PaN-Space

PaN-Space is a dedicated user environment designed to bring together the diverse services of the PaNOSC EOSC Node, from data repositories and virtual compute environments to training catalogues, under a single, coherent interface aligned with FAIR principles and Open Science. While PaNOSC already provides critical resources for Photon and Neutron (PaN) science, these services often operate in silos, creating friction for researchers who need to navigate multiple platforms. PaN-Space removes that friction by offering a seamless environment where scientists can discover, access, analyse, and reuse data and analysis services without unnecessary technical overhead.

The core idea is straightforward: users can search across PaNOSC data repositories, collect datasets onto a personal dashboard, and link them directly to analysis services from the PaNOSC service catalogue. Projects can then be shared with colleagues, simplifying collaboration across the EOSC Node. The platform also goes a step further by suggesting relevant analysis methods, computing environments, and training materials based on the datasets a researcher has selected.

PaN-Space builds on HELIPORT, an existing open-source project developed at HZDR under the Helmholtz Metadata Collaboration, extending it to meet the full requirements of the EOSC Node PaNOSC. It integrates deeply with PaNOSC services including PaN-Finder, PaN-Training, and VISA virtual research environments, while adopting federated login systems compliant with EOSC AAI standards.

The project will deliver two main outcomes: a fully revamped PaN-Space as a central PaNOSC service, and a significantly more configurable, open-source HELIPORT that other EOSC nodes can readily reuse. Learning paths and materials will be developed together with PaNOSC partners for services such as PaN-Finder (ESS and ESRF), PaN-Training (HZDR), and VISA (ILL and ESRF). Throughout, the design is guided by direct feedback from researchers at PaNOSC facilities, keeping the focus on an intuitive experience that lowers the learning curve for complex datasets.

To demonstrate the practical value of the EOSC Federation, PaN-Space will provide a demo space built around a concrete scientific use case: retrieving datasets from PaN-Finder, analysing them in VISA environments, and sharing results across disciplines. This use case will serve as a pilot for onboarding PaN-Space as a service to the EOSC Federation, with best-practice documentation and tutorials contributed to the EOSC Academy.

PaN-Space directly supports EU Open Science policy and EOSC Federation objectives by tackling three critical priorities: data interoperability, FAIR compliance, and cross-border research collaboration. The project aligns with the EU’s Digital Decade targets and the European Research Area (ERA) Policy Agenda, both of which call for seamless access to research data and infrastructures. By consolidating PaNOSC’s fragmented services into a unified, FAIR-aligned platform, PaN-Space ensures that PaN data, critical for fields like materials science, energy, and health, are more discoverable, reusable, and interoperable across European research infrastructures.

For researchers, the benefits are immediate: no more juggling multiple platforms and authentication systems. The centralised dashboard and federated login via EOSC AAI streamline the full workflow from data retrieval to analysis and sharing, accelerating scientific discovery and fostering the cross-disciplinary collaboration that sits at the heart of Horizon Europe and the EOSC Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda. PaNOSC partners gain increased visibility for their services, improved data management practices, and reduced redundancy in infrastructure development.

By contributing training materials and best practices to PaN-Training, PaN-Space supports the EOSC Partnership’s goal of building digital skills and fostering a culture of Open Science. The open-source release of the platform ensures that other EOSC nodes can adopt and adapt the solution, strengthening the EOSC Federation’s capacity to serve diverse scientific communities and reinforcing Europe’s position in open, data-intensive research.

PaN-Space’s modular architecture separates core functionalities (authentication, search, and dashboard) from domain-specific services (PaN-Finder, VISA), allowing other EOSC nodes and research infrastructures to adopt the platform incrementally with minimal customisation. Open standards including EOSC AAI, FAIR metadata, and REST APIs guarantee interoperability with existing and future EOSC services, while an open-source release under the GNU General Public License removes adoption barriers for third parties wishing to extend or adapt the platform.

Sustainability is secured through institutional commitment and community governance. HZDR and PaNOSC partners will maintain the core infrastructure after the project concludes, with costs absorbed into existing operational budgets. Integration with PaNOSC’s long-term service catalogue ensures continuous alignment with EOSC’s evolution, and training materials and documentation hosted on the Helmholtz Codebase, PaN-Training, and Zenodo provide onboarding support for new adopters.