Knowledge Space Lab: mapping knowledge interactively
Virtual Knowledge Studio for the Humanities and Social Sciences, KNAW
A new 18 month project with a research team of two postdoc researchers and a scientific
programmer
Each position 38 hours per week
Amsterdam , September 21, 2009 – March 1, 2011
Project description
The project “Knowledge Space Lab” contributes to the new research area of “maps of science”. The
project addresses the difference between representing scholarly knowledge in (external) classification
systems (such as thesauri, ontologies, bibliographic systems) and “internal” representations based on
data- and user-tagging (such as network analysis, user annotations/tagging, folksonomies).
During the project a visualization tool (CatVis) will be developed which allows two different
representations of the same information (e.g. classification space vs. network). CatVis enables
switching between them or displaying them in parallel.
As a simulation tool CatVis will be applied to “real data” focusing on scientific information and
analyzing the historical roots and current development in computational fields.
The project team consists of a postdoc with a natural sciences/mathematics/computer sciences
background (PostDoc math), a postdoc with a social sciences/humanities background (PostDoc hum)
and a scientific programmer (SciProg). There will be intensive collaboration between the team
members. The project leader is Dr. Andrea Scharnhorst.
Job description
PostDoc Position (hum)
Responsibilities related to the position are:
- To conduct a literature review on classification systems and network mapping of publication data and
science history studies into different visions of information visualization
- To test and evaluate visualizations and tool (user perspective) (together with PostDoc math)
- To compare different visual representations using the CatVis concept to test the visualization tool
based on bibliographic data such as from the Web of Science, Scopus or similar database (together
with PostDoc math, SciProg)
- To analyse and interpret the visualization of evolution of computational subfields (together with
PostDoc math)
- To write scientific articles on selected case studies and on fundamental problems of visualization (in
collaboration with other project members).
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Requirements
PhD degree in social sciences or humanities, experience in working in cross-disciplinary contexts and
in topics related to ICT (such as computer mediated communication). A background in library and
information sciences, science and technology studies, science history and experiences with research
and/or analysis of computational humanities are particularly valuable. The postdoc is expected to have
excellent writing skills and competences to “translate” research problems between different scientific
fields including natural sciences and humanities. Experience in quantitative studies of science are not
required but an interest in mathematical and quantitative approaches is needed.
Language skills – an excellent command of the English language in speaking and writing is required.
Conditions of employment
Salary scale for Postdoc (Hum)
Depending on training and work experience, the gross salary for a full-time appointment (38 hours a
week) will be between € 3.195,- and € 3530,-, scale 11, Collective Agreement for Dutch Universities
(CAO–Nederlandse Universiteiten), excluding 8% holiday pay and an 8,3% year-end bonus. We offer
an extensive package of fringe benefits.
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: 18 months (research only)
Hours per week: 38
Job description
Scientific programmer
Responsibilities related to the position are:
- To contribute to the literature review on classification systems and network mapping of publication
data and the tutorial on visualization (together with PostDoc math, PostDoc hum)
- To design and program the CatVis prototype, apply the tool to artificial data, and test the tool
together with the other team members.
- To perform automatic data extraction and analysis of empirical data in the field of computational
humanities.
- To develop an on-line representation of CatVis
- To create and maintain the web presence of the project
- To contribute to presentations about the project and to scientific articles on selected case studies
and on fundamental problems of visualization (in collaboration with other project members).
Requirements
At least a Master’s degree in computer sciences. Knowledge of usual programming languages such
as Java and C++ are required. Experience with software tools such as Pajek, Ucinet, SPSS,
Mathematica, and tools such as the NetworkWorkbench (http://nwb.slis.indiana.edu/) are welcome.
Experience in programming of visual interfaces and in collaboration in interdisciplinary teams are
particularly valuable.
Excellent ICT skills
Language skills – an excellent command of the English language in speaking and writing is required.
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Conditions of employment
Salary scale for Scientific programmer
Depending on training and work experience, the gross salary for a full-time appointment (38 hours a
week) will be between € 3.195,- and € 3315,-, scale 11, Collective Agreement for Dutch Universities
(CAO–Nederlandse Universiteiten), excluding 8% holiday pay and an 8,3% year-end bonus. We offer
an extensive package of fringe benefits.
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: 18 months (research only)
Hours per week: 38
Organization
Virtual Knowledge Studio for the Humanities and Social Sciences
The Virtual Knowledge Studio for the Humanities and Social Sciences (KNAW) supports researchers
in the humanities and social sciences in the Netherlands in the creation of new scholarly practices and
in their reflection on e-research in relation to their fields.
A core feature of the Virtual Knowledge Studio is the integration of design and analysis in a close
cooperation between social scientists, humanities researchers, information technology experts and
information scientists. This integrated approach provides insight in the way e-research can contribute
to new research questions and methods.
This position will be located in the Simulation collaboratory of the VKS as part of the research project
“Knowledge Space Lab: mapping knowledge interactively” funded by the Strategiefonds of the
KNAW for 18 months. The project is embedded in the VKS network on computational humanities
(including projects as AlfaLab and the Circulation of Knowledge). It will be conducted in connection
with the Cyberinfrastructure for Network Science Center, directed by Prof. Katy Börner, at the
University of Indiana in Bloomington, US and in collaboration with Dr. Loet Leydesdorff at the
University of Amsterdam.
Additional information about the VKS can be obtained through the following link.

VKS website: www.virtualknowledgestudio.nl
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from:
Dr. Andrea Scharnhorst
Telephone number: 0031-20 850 0276
E-mail address: andrea.scharnhorst@vks.knaw.nl
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Application
You can apply for these jobs before 1 September 2009 by sending a c.v. and letter of motivation,
detailing your ambitions and suitability for this position to pdspacelab@vks.knaw.nl to the attention of
Marjoleine Cornelissen (Head of Human Resource department).
This advertisement is not intended for acquisition purposes.
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