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PhD student position on question-based analysis of geographic information with semantic queries, Utrecht (The Netherlands), Deadline: 16 Feb 2020
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PhD Position (1.0 Fte) for 4 Years in Question-Based Analysis of
Geographic Information with Semantic Queries
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HOURS PER WEEK: 38 to 40
FACULTY: Faculty of Geosciences
DEPARTMENT: GEO / Dept SGPL
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 16 February 2020
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JOB DESCRIPTION
In the age of big data, geographic information has become a central means
for data scientists of various disciplines to embed their analysis into a
spatio-temporal context, from human mobility patterns and social
inequality to the investigation of personal health. However, as the
variety of data sources and software available on the web increases, it
becomes more and more impossible to comprehend and utilize all tools and
data available to answer geo-analytical questions. Hence, whenever a
functionality is needed but not available in one tool, analysts are forced
to reformulate their questions in terms of technicalities of another tool
or other datasets. This procedure does not scale with the increasing
variety of geo-analytic sources on the web, preventing analysts from
tapping its full potential. Consider, in contrast, how easy it is for a
user of a digital smartphone assistant such as Amazon?s Alexa to ask a
question like 'What is the weather today?' and receive a response from the
web. It would mean a tremendous breakthrough if analysts could similarly
ask questions in order to get the tools and data required to answer them.
Unfortunately, geo-analytic technology currently cannot handle questions.
To realize this vision, it is necessary to understand how geo-analytic
resources can be captured with the questions they answer. The QuAnGIS
project, a 5-year research project at the University of Utrecht that
started in January 2019 funded by the European Research Commission (ERC),
develops a theory about interrogative spatial concepts needed to turn
geo-analytical questions into machine-readable workflows using Semantic
Web, Workflow synthesis and Question-Answering (QA) technology. The focus
is on 'core concepts of spatial information', field, object, network,
event (Kuhn 2012), and related analytical concepts such as accessibility,
exposure, density, distance and aggregation. Based on these concepts,
questions can be matched with the capacity of major analytical GIS tools
and data sources on the web.
QuAnGIS is highly interdisciplinary at the intersection of Human
Geography, GIScience, GIS, Information Science, Semantic Web (ontologies),
Computational Linguistics and Ontologies. It involves both empirical and
computational studies as well as formal/ontological design. The
theoretical outcomes of this research will be implemented in a working QA
system. Hence, software engineering and development are also relevant to
this project. Following the interdisciplinary nature of the project,
collaboration with outside investigators is a noticeable part of the
project. Current collaborations include investigators from Eindhoven
University of Technology (Netherlands), the University of California,
Santa Barbara (USA), and the University of Melbourne (Australia).
The new PhD position in this project should focus on the information
theory and technology needed to enable GIS analysts to translate (1)
geographic questions into analytic workflows and (2) to retrieve
corresponding resources for analysis. The main research question is: How
can the analytic potential of geo-analytical resources (data and tools) be
described in terms of potential workflows and be linked to the questions
they answer? This involves an investigation into GIS tools and their
functionality in terms of semantic concepts, as well as standard web data
sources, and how both can be linked. Furthermore, it involves developing a
transformation language that can be used to search over GIS workflows
using question concepts. Both will be a basis for building an integrated
extensible web repository about analytical tools and data sources that can
be queried using questions.
Tasks of the PhD-student consist of (but are not limited to):
- conducting scientific research in the fields of Geospatial Semantics, Geographic Information Science, Ontology Engineering, and Semantic Web relevant to handling spatial questions and analytic resources;
- the collection and semantic description of GIS scenarios for developing a gold standard of questions and workflows. In particular, describing analytic (web) resources for geospatial analysis (tools and data) in a semantic database (MarkLogic);
- the development of workflow synthesis technology and a transformation language for matching questions with workflows composed from resources;
- helping perform user studies for testing the tool/data repository with geospatial analysts;
- publishing results in scientific journals and presentation in high-quality international conferences in these fields;
- collaboration with outside investigators in joint studies;
- organizing multi-stakeholder meetings and workshops to test and discuss the technology;
- developing teaching skills, students are expected to contribute to the teaching programme of the Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning to a limited degree (up to 10%). It may also involve the supervision of Master projects.
Your responsibilities:
- start the project preferably in May or later in 2020 upon negotiations;
- meet the goals/deadlines as set out in the project proposal;
- complete a PhD thesis within the 4-year contract period.
The project team is part of a new Geographic Information Methods (GIM) interest group within the Social Urban Transitions (SUT) research programme in the Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University. It is linked to the Healthy Urban Living research group comprising a wide variety of researchers, for instance with backgrounds in transport geography, epidemiology, urban geography, and health sciences. It is also linked to the Vitality Data Centre, a project involving data scientists and researchers interested in methods for assessing physical activity and health. Currently, the core research team consists of the principal investigator (supervisor), a postdoc, and a PhD student.
QUALIFICATIONS
We seek a highly motivated PhD student who has a strong interest in thinking about data semantics as well as geographic analysis and GIS technology, with:
- an MSc degree in Geographic Information, Computer Science, Data Science or Geography;
- a strong affinity and motivation for doing basic scientific research in an interdisciplinary setting;
- an open mind, the ability to think creatively and outside the box;
- analytical skills and interest in geographic data analysis;
- an interest in academic theory development and abstraction as well as theory application;
- affinity with scientific research in Geospatial Semantics, GIScience or Semantic Web/Ontology engineering;
- experience with Semantic Web technology, GIS technology or Data Science technology;
- experience with web (geo-spatial) data sources and corresponding APIs, such as Open Street Map (OSM);
- solid abilities in programming and application development are needed. Experience in web programming, Semantic Web development or Machine Learning is a bonus;
- an independent, pro-active working style;
- motivation to work in an international team with outside collaborators;
- excellent scientific communication skills (written and verbally) in English.
OFFER
We offer a position (1.0 FTE) for four years. The gross salary starts with ?2,325 per month in the first year and increases to ?2,972 (scale P according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities) per month for a full-time employment. Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3% per year. In addition, Utrecht University offers excellent secondary conditions, including an attractive retirement scheme, (partly paid) parental leave and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model) (https://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/working-at-utrecht-university/terms-of-employment). More information about working at Utrecht University can be found here: https://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/working-at-utrecht-university
ABOUT THE ORGANISATION
A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University (https://www.uu.nl/en), the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.
Utrecht University's Faculty of Geosciences (https://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/faculty-of-geosciences) studies the Earth: from the Earth's core to its surface, including man's spatial and material utilisation of the Earth - always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the Faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.
The Faculty of Geosciences conducts education and research concerning the
geosphere, biosphere, atmosphere, and anthroposphere. With a complement of
2,600 students (BSc and MSc) and 600 staff, the Faculty is a strong
organisation. The Faculty is organised in four Departments: Innovation,
Environmental & Energy Sciences, Earth Sciences, Physical Geography, and
Human Geography & Spatial Planning.
The Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning has its focus on
the enhancement of long-term economic developments of cities, how to cope
with social inequalities and how to ensure a healthy urban living.
Research on these topics takes place within our research program 'Urban
Futures: Transitions Towards Economic and Social Sustainability for
Cities'.
Our research program is the basis of our Research Master's Human Geography
and Geographical Information Management and Applications (GIMA) and
professional Masters in Human Geography, International Development Studies
and Spatial Planning. The department runs also a large and highly
appreciated Bachelor's programme and is part of the Netherlands Graduate
School of Urban and Regional Research for PhD candidates.
The city of Utrecht is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, with a
charming old center and an internationally oriented culture that is
strongly influenced by its centuries-old university. Utrecht city has been
consistently ranked as one of the most liveable cities in the Netherlands.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For more information about this position, please contact:
Simon Scheider (Assistant Professor), via s.scheider@uu.nl or +31 30 253 29 66.
APPLY
Everyone deserves to feel at home at our university. We welcome employees
with a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives. To apply, please send
your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation via the
application form at
https://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/working-at-utrecht-university/jobs/phd-position-10-fte-for-4-years-in-question-based-analysis-of-geographic-information-with-semantic.
The application deadline is 16 February 2020.
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