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Data scientist: Geovisualization and dashboard building for multivariate EO data

Application Deadline: 1st of September 2024
Possible start date: 1st of October 2024
Duration: 3+ years,
Job location: Waldeck Pyrmontlaan 14, Doorwerth, the Netherlands
Bruto monthly salary: starting from €3.420 gross per month (with possible bonuses)
Job type: research assistant
Fields: geovisualization, geocomputation, econometrics, environmental sciences, Earth observation, data science, environmental-economic accounting
Employer: OpenGeoHub Foundation

Job description

OpenGeoHub foundation is a not-for-profit research foundation with headquarters in Doorwerth, The Netherlands. We aim to become world experts in producing global and regional spatial predictions of soil, vegetation and climatic variables. For this, we use high performance computing / optimisation and state-of-the-art machine learning. Our projects are listed at: https://opengeohub.org/projects/.

OpenGeoHub foundation is looking for a researcher assistant in the field of geovisualization, geoinformatics / econometrics for the purposes of calculating and tracking ecosystem health and ecosystem services. You would develop complex visualizations, User-Interfaces and interactive dashboards for multivariate and Earth Observation (EO) data by developing and deploying code (programming in Python, R / RShiny, QGIS, JavaScript & React and similar). These UI’s would be used primarily to compute and visualize dynamic environmental data, ecosystem services using state-of-the-art Environmental-Economic Accounting methodology e.g. the (SEEA; https://seea.un.org/). The computing would be applied in gridded / multiarray systems (data cubes, xarray-type objects) so that financial gains, risks and potentials can be derived per pixel (including the associated uncertainty) and potentially at high spatial resolutions. You would work for OpenGeoHub on current and future projects, including European Commission-funded projects and international projects. These have  a need to develop econometric solutions and derive actual financial gains and risks. You would start with primarily contributing to the Horizon Europe projects Open-Earth-Monitor (2022–2026) and AI4SoilHealth (2023–2026); also actively contribute to the Global Pasture Watch / WRI Land Carbon Lab projet,, www.OpenLandMap.org and EcoDataCube.eu data portals.

You would also be encouraged to network with other researchers and groups of world leaders in their fields. OpenGeoHub works closely with IIASA (Geo-wiki.org), Wageningen University (Laboratory of Geo-information Science and Remote Sensing), EURAC Research, ETH (Tom Crowther’s Lab), The Woodwell Climate Research Center, Max-Planck-Institute for Biogeochemistry (Biogeochemical Integration Department), Institute for Geoinformatics (ifgi) / University of Münster, GFZ Helmholtz German Research Centre for Geosciences, GiLAB.rs, and many other organizations. Our clients / collaborating organizations also include: The Nature Conservancy, UNCCD, World Resources Institute, Conservation International and others.

Your profile

Minimum requirements:

  1. You have an MSc degree in the field of data science, geoinformatics and/or environmental science; combined with a background in GIS, geocomputation and/or environmetrics.
  2. You have at least 3–years of experience of working on geovisualization projects, building web-mapping tools, and visualizing complex multivariate data.
  3. You have minimum required coding & geocomputing skills in programming languages such as Bash, R, and/or Python.
  4. You enjoy creating super graphics and innovating how multivariate complex problems are visualized.
  5. You are familiar with geovisualization tools and dashboards e.g. leaflet, rio-tiler, QGIS plugins, RShiny-based, Plotly, Grafana, Google Looker Studio and/or similar.
  6. You are competent at, and enjoy, developing computational notebooks using jupyter and/or Quarto, debugging and problem solving using code.
  7. You enjoy building UI’s, combining artwork and efficient web-functionality.
  8. You have a high affinity to learn and teach / share knowledge across borders.
  9. You are fluent in English.

Note: For non-EU citizens / applicants without residence permit in Schengen zone, the Dutch Immigration rules indicate minimum requirements for a working visa for the Netherlands.

INFORMATION AND APPLICATION

Questions:

Questions regarding this position can be directed to Tom Hengl, email: tom.hengl@opengeohub.org   

Applications, including (1) a CV, (2) a statement of your interest and vision, and (3) self-assessment based on the minimum requirements, should be uploaded via this link. Please prepare all documents as a PDF before starting the application.  

Our offer:

  1. We offer a full-time position for three (3) years, with possible extension, within a stimulating international innovation and research environment aiming at solving global and regional environmental problems at large scales.
  2. You will work in a dynamic work environment with enthusiastic colleagues from a variety of countries.
  3. Starting salary will be: starting from €3.420 gross per month with possible bonuses;
  4. A holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary;
  5. 29 holidays if in full-time employment;
  6. Professional and personal development time available;

We are a truly international research institute promoting equal opportunities and especially focused on enabling female researchers. We strongly encourage a high degree of responsibility and independence, while collaborating with other colleagues. Flexi-hours and occasional remote working is also possible upon agreement with the OpenGeoHub Management Board.