Job Advertisement: Closing Date 31st May 2014

Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation
Zooniverse Researcher

Employment type:  Fixed term for 2 years from 1 September 2014
Employment basis:  Full time
Salary: GBP 28,132 to GBP 31,644 per annum
Position number:  10011552

The Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation (ICG, www.icg.port.ac.uk) in
collaboration with the UoP Cross Faculty Zooniverse initiative intends
to appoint a Postdoctoral Researcher/Data Scientist with strong
experience in statistics or the statistical exploitation of large data
sets in order to further techniques for the exploitation of citizen
science for research.

The successful applicant will work on the projects in the Zooniverse
citizen science platform, run by the Citizen Science Alliance of which
the University of Portsmouth is an institutional member. The successful
candidate will participate in the development of the Zooniverse's post
citizen input data processing software as well as in the development of
new citizen science projects to support University of Portsmouth
researchers. Local expertise in citizen science is found both in ICG
(Prof. Bob Nichol, Dr Karen Masters), and PBS (Dr Joe Cox).

The successful applicant will spend 50% of their time collaborating with
a remote team in both Oxford University, and Chicago, USA on efforts
towards the development and deployment of the Zooniverse citizen science
platform (www.zooniverse.org) - the world's largest and most
productive collections of online citizen science projects. ICG's work
in the area of citizen science dates from the 2007 launch of Galaxy Zoo
- the project which inspired the creation of the Zooniverse.  Within
PBS, Dr Joe Cox is the PI of an EPSRC funded project to study the
economics of volunteering in the Zooniverse. Building on this work, the
University of Portsmouth has recently joined the international
Zooniverse collaboration in a University wide initiative involving the
Faculties of Technology, Science, Creative and Cultural Industries,
Humanities and Social Science, and The Portsmouth Business School. The
successful applicant will be responsible for supporting citizen science
project development and implementation from departments across all
subjects covered by the University, and their main task will be to
assist researchers from both the University of Portsmouth and beyond to
quickly and reliably obtain research publications from their involvement
in citizen science projects.

The Zooniverse uses some of the best technology to provide cutting-edge
tools to scientists using the platform; we expect the results produced
by this researcher to be adopted by the Zooniverse team and deployed in 
production across the platform. There is an opportunity to work with a
dynamic, innovative and international team of developers and scientists.
There will be the opportunity to travel, and to work in areas across a
diverse range of research.

The successful candidate will be based at the ICG. The ICG consists of
12 academic staff, 12 postdoctoral researchers and 20 PhD students, and
is a member of the Sloan Digital Sky Surveys (SDSS-III and SDSS-IV), the
Dark Energy Survey, the UK Low Frequency Array (LOFAR:UK) and the UK
National Cosmology Supercomputer Consortium (COSMOS). The University of
Portsmouth is a member of the South-East Physics Network (SEPnet) and
hosts the 1000-core SEPnet-ASTRO supercomputer (SCIAMA). More
information is available at http://www.icg.port.ac.uk.

A PhD or equivalent in a relevant subject (e.g. statistics, computer
science, or science with a relevant specialism) is required, as is
experience of working with large data sets and the ability to creatively
solve problems and work effectively in a diverse and geographically
spread team. Candidates should be able to demonstrate an interest in
citizen science techniques, and excellent written and oral communication
skills.

Your completed application form should include a CV, publication list
and research statement. Applicants should also arrange for up to three
reference letters to be sent by email to [log in to unmask], to arrive
by the same date.

Late applications may be considered; please contact the HR Recruitment
team via [log in to unmask] for details on how to apply.

We welcome applications from all qualified applicants, but applications
are particularly encouraged from traditionally under-represented groups
in science/technology. The University of Portsmouth is member of the
Athena SWAN charter and an Institute of Physics Project Juno Supporter;
these projects show a commitment to introduce organisational and
cultural practices that promote gender equality in science and create a
better working environment for men and women.

For informal enquiries please contact Karen Masters via email at
([log in to unmask]) or by calling +44 (0)23 9284 3137.

For detailed information about the vacancy, please visit
https://port.engageats.co.uk and apply on line.

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