AIR-Lers, I've been working with Jenny Preece, David Jacobs, and colleagues at the Encyclopedia of Life on this fascinating project and we're hoping to bring in someone else with some experience and interest in citizen science (see details below). Regards, Derek Hansen Brigham Young University --------------------------------------------- Research Scientist: Melding humans and technology in citizen science We seek a highly qualified research scientist to work on NSF-funded research projects. We conduct research on how technology design and humans’ social behavior impacts citizens’ contributions, curation and use of digital data (photos, comments, GPS, sounds, ratings). We research how and why citizens do what they do, what encourages and what discourages their participation. Our research is multi-method and includes: how algorithms in machine learning and computer vision can be developed and integrated with human input, surveys, interviews, case studies, network analysis, data logging and experimental interventions. We use combinations of machine vision, serious games, grounded theory, research through design and cross cultural analysis. Our design activities focus on smart phone apps and Microsoft surfaces (table-top displays) in the field and in the lab. This is a full-time, 12-month appointment. The salary will range from $40,000-$48,000depending on qualifications, and includes full benefits. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to increase his/her salary through grant income. A half-time position is also a possible. The position may be renewable for a second year if satisfactory progress is made during the first year. The research scientist will work with faculty members, doctoral, masters and undergraduate students from the iSchool and Computer Science Dept. at the University of Maryland where the position will be located, as well as with researchers from Brigham Young University, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, and University of Colorado, Boulder. The position does not have a formal teaching requirement. The start date is flexible but fall 2012 is preferred. The ideal appointee will have skills and interests in the general area of technology and social behavior. Applicants should have a PhD in Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Communication, Cognitive Science, Information Science, Computational Biology or a related field. We are especially interested in applicants with an interest in data curation that involves mixed data and big data, search, machine vision, machine learning, and crowdsourcing. Applicants should have experience conducting independent research, a record of communicating research results via publications and presentations, and be willing to participate in collaborative, interdisciplinary research. Applicants shouldhave excellent communication skills and be prepared to take a leadership role in grant writing and management, and be willing to help in coordinating research activities. Direct experience of research in citizen science is not essential but willingness to become fully engaged in this topic is. Interested candidates should submit: (1) a cover letter stating background, experience, interest in the position, and career objectives, (2) a CV, (3) the names and contact information for two referees, and (4) a sample of published or submitted work to Dr. Jennifer Preece and Dr. David Jacobs (preece@umd.edu, djacobs@cs.umd.edu) with the subject line “research scientist application 2012”. Review of applications will begin immediately until the position is filled.