The departments of Geo-Information Processing (GIP) and Urban and Regional Planning and Geo-Information Management (PGM) are active in the domain of citizen science, an emerging field of research that aims at active engagement of citizens in a research process such as data collection or data validation. The two departments look at it from different but complementary perspectives. Typically, GIP provides a technological/methodological perspective, while PGM emphasizes the participatory process and planning perspective. GIP and PGM wish to make their citizen science activities more explicit. Therefore, we look for a researcher with a good mix of technological and social science know-how and a deep interest in facilitating public participation in scientific research as well as in exploring the broad concept of citizen science from multiple perspectives.

1. Make an inventory of the different ways in which citizens and scientists can work together (data collectors, data reviewers, data analysts, “validators”, tool developers, etc.)
2. Explore open data and open-access/open-source solutions that can support citizen science projects, with a focus on the spatio-temporal dimension
3. Prototype novel analytical workflows to support citizen science (and showcase them using a selection of GIP and PGM projects)
4. Evaluate the adequacy of the GIP and PGM labs (geovisualization/virtual reality, user research and group decision room) for citizen science projects

• Master or doctoral degree in geography, planning, geomatics or any other relevant discipline  
• Experience in the domains of citizen science, volunteered geographical information, crowdsourcing and/or participatory (modelling) approaches
• Experience in geospatial data handling
• Experience in open source programming (e.g. Python and/or R)
• First-rate report writing skills /very good command of English
• High motivation to work in international and multi-disciplinary teams 

INFORMATION AND APPLICATION

Additional information regarding the position can be obtained from Prof. Zurita Milla (email: r.zurita-milla@utwente.nl). You are also invited to visit our homepage.

Please submit your application before 15 March 2020 (choose “apply here” below). Your application has to include (i) a motivation letter clearly stating how you meet the selection criteria and (ii) a detailed CV with references. 

We offer a fulltime position in an inspiring and challenging international environment. You will be employed for one year.

• Gross monthly salary between € 2,579.00 and € 4,274.00 depending on experience and qualifications (job profile Researcher level 4).
• A holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and a year-end bonus of 8.3%
• Excellent support for professional and personal development
• A solid pension scheme
• Possibilities to save up holidays for sabbatical leave
• Minimum of 41 holiday days in case of fulltime employment

The University of Twente. We stand for life sciences and technology. High tech and human touch. Education and research that matter. New technology which leads change, innovation and progress in society. The University of Twente is the only campus university of the Netherlands; divided over five faculties we provide more than fifty educational programmes. We have a strong focus on personal development and talented researchers are given scope for carrying out groundbreaking research.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status. Because of our diversity values we do particularly support women to apply.

The Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC) of the University of Twente provides international postgraduate education, research and project services in the field of geo-information science and earth observation using remote sensing and GIS. The aim of ITC's activities is the international exchange of knowledge, focusing on capacity building and institutional development in developing countries and emerging economies.