Dear AoIR: Reminder that applications for this position close this Friday: More info: http://www.ria.ie/About/Human-Resources/Vacancies/Linked-Data-Postdoctoral-R... LINKED DATA POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER (10 MONTH FIXED TERM CONTRACT) The Royal Irish Academy: The Royal Irish Academy/Acadamh Ríoga na hÉireann is a publicly funded institution established for the promotion of learning in the sciences and humanities throughout Ireland. The Academy was founded by Royal Charter in 1785. The Academy is an all-island independent forum that brings together the worlds of academia, government and industry, to address issues of mutual interest, through our major outreach events and legacy projects. Drawing on our Members’ expertise, we make a significant contribution to public debate and public policy formation on issues in science, technology and culture. We lead important national research projects, particularly in areas relating to Ireland and its heritage. In addition, the Academy represents the world of Irish learning internationally, maintains and enhances a unique globally-recognised library and is a leading academic publisher. The Digital Repository of Ireland: The Digital Repository of Ireland is a project of the RIA, and is an interactive national trusted digital repository for contemporary and historical, social and cultural data held by Irish institutions. DRI works with common data and metadata standards, formats, access rights, and research tools, and it is linking, opening and preserving social sciences, arts and cultural collections and audio-visual archives. This is an exciting project with a national mandate and a cross-disciplinary, energetic team. DRI funded partners are the Royal Irish Academy (RIA, lead institute), National University of Ireland Maynooth (NUIM), Trinity College Dublin (TCD), Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT), National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG), and National College of Art and Design (NCAD). DRI is partnering with cultural institutions such as the National Broadcaster RTE, and the National Library of Ireland. For additional information please see www.dri.ie.<http://www.dri.ie/> The Position: The Academy is seeking applications for a ten month fixed term contract position as DRI-Irish Records Linkage Linked Data Postdoctoral Researcher. This is a full time dedicated role within the collaborative Irish Records Linkage 1864-1913 project, which started in January 2014. The successful candidate shall work with two Principal Investigators on this project, Dr Sandra Collins (Director of the DRI), and Dr. Ciara Breathnach (University of Limerick). This exciting interdisciplinary project entitled Irish Record Linkage, 1864-1913, is funded by the Irish Research Council and is at the nexus of linked data technologies, digital archiving and medical humanities. The project aims to provide a comprehensive map of infant and maternal mortality for Dublin from 1864-1913. We will create a Knowledge Platform entitled Irish Record Linkage (IRL) to enhance the research potential of individual level metadata, using best practice in Digital Archiving and the application of Linked Data principles on top of RDF triple stores, ontologies and competency questions created for this project. The application of Linked Data technologies with state of the art digital archiving and discovery technologies will allow us to interrogate this historical ‘Big Data’. Prof. Stefan Decker, Director of Insight at NUIG is a funded investigator on this project, bringing his world-leading expertise in Linked Data and the semantic web. The project aims to apply Linked Data technologies and ontology engineering with state of the art digital archiving and discovery technologies to historical Irish vital registration data (births, deaths and marriage records) within the strictest levels of data protection, and present a highly accurate spatial reconstruction of maternal and infant mortality for Dublin. A further aim is to examine the extent to which communicable diseases, such as Tuberculosis complicated these data. This contract is funded from an Irish Research Council, Interdisciplinary Research Project Grants Scheme 2013 and will be filled on a 10-month fixed term contract (full time, five day week). The successful applicant must be in a position to start no later than the 5th January 2015. The Linked Data Postdoctoral Researcher is an important role in this mature project team of currently 8 members; building the linked data platform and ontologies and providing answers to the key competency questions of the project, as well as the presentation to end users thereof. The successful candidate will be based in the DRI offices in the RIA on Dawson Street, Dublin 2. Reporting to the DRI Director, the DRI-Irish Records Linkage Linked Data Postdoctoral Researcher will be responsible for: • Working closely with the DRI Director, and the project teams in DRI, UL and NUIG in the day-to-day operation of the collaborative Irish Records Linkage 1864-1913 project • Managing professional relationships with the project partner organisations and team members and data custodians • Specifying, implementing and testing the IRL (Irish Records Linkage, 1864-1913) Linked Data based platform, prototype and demonstrator • Researching, developing and implementing ontologies based on competency questions formulated by the domain experts and answering those competency questions • Publishing the research findings of the Irish Records Linkage 1864-1913 project, and travelling to international conferences to present the research • Assisting in writing grant and funding proposals • Assisting in the organisation of outreach and events for the Irish Records Linkage 1864-1913 project • Assisting in the project management and reporting required for the Irish Records Linkage 1864-1913 project • Any other duties as assigned. Qualifications and Experience: The successful candidate will be a self-motivated graduate with an excellent command of English. Candidates must have: • A PhD in a relevant area, or a higher degree in computer science combined with equivalent work experience • Skills and expertise in Linked Data, Semantic Web, information science, ontologies, and developing competency questions • Hands-on practical experience of developing RDF triple stores and the creation of ontologies • Practical knowledge of rule languages such as SWRL, SPIN, etc. • Strong oral and written communications skills, with the ability and confidence to engage with project partners and stakeholders clearly and professionally • Evidence of strong organisational and self-motivational skills • Experience of working in a fast-paced environment and to deadlines • Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to operate flexibly as a member of this cross-disciplinary team. Salary: The salary scale applicable is the Post Doctoral Researcher Level 2. €33,975 to €46,255 p.a. (10 points) 1 November 2013 scale Candidates should note that entry point will be in line with Government pay policy. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy. Salary is payable on the 15th of each month. PRSI is payable at the A1 rate. Hours of Work The normal hours of work are 37 hours per week as follows:- Monday to Thursday 9.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m with one hour for lunch Friday 9:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m with 45 minutes for lunch Hours of work may be adjusted from time to time in line with government policy. Overtime is not paid in respect of excess attendance which, should it arise, is discharged by time-off in lieu at times agreed in advance with the Director. Leave: The annual leave entitlement is twenty-five days per annum, pro-rata for shorter periods and part time working. Entitlement to leave for Public Holidays is in accordance with the terms of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997. There is a requirement to take up to four days annual leave where the Academy is closed at Easter and Christmas. Medical: Staff shall, if required, and at the expense of the Academy, submit to a medical examination by a registered medical practitioner nominated by the Academy and shall authorise such medical practitioner to disclose and to discuss with the Academy the results of the examination and the matters which arise from it so that the Academy can ascertain any matters that they consider might impair a staff member from properly discharging his/her duties. Pension: Details of the appropriate pension scheme will be provided upon determination of appointee’s status. Pension-Related Deduction: This appointment is subject to the pension-related deduction in accordance with the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009. Application Process Completed applications consisting of one electronic copy (with all documents contained in one MS Word file/PDF) must be submitted by e-mail to hr@ria.ie<mailto:hr@ria.ie> in the order as set out below:- 1. A statement demonstrating how you meet the requirements for the post. 2. A curriculum vitae summarising your qualifications and relevant experience Applicants will be shortlisted on the basis of information provided in their application. Closing date: The closing date for applications is Friday 28th November 2014 at 12 noon. Late applications will not be considered. We anticipate interviews taking place on 8th or 9th December 2014. The Royal Irish Academy is an equal opportunities employer _________________ Dr. Natalie Harrower | Manager, Education and Outreach | Digital Repository of Ireland Royal Irish Academy | 19 Dawson St. Dublin 2 n.harrower@ria.ie | @natalieharrower | @dri_ireland | www.dri.ie The Royal Irish Academy is subject to the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 & 2003 and is compliant with the provisions of the Data Protection Acts 1988 & 2003. For further information see our website www.ria.ie