The Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University is seeking a Staff Associate I to support the data services of geochemical data systems (Astromaterials Data System, EarthChem) operated by the Geoinformatics Research Group. Curates user contributed content of the data repositories, including quality assurance and quality control of data and metadata, DOI/IGSN assignment, maintenance of data templates; supports users with data submission and data access; contributes to designing data validation, process automation, and new tools to meet community needs; regularly reviews and updates documentation of data curation workflows. Participates in conducting usability tests, training, and outreach activities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Review & process data sets and data packages submitted to the Astromat Data Archive, including review, quality control, and approval of submitted datasets and metadata, registration of datasets with DOI; provide user support via RT and user training; maintain and improve Help materials; assist with usability tests and user surveys; document user requirements for technical team.
• Identify opportunities for improving data submission tools and data processing workflows, data validation, and data review; maintain documentation of curation procedures, and work with the Astromat team to implement these.
• Contribute to training and outreach activities.
• Contribute to testing of new software releases.
• Reports to the Doherty Senior Research Scientist and interacts directly with data curators.
• Will receive general supervision and exercises independent judgement and intitiative within specific guidelines.

The successful candidate will have a Bachelor's Degree in Earth & Environmental Sciences and 4 years of related experience in laboratory work in analytical geochemistry and/or working with geological samples. A Master's Degree in Earth Sciences or in Climate and Society can substitute for work experience. Proficiency in MS Excel required. Attention to detail is critical. Excellent organizational and strong written and oral communication skills. Experience in data management including cleaning, recording, and organizing data and/or metadata, knowledge of SQL or other querying language, familiarity with Python and Jupyter Notebooks, and experience with or desire to learn about controlled vocabulariesis strongly preferred.

The search will remain open for at least 30 days after the ad appears and will remain open until the position is filled.

Appointments are made on a fiscal year basis and are eligible for renewal each July 1st, contingent upon performance and funding.

Columbia University benefits accompany this Officer of Research appointment.

We accept online applications only. 

Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Pay Transparency Disclosure

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training.  The above hiring range represents the University?s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

About Columbia University

Columbia University is one of the world's most important centers of research and at the same time a distinctive and distinguished learning environment for undergraduates and graduate students in many scholarly and professional fields. The University recognizes the importance of its location in New York City and seeks to link its research and teaching to the vast resources of a great metropolis. It seeks to attract a diverse and international faculty and student body, to support research and teaching on global issues, and to create academic relationships with many countries and regions. It expects all areas of the university to advance knowledge and learning at the highest level and to convey the products of its efforts to the world.

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