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Data science technician in developing FAIR data and code NIOO-KNAW - Wageningen


Location: Wageningen
Max hours per week: 38.00
Max salary: €4.640,-
Duration of agreement: 6 months, extension possible
Apply until: 11/09/2023



What are we doing?

Increasing transparency, reproducibility, and accessibility are key objectives of Open Science. One way to achieve this is through linking related research outputs such as datasets, analytical codes, and publications in a common framework. Yet this is rarely accomplished in the field of ecology, in which long-term observational data have been collected and analysed opportunistically and without coordination between different research groups.

This position forms part of the CoreBirds project (https://doi.org/10.53962/m95v-7drc), which builds on the existing SPI-Birds Network & Database (https://spibirds.org/), a global and growing network providing metadata aggregation and data standards for long-term observational studies of individually-marked breeding birds. Through this project, our goals are to (1) create a library of peer-sourced and peer-reviewed codes and documentation for processing and analysing SPI-Birds standardised data, and (2) broaden the range of active and potential SPI-Birds contributors by increasing metadata interoperability and organising workshops.


What will you be contributing?

As part of the team, you will build on SPI-Birds’ existing infrastructure to develop coherent metadata standards, standardise and test analytical codes for use with SPI-Birds data, and (as needed) develop pipelines for converting user-submitted data to SPI-Birds’ standard data format. Specific tasks include the establishment of a code library, development and implementation of a code peer-review process, expansion of metadata to incorporate links with other relevant databases, including the development and/or implementation of tools for querying databases, API integration, and semantic mapping. Further, you will be involved in designing and delivering workshops on data and library use, and in the dissemination of the project outcomes to the research community through a methodological publication. All activities will be supported by the research personnel associated with the project as well as the larger SPI-Birds Network.


Desired qualifications, skills and competences:MSc degree in data science, computer science, software engineering or related field with interest in biology and ecology, or a MSc degree in biology or ecology with extensive quantitative training and/or experience in data science, software carpentry or similar
Experience with script-based data wrangling and standardisation, functional programming in R, and package development in R
Experience with version control systems (Git) and collaborative code development (through, e.g., GitHub, GitLab)
Experience with developing APIs
Knowledge about or strong interest in data standards and metadata schema relevant in ecology and related disciplines (e.g., DarwinCore, Ecological Metadata Language), and linked data and ontologies
Strong interest in Open and FAIR research practices, and transparency and reproducibility of science
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Proficient in English, both written and verbal


What do we offer?

The technical position is hosted in the Department of Animal Ecology at the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) in Wageningen. The work will be carried out in collaboration with research personnel in the Department spearheading the SPI-Birds Network & Database, which forms the basis of the project.

The employee will work in a vibrant research group, and have the opportunity to create strong links to international collaborators of the CoreBirds project and SPI-Birds Network, as well as national and international Open Science initiatives.

Please see general information about the salary and benefits in the section Conditions of employment below.


More information

For more details about the position, the project, and SPI-Birds, please contact Dr. Joseph Burant.

Email: j.burant@nioo.knaw.nl
Telephone: +31 (0)317 47 36 24


Application procedure

Please send us a motivation letter, CV / résumé, and the names and contact information for at least two references. The vacancy will remain open until Thursay 09 November at the latest, but we will evaluate the applications as they are submitted and will close the vacancy as soon as we have identified a suitable candidate. Prospective candidates will be invited for an in-person or virtual interview on Wednesday 15 November. All applicant materials should be submitted in English.

The intended starting date for the position is no later than 15 January 2024.



About NIOO
The Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) is a top research institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW). NIOO-KNAW focuses on fundamental and strategic research on individual organisms, populations, communities, and ecosystems.



Terms of employment
Depending on education and experience the minimum salary is €3.377,- and the maximum salary is €4.640,- gross per month for a full-time appointment (scale 9 cao Nederlandse Universiteiten/KNAW). This is exclusive of 8% vacation allowance, 8.3% year-end bonus, travel allowance, internet allowance, home working allowance and pension accrual with ABP.

The KNAW offers its staff an excellent package of secondary benefits. A package that meets the different needs of employees depending on their stage of life, lifestyle or career ambitions. For example, by working an extra two hours a week, it is possible to increase the number of days off from 29 to 41 days a year (with full-time employment).

For a complete overview of the terms of employment, please refer to the web page: werken bij de KNAW.



Diversity & Inclusion
The KNAW considers a working environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated of great importance. A working environment in which attention is paid to individual quality and where development opportunities are paramount. Together we strive for an inclusive culture in which we embrace differences. We would therefore like to invite candidates who want to contribute to this through their background and experience. In the event of equal suitability, preference will be given to the candidate who thus enhances diversity within the Academy.



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