Open position: Research Associate in Large Scale Data and Information Normalisation and Integration

The Department of Computer Science has a position for Research Associate in Large Scale Data and Information Normalisation and Integration. The position is supported by the externally funded WeSenseIt research project, supported by the European Commission as part of FP7.

WeSenseIt (www.wesenseit.eu) is a multi-site, multi-disciplinary project involving researchers and industrial partners in web technologies, environment, sensing, as well as social media monitoring. Working together with the EU and our sister projects this project aims to develop a new concept of citizen observatories of water creating a two communication channel between authorities and citizens in cooperating to monitor rivers, covering water quality to flooding. In order to create these observatories we will be providing the technological method, by working with data from, social media (Facebook and Twitter), physical sensors, our developing mobile applications and even from the creation of our own novel low cost sensors. It is our task to develop these sensors so that the general public can build them themselves. We will also be working towards methods to integrate data provided by these areas into a models and solutions that supports both parties.  

The post-holder will be required to collaborate with other researchers working on the project, both in Sheffield and at partners' sites across Europe. Interacting with citizens is of particular importance and therefore an excellent command of the English language is required.

Given the project's aims, a strong background in computer science and software engineering is essential, as is knowledge of web technologies and crowdsourcing. Strong programming skills in Java, Javascript, HTML, PHP are essential. Programming skills in Python are desirable. Experience in client server architectures is required (for example use of Apache Tomcat, Json, etc.). Experience with some or all of the following specific areas is highly desirable: information integration and human computer interaction.

Appointment will be made at either Research Assistant (Grade 6) or Research Associate (Grade 7) depending on skills and experience of the candidate. If appointed at the higher Grade 7, the appointee must have more experience in information and data integration and knowledge of big data methods; and will be expected to play a more responsible role including.

• Input to the research direction of the project.
• Design and implement methods for information and data integration over large scale and associated web technologies.
• Design of experiments to evaluate the components and systems developed in the project.

Coordinate and liaise with the Principal Investigator and other members of the research group and project collaborators over work progress.

This is an opportunity to work in a well-connected international team with a world-leading reputation. The OAK Group at Sheffield is well known internationally for its research.

The post is fixed-term for 24 months. The post is full time and is compatible with studying for a PhD part time in our group. 

For informal enquiry, please contact Prof Fabio Ciravegna (f.ciravegna@shef.ac.uk) AND Dr Stuart Wrigley (s.wrigley@dcs.shef.ac.uk)

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Prof Fabio Ciravegna,
Professor of Language and Knowledge Technologies,
Department of Computer Science, University of Sheffield,
Regent Court, 211 Portobello, S1 4DP, Sheffield, UK
Tel: +44(0)1142221940, Fax: +44(0)1142221810
www: http://staffwww.dcs.shef.ac.uk/People/F.Ciravegna/