LONDON SCHOOL OF HYGIENE & TROPICAL MEDICINE
FURTHER PARTICULARS
1. Advertisement
Data Repository Software Developer
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, an internationally renowned
centre for research and postgraduate education in public and global health, is
seeking to recruit an enthusiastic and innovative individual to the post of Data
Repository Software Developer. The post holder will work in the Research Data
Management Support Service, a new initiative within the Library & Archives Service,
which has been set up to help researchers to manage and share their research data.
The post holder will be responsible for designing, developing, and implementing an
institutional Research Data Repository for the School. Utilising the ePrints repository
software (http://www.eprints.org/) as a basis, they will need to extend its functionality
to address School requirements and the distinct management needs of health data.
The final product will be a live Data Repository system that can be used by LSHTM
researchers to curate, preserve and share selected research data in accordance with
best practice and at an appropriate level of granularity
To apply you should have a recognised qualification in a relevant degree (computing
science or one with a significant IT component) or have significant experience of
software development. You must be thorough and methodical, able to work
independently to tight deadlines, and possess excellent interpersonal and
communication skills.
Salary will be on the Professional Support Grade 5 scale in the range £31,376 –
£36,018 inclusive per annum, plus generous holiday allowance. This is a fixed term
post up to June 2015.
Applications should be made on-line via our website at http://jobs.lshtm.ac.uk/.
Applications should also include the names and email contacts of 2 referees who
can be contacted immediately if shortlisted. Any queries regarding the application
process may be addressed to jobs@lshtm.ac.uk. Please quote reference CSL43.
Closing date for receipt of applications is 10pm on 02 October 2013.
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is committed to being an equal
opportunities employer.
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2. THE LONDON SCHOOL OF HYGIENE & TROPICAL MEDICINE
(LSHTM)
THE SCHOOL
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is one of Europe’s leading
schools of Public Health and a leading postgraduate institution worldwide for
research and postgraduate education in global health.
Part of the University of London, the London School is the largest institution of its
kind in Europe with a remarkable depth and breadth of expertise encompassing
many disciplines. The School was ranked one of the top 3 research institutions in the
country in the Times Higher Education’s 'table of excellence', which is based on the
2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). In 2009, the School became the first
UK institution to win the Gates Award for Global Health.
The School’s environment is a rich multicultural one: there are almost 4000 students
from 100+ countries following 22 taught masters courses delivered either in London
(~650) or through distance learning (~2700), and undertaking research degree
training (~400). Over 40% of these students are from non-European countries. The
largest growth has been in distance learning students (>40% over 3 years), though
the London-based student population (where accommodation limits growth) is at its
highest level ever. Alumni are working in more than 180 countries. The School has
about 1500 staff drawn from over 60 nationalities.
There are research collaborations with over 100 countries throughout the world,
utilizing our critical mass of multidisciplinary expertise which includes clinicians,
epidemiologists, statisticians, social scientists, economists, molecular biologists,
immunologists, ophthalmologists, anthropologists, virologists, pharmacologists and
nutritionists. At any one time around 100 School staff are based overseas,
particularly in Africa and Asia. We have a strong commitment to partnership with
institutions in low and middle income countries to support the development of
teaching and research capacity.
The School has expanded greatly in recent years. Its research funding now exceeds
£67M per annum, much of it from highly competitive national and international
sources. The commitment of staff to methodological rigour, innovative thinking and
policy relevance will ensure that the School continues to occupy a leadership
position in national and global health, adapting quickly to new challenges and
opportunities.
Mission
To improve health and health equity in the UK and worldwide; working in partnership
to achieve excellence in public and global health research, education and translation
of knowledge into policy and practice.
3. Library & Archives Service
Library Service
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The Library has a comprehensive collection of printed and electronic material in the
fields of public health and tropical medicine. E-resources including databases,
journals and a growing number of e-books, are accessible via the School network.
As well as serving members of the School, the Library welcomes over 800 visitors a
year who come to consult the specialist collections.
Archives & Records Management Service
The archives of the School date from the mid-nineteenth century and consist of
correspondence and personal papers of scientific, medical and public health
professionals involved in the search for preventative measures and cures to diseases.
There are also administrative papers of the School, an extensive photographic
collection, and scientific and medical artefacts. The collections relate to the United
Kingdom and countries in Asia and Africa.
Archives staff provide a central records management service for the School and deal
with Freedom of Information and Data Protection enquiries. The development of a
Research Data Management Support Service takes forward many of the practices
used in the archival world to consider the requirements necessary to manage
research data generated at the School.
Research Data Management at LSHTM
The Research Data Management Support Service is a new initiative that has been set
up to enhance data management practices among researchers within the School. It
builds upon a scoping study performed at the School which identified the need to
provide researchers with resources, including software tools and education material,
to help them to maintain their data more effectively. The current phase of the Service,
taking place between 2012–2015 is focussed upon establishing the infrastructure
necessary to help researchers to create, manage, and share their research data in a
manner that represents best practice. Further information on the RDM Support
Service is available through the project blog http://blogs.lshtm.ac.uk/rdmss/.
The Library & Archives Service has a staff of 28 and the staff structure is attached.
4. The Post
The Data Repository Software Developer post is based in the Library & Archives
Service, reporting to the Head of Library & Archives Service. It is managed by the
Project Manager (Research Data Management).
The post holder will be responsible for designing, developing, and implementing an
institutional Research Data Repository for use in describing, curating, preserving,
and disseminating health data produced by LSHTM researchers in accordance with
best practice. They will also be expected to provide assistance to researchers who
wish to use the system.
This is a fixed term post until June 2015
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5. Job Description
FACULTY/DIVISION: Administrative & Academic Services
DEPARTMENT: Library & Archives Service
GRADE: Professional Support Pathway 5
MANAGED BY: Project Manager (Research Data Management)
Specific responsibilities will be to:
1. Produce an implementation plan for the Research Data Repository that
addresses established functional requirements and fits within the broad
framework established for the Research Data Management Support Service.
2. Develop and implement an OAIS (Open Archival Information System) compliant
data repository, utilising off-the-shelf components where feasible, that is capable
of acquiring, describing, curating, preserving, and making available health data
3. Perform activities necessary to ensure that the Research Data Repository can be
maintained as an ongoing service, in co-ordination with the Project Manager
(RDM)
4. Liaise with research staff, IT Services Staff, and other internal/external data
experts to trial components of the Research Data Repository, including the
processing of data and metadata.
5. Respond to queries and provide support to researchers who wish to create
metadata records and deposit data in the repository, as required
6. Produce reports, discussion papers, and other written material that document
various aspects of the Research Data Repository, including its development,
implementation, operation and use.
7. Contribute to the planning, operation, and promotion of the Research Data
Management Support Service, as required by the Project Manager.
8. Deliver presentations on topics related to work performed by the Research Data
Management Support Service, as required.
9. Participate in the induction programme for and training of Library & Archives
Service staff.
10. Represent the LAS at meetings and events, as required by the Project Manager
or Head of Library & Archives Service.
11. Keep a watching brief on developments related to Data Management and Digital
Repositories that may have an impact upon the work performed.
12. Demonstrate a commitment to continuous professional development by attending
conferences and appropriate training courses to keep up to date knowledge and
expertise within the sector.
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13. Other duties which the Head of Library & Archives Service may assign, as
demands on the LAS dictate, within the boundaries of the grade of the role
6. Selection Criteria
Essential
a) A degree in Computer Science or Information Technology related field, or the
equivalent combination of education, training, and experience from which
comparable skills can be acquired.
b) Demonstrable experience of having performed substantial development work
using digital repository software, such as ePrints, DSpace, Fedora Commons,
or others.
c) Demonstrable experience of having worked with metadata standards for
organising and documenting research data, such as DDI, MODS, Dublin Core,
METS, PREMIS.
d) Knowledge of web server software including Apache and Tomcat in a
Linux/Unix environment.
e) Experience with database technologies, such as MySQL, Oracle, and the
SQL language, on enterprise level systems.
f) Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and oral.
g) Excellent organisational skills and problem solving skills, with proven ability to
identify and resolve issues and prioritise workloads.
h) Proven ability to work as a member of a team.
Desirable
a) Familiarity with authentication/credential systems such as Shibboleth, Active
Directory, and/or LDAP.
b) Awareness of sensitivities associated with management and sharing of health
research data.
c) Knowledge of standards for digital curation and preservation.
d) Experience of working in a research intensive environment.
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7. Salary and Conditions of Appointment
The appointment is subject to a probationary review after six months. Salary will be
pro rata on the Professional Support Grade 5 scale within the range £31,376 –
£36,018.
8. Applications
Applications should be made on-line via our website at jobs.lshtm.ac.uk. The closing
date is 10pm on Monday 2nd October 2013 and the reference for this post is CSL45.
Interviews are expected to be held on 4th November 2013. Online applications will
be accepted by the automated system until 10pm of the closing date. Any queries
regarding the application process may be addressed to jobs@lshtm.ac.uk
The supporting statement section should set out how your qualifications, experience
and training meet each of the selection criteria. Please provide one or more
paragraphs addressing each criterion. The supporting statement is an essential part
of the selection process and thus a failure to provide this information will mean that
the application will not be considered. There is no requirement to provide a CV and
an answer to any of the criteria such as “Please see attached CV” will not be
considered acceptable.
Please note that if you are shortlisted and are unable to attend on the interview date
it may not be possible to offer you an alternative date.
9. Further information
Further information on the School can be obtained from the website
http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/. The Library & Archives Service website is at
http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/library
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is committed to being
an equal opportunities employer
August 2013
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Staff Organogram
Head of
Library &
Archives
Service
Archivist &
Records
Manager
Project
Manager
Information
Services
Librarian
Archives &
Records
Management
Team
Information
Services
Team
Assistant
Archivist
Assistant
Librarian
(Information
Services)
(RDM)
Data
Cataloguing
Repository
Archivist
Software
Archives
Assistant
Reader
Services
Team
Systems
Librarian
LAS
Administrative
Assistant
Systems
Team
Serials
Team
*Library
Assistant
(Information
Services)
Developer
Reader
Services
Librarian
Library
Assistant
(Weekends)
Library
Assistant
(Weekends)
T
e
a
m
Assistant
Librarian
(Serials)
Senior Library
*Library
Assistant
(Serials)
*Library
Assistant
(Systems)
Repository
Officer
Library
Assistant
(Mornings)
Library
Assistant
(Mornings)
Library
Assistant
Library
Assistant
Library
Assistant
(Late
Evenings)
(Evenings)
Library
Assistant
Library
Assistant
(Late
Evenings)
(Evenings)
Assistant
Repository
Manager
(Systems)
Each member of staff works within a team (Archives & Records Management, Information Services, Serials or Systems) and is line managed
by a senior member of staff, who will also usually act as the line manager for personnel matters (probation, appraisal etc).
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