Call for Contractors for GBIF Data Portal: Java Developers and Data Administrator

[Donald Hobern]

Calls for Contractors for International Biodiversity Data Portal:
Java Developers and Data Administrator

Background
----------

  The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF, 
  http://www.gbif.org/) is an international organisation with a 
  secretariat based in Copenhagen, Denmark.  Its mission is to enable 
  free and open international web-based exchange of data relating to ´
  all living organisms (plants, animals, micro-organisms), in 
  particular information on their biological classification and their
  geographic occurrence.  

  GBIF brings together an international network of institutions and 
  organisations which have set up web services with standard 
  interfaces to share biodiversity data.  The network includes a 
  centrally-operated portal (http://www.gbif.net/) to assist users in 
  discovering and selecting data from the network.  This portal 
  currently exists as a prototype and now needs to be redeveloped to 
  provide a robust access point for biodiversity data (both XML web 
  services and a browser interface).  Further information can be 
  found at the following links:

  http://circa.gbif.net/Public/irc/gbif/dadi/library?l=/architecture/ 
  http://wiki.gbif.org/dadiwiki/wikka.php

  GBIF is seeking experienced Java developers and a data manager to 
  work on this portal.  These will be contract positions and will be 
  based at the GBIF Secretariat in Copenhagen.  All contractors will 
  be expected to work in English.

Call for Java Developers
------------------------

  GBIF requires experienced Java web developers to work in Copenhagen 
  through at least to the end of 2006.  

  Applicants must be experienced in the following technologies:

   * Java (at least 3 years’ development experience)
   * XML (including XML Schema, XSLT, XPath)
   * Apache Tomcat

  Applicants should ideally also be familiar with the following 
  technologies:

   * MySQL and/or PostgreSQL
   * Hibernate
   * JavaServer Faces and/or Struts
   * Log4J
   * Ant
   * Python

  Prior experience with the following technologies will be an 
  advantage:

   * Data standards from the Taxonomic Databases Working Group (TDWG, 
     http://www.tdwg.org/), in particular:
      - Darwin Core
      - ABCD Schema
      - Taxon Concept Schema
 ´ * Data exchange protocols from TDWG:
      - DiGIR
      - BioCASe
      - TAPIR
   * GML Web Feature Service
   * BioMOBY
   * XQuery

  Understanding of the principles of taxonomy and of biological 
  collection management will be a significant advantage.

Call for Data Administrator
---------------------------

  GBIF requires a Data Administrator to work in Copenhagen through at 
  least to the end of 2006.  The Data Administrator will provide 
  helpdesk support to assist data providers in the following areas:

   * Configuration and use of standard software packages to share 
     biodiversity data 
   * Diagnosis of problems in mapping biodiversity data into XML 
     formats
   * Use of controlled vocabularies for biodiversity data elements
   * Handling of taxonomic names

  The GBIF Data Portal includes a database which serves as an index 
  to the biodiversity data records shared by participants in the GBIF 
  network.  The Data Administrator will also be responsible for
  administrative tasks relating to this database.

  Training will be provided in the use of tools for diagnosis of 
  problems with biodiversity data and in the administration of the 
  index database.

  Applicants must exhibit understanding of the principles of taxonomy 
  and of biological collection management, and also of web-based data 
  exchange using XML web services.

  Applicants must be able to demonstrate experience in some or all of 
  the following technologies:

   * Data standards from the Taxonomic Databases Working Group (TDWG, 
     http://www.tdwg.org/), in particular:
      - Darwin Core
      - ABCD Schema
      - Taxon Concept Schema
   * Data exchange protocols from TDWG:
      - DiGIR
      - BioCASe
      - TAPIR
   * XML (including XML Schema, XPath)
   * MySQL and/or PostgreSQL

How to apply
------------

  Interested applicants should send the following by e-mail to Donald 
  Hobern, GBIF Programme Officer for Data Access and Database 
  Interoperability (dhobern at gbif.org):

   * Curriculum vitae
   * Indication of the position to which the application relates
   * Description of how you fulfill the requirements for the position
   * Description of the strengths you can bring to the project
   * Confirmation of availibility to work in Denmark
   * Indication of when you would be available to start work in 
     Copenhagen
   * Expected remuneration

  The closing date for applications is 30 September 2005.

  Interviews will take place early in October.