Data Visualisation Software Developer

Please quote ref no: BAS 87/13 B
Closing date for applications: 13 Oct 2013

Main Description

The British Antarctic Survey (BAS), part of the Natural Environment Research Council, aims to undertake a world-class programme of scientific research, and to sustain for the UK an active and influential regional presence and a leadership role in Antarctic affairs. We are currently seeking a data visualisation software developer to contribute to the development of a web-based marine data visualisation system.

You will be based in the Polar Data Centre working as part of a team of data managers who are responsible for the management of data collected by UK funded scientists in the Polar Regions. We are beginning an exciting new project to enhance the availability and accessibility of BAS marine data, a major element of which is to provide access to, and visualisation of, marine data to internal and external users.

We are seeking an enthusiastic software developer with skills in server-side and client-side development of a web-based data system. The project will involve working on a system that can display marine data collected from the current BAS research vessel RRS James Clark Ross as well as previous BAS vessels. The system will allow visualization of real-time data streams such as sea surface temperature as well as providing access to historical data. You should have experience with a number of JavaScript frameworks and be able to create responsive websites that will operate on a variety of devices. We use Geoserver and Openlayers for our web-mapping and you will be working primarily in PHP using Laravel and Java Tomcat. Familiarity with Open Geospatial Consortium web mapping and feature services is important as well as a knowledge of the emerging Sensor Observation Service. We will be using standards based APIs wherever possible and demonstrable experience of working with a range of APIs would be beneficial. Experience in working with relational databases is essential while experience of spatial database extensions such as PostGIS would be highly desirable.

Qualifications: Degree or equivalent in a numerate subject area

Duration: The post is a 6 month fixed term, full-time appointment (37 hours per week), ideally starting in early October 2013.

Salary: Salary will be in the range of £26,450 to £29,710 per annum depending on skills and experience but there may be additional upward flexibility for the right candidate. We offer a generous benefits package including a defined salary pension scheme, free car parking, flexible working hours and 30 days annual leave.

On-line application forms and further information are available on our website at www.antarctica.ac.uk/employment

These are also available from the Human Resources Section, British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET. Tel: (01223) 221508.

Please quote reference: BAS 87/13 B
Closing date for receipt of application forms is 13th October 2013
Interviews are scheduled to be held on. w/c TBC

We welcome applications from all sections of the community. People from ethnic minorities are currently under-represented and their applications are particularly welcome.

Formal Description

Data Visualisation Software Developer
Ref No.: BAS 87/13 B
Closing Date: 13 Oct 2013

1.	Job Title:	Data Visualisation Software Developer
	Reference No:	BAS 87/13 B
	Department:	Polar Data Centre
	Line Manager:	Senior Web Systems Developer
	Contract Type:	Fixed term appointment

2.	Location: Cambridge

3.	Purpose: To assist in the creation of a web-based marine data visualisation system as part a wider marine data project.

Duties:
1) Assist data centre staff in delivering a web-based system to access, visualise and deliver BAS marine data.

2) Liaise with BAS researchers, data managers and web developers to scope and test this system.

3) Report progress and communicate project issues with the line manager.

4) Produce clear and accurate system documentation.

Skills Specification

Data Visualisation Software Developer
Ref No.: BAS 87/13 B
Closing Date: 13 Oct 2013

Characteristics

Essential Requirements
Importance rating in parenthesis

Desirable Requirements
Importance rating in parenthesis

-Choose-

* Understanding of marine data

(4)

Communication skillsa) oral skillsb) written skills

* Ability to clearly report progress against deadlines
* Fluent in written and spoken English language and able to communicate effectively with BAS scientists at all levels in the organization

Computer / IT skills

* Experience developing web interfaces to data
* Experience of the Unix or Linux environment
* Relational database experience

* Familiarity with relevant standards from the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC),particularly the Web Map Service specification	(1)
* Understanding of GIS principles and experience of ESRI’s ArcGIS	(3)
* Experience of software packages relating to the processing and/or management of scientific data	(4)
* Spatial database experience – e.g. PostGIS, Oracle Spatial	(1)
* Experience of using an enterprise level database such as Oracle or PostgreSQL	(1)

Decision Making

* Ability to work independently once fully trained in the role

Interpersonal skills

* Experience of working successfully within a small team

Qualifications

* Degree or equivalent in a numerate subject area

* MSc or higher in a scientific or information technology discipline

(4)

Skills / Experience

* Demonstrable ability to produce accurate and clear system documentation
* Web application development
* HTML/CSS experience
* Demonstrable web programming skills (PHP, Python, Javascript)

* Operational data visualisation or data management experience	(1)
* Web GIS experience – OpenLayers, Google Maps API, LeafletJS, etc	(2)
* Experience with responsive designs	(4)
* Other demonstrable programming skills (C, Java, PL/SQL etc.)	(3)