sector to understand current compliance issues.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Basic GDPR principles and how they apply to a company like IONITY.
• Your experience with data protection management systems or similar compliance tools.
• How you handle administrative tasks and research in a structured way.
• Your familiarity with Microsoft Office and project management tools like JIRA.
• Your availability for 20 hours per week over at least six months and how you balance work with studies.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Not specifying your enrolment status or availability, which are hard requirements for this working student role.
• Claiming advanced data protection experience when you only have basic academic knowledge.
• Ignoring the German language requirement or not demonstrating both German and English skills.