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10th International Conference on Ecological Informatics from 24 - 28 September, 2018 in Jena, Germany
by Felicitas Löffler 22 Nov '17

22 Nov '17

Dear colleagues, "How can steadily advancing sensor and information technology assist to take advantage of steadily growing and diversifying data in ecology?" The 10th International Conference on Ecological Informatics from 24 - 28 September, 2018 in Jena, Germany under the theme 'Translating Ecological Data into Knowledge and Decisions in a Rapidly Changing World' will provide a forum to address this question - both from an ecological and a computer science point of view. We cordially invite special sessions on all aspects of ecoinformatics and computational ecology including but not limited to: • Novel concepts and tools for the acquisition, management, analysis and synthesis of ecological data, including genomic and paleo-ecological data • Understanding and modeling ecosystem functioning, phenology and evolution • Informing decisions on environmental issues like sustainability, ecosystem services, climate change and biodiversity. Special session proposals should provide a title and brief scope of the session as well as details of the session’s organizer(s), and should be submitted by *15 December 2017*. Please submit your proposals via the submission system EasyChair: https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=icei18. Further information can be obtained from our webpage: http://icei2018.uni-jena.de/ In case of any questions, do not hestitate to contact us: icei2018(a)listserv.uni-jena.de. There is also a Twitter account: https://twitter.com/ICEIConf. We are looking forward to your session ideas! Kind regards, Friedrich Recknagel (Scientific Chair) Birgitta König-Ries (Local Chair)

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Looking for prospective grad students with curation and biodiversity informatics interests
by Austin 15 Nov '17

15 Nov '17

I would greatly appreciate it if you would pass this announcement on to individuals who might be interested in this opportunity for grad school: I am keen to find students who are interested in gaining experience as a curator of a dynamic biodiversity research collection (Florida State University's Robert K. Godfrey Herbarium; http://www.herbarium.bio.fsu.edu/ <http://www.herbarium.bio.fsu.edu/>) while working with me towards a graduate degree on the topic of plant diversity and distribution, biodiversity informatics, and/or citizen science. Staff members of the herbarium have played leadership roles in digitization of biodiversity specimens locally (e.g., as part of the SERNEC Thematic Collections Network, https://sernec.appstate.edu/ <https://sernec.appstate.edu/>, and as part of WeDigFLPlants, https://biospex.org/project/wedigflplants <https://biospex.org/project/wedigflplants>) and nationally (e.g., through iDigBio, https://www.idigbio.org/ <https://www.idigbio.org/>). Students have traditionally held the position for 2–3 years and have TA'd or RA'd during their remaining time at FSU to broaden their experience even farther. All students that are accepted to our program receive stipend salary support, full tuition waiver, a contribution to the student health insurance plan and annual travel allowance to attend conferences. FSU has a strong ecology and evolution program (http://www.bio.fsu.edu/ee/ <http://www.bio.fsu.edu/ee/> for more details), and the campus is situated in the beautiful Florida panhandle—one of the continent's biodiversity hotspots and a great place to be a biologist. Applications begin to be considered on Dec. 1, 2017, but the final deadline for applications is not until January 31, 2018 (for details see http://www.bio.fsu.edu/grad/admissions/apply/ <http://www.bio.fsu.edu/grad/admissions/apply/>). Interested individuals should also contact me directly (contact info in signature). For more info on me and my lab, including the fun stuff that we are doing with augmented reality technology, visit http://www.bio.fsu.edu/faculty.php?faculty-id=mast <http://www.bio.fsu.edu/faculty.php?faculty-id=mast> and http://mastlab.org/ <http://mastlab.org/>. I’m particularly looking for applicants who are ready to be innovative with their graduate research. Thanks! Austin Austin Mast · Professor · Department of Biological Science · 319 Stadium Drive · Florida State University · Tallahassee, FL 32306-4295 · U.S.A. · (850) 645-1500 · amast(a)bio.fsu.edu

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Postdoc opportunity in Public Participation in Scientific Research/Citizen Science
by Austin 20 Oct '17

20 Oct '17

I’d be grateful if you’d pass this announcement on to those who might be interested. We are currently in the midst of the 4-day WeDigBio 2017 Event (https://twitter.com/WeDigBio <https://twitter.com/WeDigBio>). Thanks! Austin Postdoctoral Position in Public Participation in Digitization of Biodiversity Collections A postdoctoral position is available with iDigBio in the research group of Prof. Austin Mast (Department of Biological Science, Florida State University; http://www.bio.fsu.edu/faculty-mast.php) to study engagement of the public in the digitization of biodiversity research collections, especially as it relates to the community’s Worldwide Engagement for Digitizing Biocollections (WeDigBio) Event. iDigBio (www.idigbio.org) is the US NSF's National Resource for Advancing Digitization of Biodiversity Collections, and it is located at the University of Florida and Florida State University. The WeDigBio Event (www.wedigbio.org) is an annual, 4-day event that mixes onsite engagement at museums, universities, etc. with engagement of distributed participants to produce an exciting, educational global data campaign for science. New developments that could be a part of this postdoc’s activities include the build-out of the nascent WeDigBio virtual science festival, creation of virtual reality biocollections tours, and completion of a strategic plan for the WeDigBio Event. The WeDigBio Event has a history of innovation, including in the area of augmented reality. A Ph.D. in a relevant field (e.g., biodiversity research, biodiversity informatics, science education, citizen science) is required, as is demonstration of (1) familiarity with (or interest to learn about) biodiversity collections and their digitization, (2) successful collaboration and time management skills, (3) successful written and oral communication skills, and (4) enthusiasm for trailblazing for the benefit of science and society. Desired, though not required, qualities include familiarity with relevant principles of biodiversity informatics, experience in marketing (especially social media marketing), fluency in a second language, and experience with immersive (AR and VR) technologies. The postdoctoral scholar will be expected to interact positively and productively with a wide range of people (more so than in many other postdoctoral positions), including other members of iDigBio, members of the large collections community (e.g., in working groups and workshops), software developers working on digitization tools, educators, and other members of the citizen science community of practice. Annual salary starts at $48,000, and the position is expected to be for one year. It is based in Tallahassee, Florida, a small state capital bordered on the south and west by the Apalachicola National Forest and on the north by the historical hunting plantations of the Red Hills Region. White-sand beaches, clear freshwater springs, and hiking and biking trails are within easy driving distances of town. The region is one of North America's biotic hotspots. To apply, send a cover letter and CV with contact information for three references in a single pdf file to Austin Mast (amast(a)bio.fsu.edu). In the cover letter, please cite past activities that demonstrate each of (1) through (4) above as well as provide the date on which you could start the position and a paragraph or two on your long-term career goals and how you see this position fitting into them. Applications will be considered beginning on Nov 15 until the position is filled. Florida State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Austin Mast · Professor · Department of Biological Science · 319 Stadium Drive · Florida State University · Tallahassee, FL 32306-4295 · U.S.A. · (850) 645-1500 · amast(a)bio.fsu.edu

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Call for Participation: Computable evolutionary phenotype knowledge - a hands-on workshop
by Hilmar Lapp 27 Sep '17

27 Sep '17

Call for Participation: Computable evolutionary phenotype knowledge: a hands-on workshop The Phenoscape (http://phenoscape.org) project is hosting a hands-on workshop on Dec 11-14, 2017, at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. Evolutionary phenotype data that is amenable to computational data science, including computation-driven discovery, remains relatively new to science. Therefore use-cases and applications that effectively exploit these new capabilities are only beginning to emerge. If you are interested in discovering, linking to, recombining, or computing with machine-interpretable evolutionary phenotypes, this is the workshop for you! The event will bring together a diverse group of people to collaboratively design and work hands-on on targets of their interest that take advantage and promote reuse of [Phenoscape]'s online evolutionary data resources and services. The event is designed as a hands-on unconference-style workshop. Participants will break into subgroups to collaboratively tackle self-selected work targets. The full Call for Participation, including motivation and scope, is posted here: https://hackmd.io/s/Sk6Xa7Eq-# To apply to participate in the event, please fill out the following form by Oct 9, 2017: <https://goo.gl/tt18gR> Travel sponsorship is available but limited, as is space. -- Hilmar Lapp -:- genome.duke.edu -:- lappland.io

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RDA/TDWG attribution metadata interest group
by Anne Thessen 26 Sep '17

26 Sep '17

Hello all I apologize, but I completely dropped the ball on the next meeting of the RDA/TDWG attribution metadata interest group. We don't have a scheduled meeting for this group, but it is important that we make progress. So, I suggest we hold an informal gathering some time next week. Looking at the schedule, Sunday evening, any lunch, and Tues or Wed evening would be good times. If you are interested in attending (see here <https://www.rd-alliance.org/groups/metadata-standards-attribution-physical-…> for a description of the group) please respond to me saying so and listing times that you could attend an informal meeting. Thank you and apologies! -- Anne E. Thessen, Ph.D. The Data Detektiv, Owner and Founder Ronin Institute, Research Scholar 443.225.9185

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DC-2017 Session: Developing a Metadata Community Response in the Post-Truth Information Age
by DCMI Announce 11 Sep '17

11 Sep '17

********PLEASE EXCUSE THE CROSS-POSTING******** Developing a Metadata Community Response in the Post-Truth Information Age *Special Session at DC-2017, Washington, DC, 26-29 October 2017* _____________________________________________ *:: Presenter & Facilitator:* *David Clarke*, *Synaptica®* *:: Time: *3:30-5:00 DST *:: Date:* 26 October 2017 *:: Session Homepage:* http://dcevents.dublincore.org/IntConf/index/ pages/view/sp17-postTruth *:: Registration:* http://dcevents.dublincore.org/IntConf/index/ pages/view/reg17 *Early registration ends Friday, 15 September 2017. * *Register now and save! * *Full conference and day rates are available.* _____________________________________________ SESSION DESCRIPTION: Post-truth issues are adversely affecting people all around the world. The metadata and knowledge organization communities have a mission to help people access information that is as objective, comprehensive and as relevant as possible. This session is an open invitation to members of our community to engage with these issues, contribute ideas for solutions, and consider whether DCMI has a potential role to play in charting a path forward. In 2016 the Oxford English Dictionary chose ‘post-truth’ as word of the year. Their decision was based on the proliferation of fake news stories and misinformation that accompanied both the US national election and the British EU referendum. On Earth Day in April 2017 thousands of people gathered in London for a March for Science, protesting the negative impact of post-truth culture and politics on science, research and education. How can the metadata community engage with, and respond to, these issues? In this session, David Clarke will describe the problem space and comment on the issues from the perspective of knowledge organization and information science. The session will include ample time for delegate participation, including a discussion about how the metadata community can get involved and contribute ideas for solutions. SESSION PRESENTER & FACILITATOR: *David Clarke* is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, London, and an Associate of St. George’s House, Windsor. He is cofounder and CEO of the Synaptica® group of companies, providers of enterprise software solutions for knowledge organization and discovery. He served on the authoring committee of the 2005 version of the US national standard for controlled vocabularies, ANSI/NISO Z39.19. David leads research and development at Synaptica, including software solutions for taxonomy and ontology management, text analytics and auto-categorization, image annotation and indexing, and Linked Data management. He is involved in educational outreach programs including LD4PE, the Linked Data for Professional Education initiative of DCMI. Synaptica software solutions have attracted numerous international awards including: Knowledge Management World magazine’s 100 Companies that Matter in KM and Trend Setting Product of the Year (multiple awards between 2011 and 2017). In 2016 Clarke was awarded the Knowledge Management Leadership Award by the Global Knowledge Management Congress. *For additional information about the workshop including background information on the topic and to register, visit the conference website at * http://dcevents.dublincore.org/index.php/IntConf/dc-2017.

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Job: Head of Biodiversity Informatics and Data Science, Yale Peabody Museum
by Jetz, Walter 11 Sep '17

11 Sep '17

The Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History (YPM) and Yale University invite applications for a data scientist to help develop and advance the innovative use of informatics tools for the synthesis and utilization of biodiversity information in research and education. The YPM is among the oldest, largest, and most active university natural history museums in the world. The museum has a strong track record in specimen digitization and database efforts and in contributing to national biodiversity informatics initiatives. The university hosts a range of activities in biodiversity data science and global change, including the Max Planck Yale Center of Biodiversity Movement and Global Change and digital infrastructure projects addressing global phylogenies, remote sensing, and species distributions (Map of Life). The Head of Biodiversity Informatics and Data Science is expected to support the development of an expanded vision for biodiversity- and specimen-based informatics that links the YPM scientific divisions and other university activities with the goal of developing national and international leadership roles in this arena. Responsibilities include: advancing the innovative use of informatics tools for the synthesis and utilization of biodiversity information in research and education; setting priorities and developing plans and initiatives related to Biodiversity Informatics and Data Science; partnering in the development of grant proposals for funding of informatics and data science projects; facilitating interdisciplinary collaborations and research programs at the museum, University, and national and international levels; serving as a liaison and/or representative of YPM and its partner projects. We seek an outstanding applicant working in any area of ecology, evolution, or paleobiology, and with demonstrated informatics expertise and a passion for contributing to this vision. A record of outstanding achievement and a promising research program are more important than the specific scientific area. While developer skills (below) are required, we seek candidates with active research programs and a strong record in obtaining funding in this area. We expect candidates to bring a range of skills spanning software and database development, and to specifically have the following qualifications: - Experience in taxonomic integration, such as familiarity with concepts and tools addressing taxonomic harmonization. - Familiarity with taxonomic naming concept management and formal knowledge representation addressing ontologies and semantics. - Experience with Web GIS development. - Experience in relational database management and SQL, with Postgres/PostGIS experience particularly welcome. - Experience with API development. - Programming skills in Python and R required; JavaScript and Java a plus. - Experience in R package development. - Background in cloud architecture, cloud data flows and pipelines. Preferred Education, Experience and Skills: Ph.D. in the natural sciences or computer sciences. Experience in planning, development, and implementation of biodiversity informatics projects or equivalent combination of education and experience. Competency in innovative approaches for data integration and data fusion. Previous experience with highly technical and collaborative projects. Application: To apply, please go to http://bit.ly/2fGpt34. The review of applications will begin 2 October 2017; the search will remain open until the position is filled. Yale University offers exciting opportunities for achievement and growth in New Haven, Connecticut. Conveniently located between Boston and New York, New Haven is the creative capital of Connecticut with cultural resources that include three major museums, a critically-acclaimed repertory theater, state-of-the-art concert hall, and world-renowned schools of Architecture, Art, Drama, Forestry & Environmental Studies and Music. We invite you to discover the excitement, diversity, rewards and excellence of a career at Yale University. One of the country's great workplaces, Yale University offers exciting opportunities for meaningful accomplishment and true growth. Our benefits package is among the best anywhere, with a wide variety of insurance choices, liberal paid time off, fantastic family and educational benefits, a variety of retirement benefits, extensive recreational facilities, and much more. Yale University considers applicants for employment without regard to, and does not discriminate on the basis of an individual's sex, race, color, religion, age, disability, status as a veteran, or national or ethnic origin; nor does Yale discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. Walter Jetz Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies Director, Yale Center for Biodiversity and Global Change Yale University, 165 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT 06511, USA Phone: +1-203-432-7540; Email: walter.jetz(a)yale.edu; URL: http://jetzlab.yale.edu

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Workshop: NKOS at DC-2017
by DCMI Announce 09 Sep '17

09 Sep '17

********PLEASE EXCUSE THE CROSS-POSTING******** *NKOS at DC-2017* *Full-day Workshop at DC-2017, Washington, DC, 26-29 October 2017* _______________________________________________ *:: Workshop Facilitators:* *Joseph Busch*, *Taxonomy Strategies* *Gail Hodges*, *Information International Associates* *:: Time:* 8:30-5:30 DST *:: Date:* 28 October 2017 *:: Session Homepage:* http://dcevents.dublincore.org/IntConf/index/ pages/view/sp17-nkos *:: Registration:* http://dcevents.dublincore.org/IntConf/index/ pages/view/reg17 *Early registration ends Friday, 15 September 2017. * *Register now and save! * *Full conference and day rates are available.* _______________________________________________ SESSION DESCRIPTION: The 11th U.S. Networked Knowledge Organization Systems (NKOS) Workshop will include: (1) Presentations, typically 20 minutes plus discussion time on work related to the themes of the workshop (see below); and (2) Demonstration on work related to the themes of the workshop. WORKSHOP PRESENTERS: *Courtney R. Butler*, *Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City* *Joseph Busch*, *Taxonomy Strategies* *Julaine Clunis*, *Kent State University* *Brett D. Currier*, *Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City* *Susan Pick Dubas*, *World Bank* *Paul Groth*, *Elsevier Labs* *Diane Hillman*, *Metadata Management Associates* *Marjorie Hlava*, *Access Innovations* *Gail Hodge*, *Information International Associates* *Tao Hu*, *Kent State University* *Michael Lauruhn*, *Elsevier Labs* *Sujit Pal*, *Elsevier Labs* *Cristina Pattuelli*, *Pratt Institute* *Jon Phipps*, *Metadata Management Associate*s *Denisa Popescu*, *World Bank* *Jian Qin*, *Syracuse University* *Hannah Sistrunk*, *Pratt Institute* *Dagobert Soergel*, *SUNY Buffalo* *Joseph Tennis*, *University of Washington* *Nicholas Weber*, *University of Washington* *Marcia Zeng*, *Kent State University* For additional information about the workshop, presentations and to register, visit the conference website at http://dcevents.dublincore. org/index.php/IntConf/dc-2017.

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Public review - metadata for HTS libraries based on the GGBN Data Standard - deadline 22. September 2017
by Dröge, Gabriele 23 Aug '17

23 Aug '17

Dear colleagues, Last year the Global Genome Biodiversity Network (GGBN, http://www.ggbn.org ) has published the GGBN Data Standard, which covers terms related to DNA and tissue samples (https://terms.tdwg.org/wiki/GGBN_Data_Standard, Droege et al. 2016 (https://library.ggbn.org/share/s/E3qbuKsJSwaI67IWItXCKw)). Many of you were part of the public revision process. In addition to genomic DNA the development and use of high-throughput next generation sequencing (HTS) have outstripped current plans of SYNTHESYS (http://www.synthesys.info) and GGBN to join natural history (NH) collection data with DNA and tissue collection data. HTS libraries can be considered a preparation of the genetic material of an organism(s), the actual physical molecular representation of a collection/specimen. These libraries come with specific adaptors that limit their transferability to other sequencing systems. They are prepared at great expense, but usually are only used for a single project, whilst a great deal of additional useful information may be available within these libraries. To increase the potential of the HTS libraries to be used for multiple projects they would need to be discoverable and metadata information made available. HTS library searches require the metadata to be queried on specific standardized keywords (by e.g. organism, HTS method etc.). HTS library parameters already in the GGBN Data Standard have been reviewed and augmented in order to incorporate library metadata of existing as well as future techniques. This is being realized by preparation of use-cases incorporating a range of different HTS techniques (e.g. whole genome shotgun sequencing, RADseq sequencing, single molecule MinIon sequencing). The result is a set of terms dedicated to library preparation including the pipeline parameters. Use cases are available in the GGBN Sandbox and will kept stable for at least three years. (http://wiki.ggbn.org/ggbn/Use_Cases_HTS_library_samples) Now we are kindly seeking your help with reviewing the terms and also ask for your general feedback on this initiative. GGBN does not want to reinvent the wheel, but work together with other organisations and initiatives, such as MIxS, GBIF, BOLD, INSDC. The template with the proposed HTS terms can be found in our Document Library (https://library.ggbn.org/share/s/dbHuLYuGQOiv5v8avKhhPw) for your review. We would appreciate if you could send the filled out excel sheet back before 22. September 2017 to support(a)ggbn.org<mailto:support@ggbn.org>. We are planning to present the results at TDWG 2017. This email text can also be found in our wiki: http://wiki.ggbn.org/ggbn/HTS_Public_Consultation Please feel free to forward this email to interested colleagues. With Warm Regards, Gabi Droege Technical Manager, Global Genome Biodiversity Network Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin-Dahlem Berlin, Germany And Katie Barker Program Manager, Global Genome Initiative and Global Genome Biodiversity Network National Museum of Natural History Smithsonian Institution [cid:image002.png@01D0C941.7EB85050]

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automated response
by Christy Semmens 21 Aug '17

21 Aug '17

Thank you for your message. I am out of the country leading a REEF Field Survey Trip to the Sea of Cortez. I will not have any internet access until August 26. I will respond to your message as soon as possible after that. If you need immediate assistance, please contact one of my colleagues at REEF (see http://www.REEF.org/about/staff). And don't hesitate to send me a follow-up email after my return. Thank you. Christy Pattengill-Semmens, REEF Director of Science

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