Dear Colleagues,

I would be grateful if you would forward this on to any potential candidates.  
Thanks!

Postdoctoral Position in Public Participation in Digitization of Biodiversity 
Collections

 

A postdoctoral position is available with iDigBio in the research group of 
Austin Mast (Department of Biological Science, Florida State University; 
http://www.bio.fsu.edu/faculty-mast.php) to study engagement of the public in 
the digitization of biodiversity research collections, produce best practice 
and standards documents related to this in collaboration with relevant 
stakeholders, and assist in the design of interoperability between the iDigBio 
portal/cloud, public participation tools, and public participation content 
management systems.  iDigBio (www.idigbio.org) is the central resource for 
NSF's Advancing Digitization of Biodiversity Collections Program (ADBC), and it 
is located at the University of Florida and Florida State University.  

 

There are approximately 1 billion biodiversity specimens at US institutions, 
but only about 10% of these are digitized (e.g., databased, georeferenced, 
and/or digitally imaged).  ADBC is funding large-scale, collaborative 
digitization by thematic collection networks (TCNs) focused on particular 
research themes.  Seven TCNs involving 134 institutions have been funded to 
date, with more to be announced in July.  Among other activities, iDigBio is 
overseeing implementation of standards and best practices for digitization in 
this community and developing a cloud environment for existing and future 
digital content about biodiversity specimens and a portal to it. 

 

A Ph.D. in a relevant field (e.g., biodiversity research, biodiversity 
informatics) is required, as is demonstration of (1) familiarity with 
biodiversity collections and some aspect of their digitization, (2) familiarity 
with (or interest to learn) relevant principles of informatics, (3) successful 
collaboration and time management skills, and (4) successful written and oral 
communication skills.  The postdoctoral scholar will be expected to interact 
positively and productively with a wide range of people (more so than in many 
other postdoctoral positions), including other members of iDigBio, members of 
the large ADBC community (e.g., in working groups and workshops), software 
developers working on digitization tools, other members of the citizen science 
community, and members of the public. 

 

Annual salary starts at $40,000, and the position is expected to be for two 
years.  It is based in Tallahassee, Florida, a small state capital bordered on 
the south and west by the Apalachicola National Forest and on the north by the 
historical hunting plantations of the Red Hills Region.  White-sand beaches, 
clear freshwater springs, and hiking and biking trails are within easy driving 
distances of town.  The region is one of North America's biotic hotspots. 

 

To apply, send a cover letter and CV with contact information for three 
references in a single pdf file to Austin Mast ([email protected]).  In the 
cover letter, please cite past activities that demonstrate each of (1) through 
(4) above as well as provide the date on which you could start the position and 
a paragraph or two on your long-term career goals and how you see this position 
fitting into them.  Applications will be considered beginning on July 8 until 
the position is filled.  Florida State University is an Affirmative 
Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

With best regards,

Austin
Austin Mast
Associate Professor 
Director of the Robert K. Godfrey Herbarium
Associate Editor, Systematic Biology and Systematic Botany
Member of the Steering Committee of iDigBio, The National Resource for 
Advancing Digitization of Biodiversity Collections

Department of Biological Science
319 Stadium Drive
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL 32306-4295
U.S.A.

Office:  King Life Science Building, room 4065
Lab:  King Life Science Building, rooms 4068 and 4084
Herbarium:  Biological Science Unit One, room 100

Voice: 1 (850) 645-1500
Fax:  1 (850) 645-8447

[email protected]

_______________________________________________
tdwg mailing list
[email protected]
http://lists.tdwg.org/mailman/listinfo/tdwg

Reply via email to