VertNet Project Coordinator Wanted

VERTNET PROJECT COORDINATOR

VertNet is a new multi-institution, collaborative project that will combine the online
accessibility of four distributed data networks for vertebrates: HerpNET (herpnet.org), ORNIS (ornisnet.org),
MaNIS (manisnet.org) and FishNet (fishnet2.net). Together, these taxon-based web
portals now serve georeferenced data on vertebrates from approximately 90 museums, 48
of which are participating in multiple portals. The majority of these institutions are in the
United States, but their collections are global in scope. These data portals make museum
specimen data available freely to the public and researchers, and serve information such
as museum catalog number, locality information, georeferenced coordinates, and other
specimen related data. The goal of these portals is to facilitate studies in conservation,
ecology, and evolution. We are seeking a person to fill the position of VertNet Project
Coordinator. This person will oversee integration of ORNIS, HerpNET, MaNIS, and FishNet,
research in biodiversity information, and will pursue integration with other biodiversity
information sites such as Encyclopedia of Life (EOL) and AmphibiaWeb, and will promote
research and outreach in the field of biodiversity informatics. They must have a
background in biodiversity informatics and be aware of various research (GIS, evolutionary
biology, systematics) that takes advantage of these data.

40% Conduct semi-independent research in the field of biodiversity informatics, including
applications of global biological collections’ data for conservation and evolutionary
biology. Analyze these data for technological improvements to data portals, and, working
closely with lead programmers, ensure implementation compatibility with existing and
developing infrastructures. These investigations include surveying the status of
bioinformatic resources at global natural history collections.

20% Develop grant proposals (with steering committee) to various funding agencies for
the VertNET project and develop other biodiversity data portal research materials in
pursuit of funding opportunities.

15% Liaise with and provide support to the VertNet steering committee and database
programmers at various institutions by facilitating communications, updates and other
written, oral and e-mail contacts.

15% Coordinate and ensure communication across participating institutions, and recruit
new institutions to participate in the data portal. Train participants in georeferencing,
mapping using GIS (Geographic Information Systems), and other research applications in
evolutionary biology of these data via workshops.

10% Assist with design and test development of VertNet data portal technologies and
website, such as development of phylogenetic tree applications and more user-friendly
mapping and data querying abilities.

Required Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree in biology, information sciences, bioinformatics,
geography, environmental sciences or other relevant discipline required. Fundamental
computer skills in Microsoft Office, Google Earth, and the Internet required. Must have
experience with relational databases (e.g., Microsoft Access). Ability to understand and
follow technical instructions required. Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
required. Excellent communication (written and oral) and interpersonal skills are
necessary. Demonstrated expertise of biodiversity informatics and its applications in
evolutionary and conservation biology. Ability to quickly learn new programs required.

Preferred Qualifications:
Familiarity and experience working with natural history museums and biodiversity
databases (i.e., HerpNET, ORNIS, MaNIS, FishNET, and/or GBIF) and their data managers
strongly recommended. Familiarity with MaNIS/HerpNET/ORNIS georeferencing methods
and GIS and mapping experience strongly recommended. Familiarity with state and federal
agencies, especially granting agencies, useful. Experience with website design and html
scripting desirable but not required.

Salary Range:
Annual salary: $37,920 to $39,456

This position is funded through 31 August 2010, with extension subject to renewed
funding.

The Application Deadline for this job is 20 December 2009.

People can apply to this position via the UC Berkeley job website (Job ID number 10296)
at:

http://jobs.berkeley.edu/ (search on VertNet or by Job ID number)

*****

Carol L. Spencer
Staff Curator of Herpetology & Researcher
Museum of Vertebrate Zoology
3101 Valley Life Sciences Building
University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA 94720-3160
atrox10@gmail.com
atrox@berkeley.edu
510-643-5778