Faculty of Science – Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics
Publication date: 31 January 2019
Level of education: PhD
Salary indication: €2,709 to €4,274 gross per month
Closing date: 25 February 2019
Hours: 38 hours per week
Vacancy number: 19-069

A postdoctoral research/developer position is available with Dr Judy Shamoun-Baranes, leading animal movement ecology research in the Department of Theoretical and Computational Ecology within the Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) at the University of Amsterdam (UvA). IBED is one of the eight research institutes within the Faculty of Science. Its goal is a better understanding of the dynamics of ecosystems at all relevant levels, from genes to climate change, using a truly multidisciplinary approach.

Project description

This postdoctoral position is part of the project 'Interactions between birds and offshore wind farms: drivers, consequences and tools for mitigation' funded by NWO-TTW. Within this project we aim to increase our understanding of the factors that influence bird movement patterns, bird interactions with wind farms and population consequences of these interactions. Research results will be used for mitigation of potential negative impacts of wind energy on migratory and resident populations and to support a transition to renewable energy. Integrating radar measurements of bird movement, individual GPS tracking and demographic measurements, we will measure and model these interactions and their consequences, from large scale migration patterns to the fine scale flight behavior of seabirds within wind farms. A predictive migration model will be developed to support the temporary shutdown of wind turbines. We will also develop a road map and tools for a national e-science infrastructure for remote monitoring of avian movement, laying a foundation for a science based approach to understand and mitigate population level consequences of offshore wind farms. To achieve these aims the project team includes 3 PhD candidates and 3 postdoctoral researchers as well as experts from UvA and the NIOZ and collaborators from KNMI and SURFSara.

Within this project we offer a 3 year position at the postdoctoral level for the sub-project 'A national e-science infrastructure for remote monitoring of avian movement'. The main aims of the position will be to lead the:

• Development of an architectural road map for an e-science research infrastructure to transfer, store, integrate and visualize data from different sources and make this data available for exploration and analysis for a range of stakeholders. Such a system would incorporate data from land-based meteorological radars, dedicated bird radars at sea, individual tracking, demographic bird monitoring and meteorological data; and
• Develop precursor tools for data storage and management, data visualization and data integration. Tools will be developed using open-source software and web-based solutions where efficient and feasible. As radars used in this study generate terabytes of data each year, this project will require big data solutions and high performance computing.
• The postdoctoral researcher/developer will lead discussions with diverse stakeholders and data providers to understand future needs. This position will require coordination with other members of the project team as well as diverse data providers.

Requirements

We are looking for you if you meet these criteria:

• A PhD or MSc with comparable level of expertise in Computer Science, Data Science or similar fields;
• Experience developing tools for managing and exploring large spatio-temporal datasets, preferably in the context of ecology or the environmental sciences;
• Preferably have experience developing visualization tools for spatio-temporal data;
• Good writing skills, as shown through e.g. documentation, tutorials or previous scientific publications;
• Excellent communication skills in a multi-disciplinary setting and an interest in working on a collaborative and interdisciplinary project;
• Capacity to translate user needs into system design.

Further information

For additional information, please contact:

Dr Judy Shamoun-Baranes

Appointment

The starting date of the position is preferably spring 2019. Initially we will appoint you on a temporary basis for one year. Subsequently we offer you an extension of the employment contract of two years if we assess your performance positive. The appointment is full-time (38 hours per week), but part-time employment (0.8 fte minimum) implicating a longer extension as compensation is negotiable. The full-time gross monthly salary will range from €2,709 to €4,274, depending on the number of years of relevant experience. The annual salary will be supplemented with 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% end-of-year bonus. The Collective Labor Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

Job application

The UvA is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We value a spirit of inquiry and endurance, provide the space to keep asking questions and cherish a diverse atmosphere of curiosity and creativity.

Applications should include:

• A motivation letter;
• A CV, including a list of publications or developed tools, description of experience with developing e-science tools;
• The names and contact addresses of two academic references.
• You may apply no later than 25 February 2019 using the link below. Interviews are planned in the second week of March. #LI-DNP