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Earth and Environmental Sciences Data Curator (Associate or Full Specialist) in the Library

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Position description

The University of California, Santa Barbara is one of ten campuses that comprise the University of California system and is a member of the exclusive Association of American Universities. In addition, the University Library at UC Santa Barbara is a member of the prestigious Association of Research Libraries.

The UC Santa Barbara Library is responding to recent and exciting changes in scholarship that include the increasing use of digital data and computational methods; expanding and novel cross-disciplinary data reuse; new emphases on transparency and reproducibility; concern for preservation and long-term usability; and the rise of new forms of scholarly communication including data publication and open access publishing. The UC Santa Barbara Library seeks a collaborative, dynamic scholar to foster excellence in data curation.

Reporting to the Director of the Data Curation Program, the Earth and Environmental Sciences Data Curator is responsible for the planning and implementation of scholarly initiatives in support of data-intensive research and digital scholarship in the Earth and environmental sciences on campus with the goal of ensuring the high functionality, discoverability, and preservability of digital research data throughout its lifecycle. As part of a growing team of data curators, the candidate will make substantial contributions to his/her primary area of responsibility as well as collaborate with other team members in addressing curation of data from other disciplines.

The successful candidate will join a team of curators who will help re-envision the Library’s role within the research data lifecycle and who can respond to and support new research methods being used by researchers as well as lead the adoption of new methods. The Data Curation Program is also actively engaged with using, and informing development of, the digital asset platforms that are increasingly a core component of the toolset of the modern research university. The expected effective date of the position is February 2019, or later. The initial appointment is at 100% time, for 1 year, with the position eligible for renewal.

In collaboration with data curators, science subject librarians, and the staff of the Interdisciplinary Research Collaboratory (IRC), the Earth and Environmental Sciences Data Curator will create and implement the Library’s support plan for researchers in the Earth and environmental sciences. The candidate will:

•Provide data management consultations to campus data creators in support of the research mission of the university.
•Build and contribute expertise in information trends and research methods in the Earth and environmental sciences and related disciplines.
•Be embedded into or otherwise participate in campus research projects.
•Outreach to faculty and assist with adoption of new data management and curation tools and services in support of faculty research within data science.
•Build and maintain online data management aids and other documentation.
•In coordination with the IRC, organize public events and lead trainings and workshops in the areas of tool use and data analysis, publication, management, and curation.

The Earth and Environmental Sciences Data Curator will contribute to local, regional, and national discussions and initiatives in data curation and digital scholarship, including the UCSB Digital Arts & Humanities Commons.

Additionally, as a member of the greater University of California scholarly community, the candidate will participate in systemwide working groups and efforts, and work with the University of California Curation Center (UC3) at the California Digital Library to help develop and promulgate new systemwide services.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Basic:
•At time of application, a PhD in an Earth or environmental science.

Additional:
•Demonstrated experience managing, analyzing, and otherwise working with Earth and/or environmental science data;
•Demonstrated working knowledge of issues and technical challenges related to data curation, including format migration, preservation, metadata, discovery, provenance, and data access (including open access);
•Demonstrated familiarity with relevant standards for research metadata used for geospatial data and in remote sensing such as ISO 19115, NASA DIF, and CF conventions, and with standards used in the ecological and life science communities such as EML and Darwin Core;
•Demonstrated familiarity with one or more platforms or tools used by Earth and environmental researchers, such as Python, R, MATLAB, or ENVI/IDL;
•Demonstrated understanding of the ways in which scholars conduct research in this new era of data sharing and reuse;
•Demonstrated initiative in fostering new ideas and in implementing change;
•Ability to work independently and collaboratively;
•Excellent organizational skills, proven problem solving ability, and flexibility;
•Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

Preferred:
•Familiarity with remote sensing processes, including: processing levels; file formats such as HDF and NetCDF; and data access protocols such as OPeNDAP and WCS;
•Experience with data analysis and publication environments such as Jupyter and RStudio;
•Experience organizing public events and leading trainings and workshops;
•Experience working on projects that support data-intensive research and ensure high functionality, discoverability, and preservability of digital research;
•Familiarity with grant writing and data management requirements of federal agencies;
•Working knowledge of intellectual property issues (including Creative Commons licensing);
•Experience working in a university or library environment.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:
Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. Appointees to the Specialist series at the University of California, Santa Barbara are professional academic employees who accrue vacation at the rate of two days per month and sick leave at the rate of one day per month. The University has excellent retirement plans and a selection of group health, dental, vision, and life insurance plans. Benefits information can be found at https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html.

TO APPLY:
•Apply by January 18, 2019 for primary consideration, thereafter this position will remain open until filled. Only completed applications, including a CV, a cover letter, names and contact information for two references, and an optional but encouraged statement of contributions to diversity, will be considered.
•Applications will be accepted online through UC Recruit: https://recruit.ap.ucsb.edu/apply/JPF01364
•Help for UC Recruit is available at https://recruit.ap.ucsb.edu/help/applicants
•For additional assistance, contact Ryan George in Library Human Resources at (805) 893-3841 or ryan.george@ucsb.edu
•Appointment and/or continued employment is contingent on successful completion of a background check.

The Library is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community through research, teaching, and service.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter

  • Statement of Contributions to Diversity - Statement addressing past and/or potential contributions to diversity through research, teaching, and/or service.
    (Optional)

Reference requirements
  • 2-3 required (contact information only)

Job location

Santa Barbara, CA