Biodiversity Informatics Manager

Canadensys network

Université de Montréal Biodiversity Centre

Context

Canadensys (http://www.canadensys.net [1]) is a network of researchers and biological collections in Canada with the mission to unlock, publish and aggregate specimen information and occurrences from Canadian institutions and initiatives, and to publish them to the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). The network encompasses over 30 biological collections that focus mostly on plants, fungi and insects. Canadensys is currently the largest data provider on GBIF for the Canada. The current team is composed of a programmer and a data manager.

Job description

The Biodiversity Informatics Manager will maintain, improve and expand the Canadensys biodiversity network, to ensure its relevance, usefulness and visibility. He/She will design and implement innovative tools to publish, synthesise and display biodiversity data, building upon the current infrastructure, which includes a community portal (http://www.canadensys.ne [2]), blog (http://www.canadensys.net/blog [3]), explorer (http://explorer.canadensys.net/ [4]) repository (http://data.canadensys.net/ipt [5]), and checklist database for vascular plants(http://data.canadensys.net/vascan [6]). This work will require coordination and communication with national and international biodiversity informatics initiatives such as the Canadian Biodiversity Informatics Facility (CBIF), the GBIF and the Biodiversity Information Standards (TDWG). The Biodiversity Informatics Manager will be expected to assume an active role in these initiatives(leadership, collaboration, training). He/She will supervise and closely collaborate with a programmer and other informatics-related staff, interact with a large community of researchers,and supervise the data management protocol (database management, efficient data entry, specimen digitization, and data publication). The candidate will work in an environment and contribute to an endeavor where initiative and innovationare both essential and encouraged.

Qualifications

M.Sc or Ph.D. in biology, with a university degree in computer science and/or equivalent experience in both fields. The candidate will have sound informatics network management skills and experience, with examples of achievements in production-level networks. Preference will be given to candidates with experience with software development, biodiversity research, digitization of biological collections, and data publication (e.g. Integrated Publishing Toolkit, Darwin Core). The candidate will have excellent leadership qualities, communication, networking and interpersonal skills, and a working knowledge of English and French.

Work environment

The biodiversity informatics manager will be based at the headquarters of the Canadensys network in the Université de Montréal Biodiversity Centre. As part of the Institut de recherche en biologie végétale (www.irbv.umontreal.ca [7]), the Centre is located on the grounds of the Montreal Botanical Garden. The position is for one year starting in January 2018 (negotiable), with the possibility of renewal. Salary is dependent on experience and qualifications.

Applicants should send by e-mail, before the 1st of December 2017 (or until the position is filled), a letter of interest, c.v., and the names and contact information of three references to: Anne Bruneau, Director Institut de recherche en biologie végétale 4101 Sherbrooke St. East Montreal, Quebec, H1X 2B2 anne.bruneau@umontreal.ca [8]