Research Data Coordinator

We are seeking a Research Data Coordinator for the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Global Change Ecology of Northern Ecosystems with experience in research and project management to join the research group (Team Shrub) of Prof. Isla Myers-Smith in Vancouver, Canada.

The Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) project in global change ecology of northern ecosystems will investigate how warming temperatures and shifting seasonality affect Arctic tundra, alpine and boreal forest ecosystems, including changes in plant growth, habitat composition, wildlife movement and species ranges. This research will also examine the collective impact of these changes on the livelihoods of Indigenous communities in the Yukon Territory, Canada.

The Research Data Coordinator will work with the principle investigator Prof. Isla Myers-Smith to coordinate the project datasets, conduct analyses and interact with the project team and Northern, Canadian and international collaborators. Specifically, the Research Data Coordinator will work with the PI in designing data storage architecture for the eight-year project, developing software and hardware applications including for the analysis of drone and satellite remote sensing and will implement data collection, compilation, organisation, analysis, version control and publication of datasets in public data repositories and scientific papers. The Research Data Coordinator will also plan and implement the collaboration with the project team and our Northern, Canadian and international collaborators, provide training and mentorship and will lead or participate in research activities including data syntheses and cross-site field research under the PI’s instruction.

The selected candidate will work with a multidisciplinary team of ecologists including graduate students, postdocs, a data scientist and will interact with northern partners and project collaborators. The Research Data Coordinator will be working remotely with visits to UBC campus to participate in our research team and project activities.

Organizational Status
The position will report directly to the Principal Investigator. Contract is for 12 months. Upon successful completion of probation, the position could be extended.

Work Performed

• o Design and manage, with the PI, on data storage architecture for large datasets (10s of TBs) including remotely-sensed image data and records of tundra plant biodiversity, phenology and traits from across the tundra biome
  o Implement data collection, compilation, organisation, analysis, version control and publication of datasets in public data repositories
  o Develop software and hardware applications for the research team including remote sensing and statistical analyses and workflows and data processing for drone and satellite datasets
  o Supervise database versions including public data repositories for large collaborative databases including cross-site drone and satellite remote sensing databases and tundra plant phenology, species composition and trait databases
  o Coordinate research activities including scientific publications and field research expeditions
  o Connect and collaborate with the project team and collaborators within the north, across Canada and internationally, provide training and mentorship to team members and coordinating data synthesis activities
  o Supervise early career researchers within the project team
  o Participate in scientific discussions and presentations in local, Canadian and international scientific meetings

Consequence of Error/Judgement
The Research Data Coordinator will report to the PI and will be required to work independently, but will have worked checked by the PI on a regular basis. The Research Data Coordinator will also interact with other members of the research group on a regular basis, with other team members contributing to tasks and participating in project and data management and analysis. The Research Data Coordinator will have responsibility over data compilation, data and code management, data processing, data analyses, data and code version control, making data and code public and will work independently, with the PI and with other team members to interpret analyses and write up findings in manuscripts, reports and other publications. Consequences of data mismanagement would be delays in producing scientific papers, reports and publicly available datasets that are expected by funding bodies and stakeholders.

Supervision Received
The Research Data Coordinator will receive supervision from the PI, but will also work independently to complete tasks and oversee data management and analyses elements to the research program. The Research Data Coordinator will have opportunities for weekly meetings with the PI to check in about goals, progress to date and to troubleshoot challenges and discuss ideas. The work will be conducted through project management software and thus progress will be shared among all team members and the PI will be available for questions, feedback and advice on a daily basis.

Supervision Given
The Research Data Coordinator may have mentorship or supervisory responsibilities for student employees and may have input into staff selection and performance evaluation.

Minimum Qualifications
Completion of a university graduate degree (MSc or PhD) in a relevant discipline or technical program and a minimum four years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- MSc or PhD in computer science, bioinformatics, environmental/ecological data science or other relevant degree
- A minimum four years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and work experience
- Fluency in verbal and written English
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Willingness to work on a variety of data science-related projects
- Ability to organize, analyze and communicate scientific data in the form of scientific publications
- Proficiency in the writing and documentation of code and software applications
- Independence and takes initiative in multitasking and multi-disciplinary environments
- Demonstrated ability to work in an interdisciplinary and collaborative environment as a part of a diverse team
- Willingness to provide mentorship to early career researchers on the team
- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own
- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• o Strong analytical skills and a solid foundation in data synthesis, remote sensing and statistical analyses
  o Strong proficiencies in R and/or Python
  o Experience with version control in GitHub
  o Experience conducting fieldwork
  o Experience in northern ecosystems
  o Experience with ecological data synthesis
  o Experience with remote sensing
  o Experience with spatial analysis and Bayesian statistics
  o Willingness to lead fieldwork in Northern locations

Offer

You will be offered a full-time one-year position with the potential for contract extension through out the duration of the project. UBC offers a wide-ranging benefits plan that includes extended health and dental coverage.

About the Organization

This position will be based at the Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, Faculty of Forestry, the University of British Columbia, Vancouver campus, which is located on the territory of the Musqueam (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm) People.

The University of British Columbia is a global centre for teaching, learning and research, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world. The University of British Columbia’s (UBC) Faculty of Forestry is recognized globally as one of the leading forestry faculties in the world. As the largest Faculty of Forestry in Canada, we welcome almost 1500 undergraduate and graduate students from over 40 countries every year to study forestry at UBC.

We strive to create a respectful, positive and safe working environment for people of all backgrounds. We believe that inclusiveness and diversity are essential to academic excellence. We encourage members of underrepresented groups to apply including First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, Black-identified persons, other racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

Additional Information