Open WebGIS Developer position: ‘The History of the Global Environment (HYDE): visualizing Earth’s environmental history (0.85 – 1.0 FTE)

Job description              

The History Database of the Global Environment (HYDE) provides global land use data for the past 12,000 years at different time intervals with 5’arcmin spatial resolution. HYDE was created to learn from the past to achieve a sustainable future. It is used in Model Intercomparison Projects for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), to inform policymakers in decision making for a better and sustainable future. This work has also been featured in National Geographic and BBC documentaries of Sir David Attenborough!

The ways to use this data are limitless. While these data are open, presently, these data are not easily accessible. We are looking for someone to help us build a FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) workflow with existing computing facilities, to provide public spatial data repositories for data storage and presentation of the data through interactive web-based maps and graphs. The aim is to provide these data to the public for reuse in a structured, replicable manner.

While executing this proof-of-concept, you will build and document the process of developing this open spatial data repository and interactive visualization portal (GeoNetwork) by simultaneously developing. We aim to develop an infrastructure not only to publish HYDE data in a FAIR manner, but which also can be easily used/adapted by other researchers wishing to make their spatial data FAIR. We will identify a set of procedures and directions to FAIRify spatial temporal data storage and create visualizations. 

We need your help to:

1.) build a full stack including a spatial database (using PostGIS and Geoserver to host and serve spatial data), and users can download data in the format most relevant to their needs

2.) connect it to a Graphical User Interface (GUI) with interactive cartographic visualizations and spatial queries (ideally – Leaflet, OpenLayers or Keplr.gl)

3.) write a simple and concise handbook to describe this FAIR workflow of large spatial data products so others can learn from and replicate your work.

Your Qualifications        

We are looking for an outstanding and highly motivated candidate who is technically savvy with a deep interest in Web-based Geographic Information Systems (GIS), visualization, cartography, land use, and history. We are especially interested in interdisciplinary scholars with strong modeling and quantitative data analysis skills. We gladly receive applications from candidates who have:

• Preferrable an MSc in GIS, geo-spatial analysis, Digital Humanities, computer science or a related field;
• SQL, CentOS and Bash Command Line knowledge a plus;
• experience with editing configuration files of the software components (PostGIS, Geoserver, Catalog – GeoNetwork, visualization) or willingness to learn;
• the ability to set up an enterprise geodatabase;
• experience with front-end development languages such as Javascript, HTML, CSS, and SQL
• strong affinity with cartography, land use and history;
• works well independently;
• excellent communication skills;
• proficiency in English, speaking and writing;
• enjoy working in an interdisciplinary and international environment;

 Offer

The candidate will work within the Environmental Sciences section of the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development: at the core of Copernicus themes’ Integrated Modelling, Transitions, Sustainable Land, and Sustainable Food.             

We offer a 0.85 fte post-graduate (S 10.0) or 1.0 fte research assistant position, starting 1-4-2023, or 1.0 fte post-graduate (S 10.0) or 1.0 fte research assistant position starting 1-5-2023. End date of this project is 31-12-2023.

About the organization

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists to execute their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.

Utrecht University’s Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth’s core to its surface, including man’s spatial and material utilisation of the Earth – always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.  

Additional information

For more information about this position, please contact C.G.M. Klein Goldewijk (Assistant Professor) via c.g.m.kleingoldewijk@uu.nl or Britta Ricker (Assistant Professor) via b.a.ricker@uu.nl.

Apply   

Everyone deserves to feel at home at our university. We welcome employees with a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives.

To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation to c.g.m.kleingoldewijk@uu.nl