SESYNC is a newly established national research center in Annapolis, MD devoted to fostering actionable synthesis research and scholarship at the interface of the social and environmental sciences (www.SESYNC.org). The Center seeks to recruit a truly outstanding Digital Information Research Specialist (DIRS) as a key member of the Centers cyberinfrastructure team. The Center is looking for a scholar-programmer who will support the Centers research activities via the assembly, organization, documentation, and maintenance of diverse datasets and attendant metadata spanning the environmental, economic, and social arenas.
The Center will have a central web-based digital data collection, complemented by data collections specific to particular socio-environmental research themes that the Center undertakes. Following community standards for digital curation, the DIRS will build and maintain collections, which will serve as data portals for Center activities and link users to a stable, annotated, and searchable index of relevant data. The DIRS will identify and deploy the best of breed technology, develop web-based applications, and work with domain scientists to ensure data is presented in the most-widely accessible form. The DIRS will also work with the Director of Cyberinfrastructure to leverage technical expertise from the University of Marylands Institute for Advanced Computer Studies (UMIACS) and Office of Information Technology (OIT) to assist with especially challenging problems of data interoperability, data fusion, and integration. The DIRS will harvest relevant data from the published literature, partner with the original researchers to integrate their data into SESYNCs data archive, and leverage the communitys skills and expertise to enhance data aggregation, integration, and access. The DIRS will be a critical team member of several simultaneously operating research projects and, as such, needs to be comfortable working closely with diverse scientists in a highly fluid, challenging research environment. This position may also require participation in developing grant proposals for the Center, as well as possible supervision of students. Qualifications: Advanced degree in environmental science with computational focus, or advanced degree in computational science, library and information science, or computer science (Ph.D. preferred, but not required). 3-5 years of relevant experience and demonstrated expertise in integrative, analytical, computational, or informatics approaches. Demonstrated knowledge of issues and technical challenges related to data management/curation, data format conversions, data storage and preservation, metadata development, and issues surrounding citation and fair use of data. Familiarity with one or more current scientific data and metadata conventions. Proficiency in ArcGIS and/or working with spatial data (e.g., remote sensing images) preferred. The ability to acquire new technological skills. Evidence of the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; strong analytical and organizational skills; ability to manage time and multiple projects in a complex, changing environment with a positive, flexible, creative, and innovative attitude. The DIRS will be appointed through the University of Maryland but will be located in our Annapolis office. The position features a competitive salary, plus benefits, in a dynamic work environment focusing on innovative, actionable science. To Apply: Preference will be given to applications received by December 31, 2011. Please email a CV, a brief statement of research interests that outlines your programming and research experience using digital information, and the names and email addresses of three references to: [email protected] The University of Maryland actively subscribes to a policy of equal employment opportunity, and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, age, gender, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, national origin, or political affiliation. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply.
