Functieomschrijving

Join us and become a Data Manager specialized in geospatial data & products!
The VLIZ Marine Data Centre (VMDC) is an international hub for marine and coastal data, connecting scientists, policymakers, and innovators worldwide. It manages vast collections of high-quality datasets, tools, and services that support cutting-edge ocean research and sustainable marine management. By working at VMDC, you contribute to advancing open science and support tackling global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and ocean health. The VMDC is built on collaboration, innovation, and a passion for the sea, offering a stimulating environment for professionals who want to make an impact. Joining VMDC means becoming part of a dynamic, international team dedicated to unlocking knowledge for a sustainable future of our oceans.
We are currently looking for a Data Manager specialized in geospatial data & products, to be a part of our Geospatial Data & Products (GD&P) team within VMDC. This team drives innovation in marine data by creating advanced data products, improving interoperability, and building next-generation data systems. Their expertise spans the development of marine geospatial data (standards), marine spatial planning, tools to analyse changes over time and space, smart metadata catalogues, GIS viewers, and data services. The team is involved in several EU and global data efforts, networks and projects (e.g. Marine Regions, Blue Cloud 2026, EDITO, EMODnet). 

YOUR TASKS

• You develop and maintain RShiny applications and free open-source software in R (e.g. retrieve data from REST API’s, OpenCPU or OGC, etc.).
• You develop and manage GIS data products in the framework of several projects: Marine Regions, Bio-Oracle, EMODnet Biology/Bathymetry and EDITO.
• You create geospatial data visualizations to support scientific publications, project reporting and stakeholder communication.
• You manage data in SQL Server, PostgreSQL and MongoDB, while publishing data via Geoserver and ERDDAP.
• You apply the FAIR data principles to datasets (biodiversity occurrences, maritime boundaries, environmental data, etc.).
• You manage the metadata in systems such as GeoNetwork or GBIF IPT.
• You use Gitlab and GitHub for version control and community collaboration.
• You are able to coach colleagues and others.

For each function, VLIZ considers enthusiastic involvement, service minded, excellent
professionalism and integrity as important characteristics.

Vereisten

YOUR PROFILE

• A master's degree (or PhD) in GIS/Geomatics/GeoInformatics or related (Remote sensing/Earth Observation, GeoSpatial Science/Data Science, Geology or Geography).
• At least 3-5 years of relevant experience.
• Active skills in data management, including SQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Geoserver and/or ERDDAP.
• Active skills in tools for geospatial analysis such as QGIS, ArcGIS, PostGIS, NetCDF, Leaflet.
• Experience in coding languages such as R, RShiny, Bash, Python and/or Julia.
• Experience in quality control of data and products.
• Knowledge of data standards like Darwin Core, BODC vocab terms, RDF, INSPIRE, OGC.
• Experience in software development using Git and Docker.
• Communication (verbal and writing) skills.
• Professional fluency in English is mandatory.
• Knowledge of Dutch is a plus.
• Affinity with ocean/marine related topics.
• Willing to work in an international context and occasionally travel for work.

Must-have

• Master
• Master

Nice-to-have

• 2 jaar relevante ervaring,
• Methodes voor onderzoek en voor de gegevensverzameling en –analyse bepalen en ontwikkelen

  Rapporten, publicaties en scripties opstellen
• Taken uitvoeren zonder ondersteuning of toezicht van anderen.

  Ontleden van een probleem en aanvullende informatie zoeken.

  Informatie en ideeën schriftelijk of mondeling overbrengen.

  Doelgericht handelen.

  Gedrag of werkwijze gemakkelijk aanpassen aan veranderende situaties en verschillende personen.

  Meningen en hun gevolgen tegen elkaar afwegen aan de hand van relevante criteria.

  Acties ondernemen om je functioneren te verbeteren.

  Doelen en prioriteiten bepalen en aangeven hoe ze te bereiken.

  Een standpunt innemen en actie ondernemen.

  Ontwikkelen van nieuwe producten, diensten, processen en structuren.

  Respectvol opkomen voor je eigen mening.

  Efficiënt blijven functioneren onder sterke druk, in moeilijke situaties of bij tegenslag.

  Algemeen aanvaarde normen volgen.

  Aandacht hebben voor gevoelens en behoeften van anderen en er gepast op reageren.

  Samenwerken om tot een gezamenlijk resultaat te komen.

  Omgaan met mensen met een verschillende achtergrond.

  Aandacht hebben voor kwaliteit en fouten voorkomen.

  Kansen zien en uit eigen beweging acties ondernemen.

  Problemen oplossen met behulp van denk- en werkwijzen uit de informatica.

  Handelen in overeenstemming met de waarden en normen van de organisatie.

  Rekening houden met de wensen en behoeften van klanten en hiernaar handelen.
• Nederlands

  Engels

Wij bieden

OUR OFFER

• We offer you a challenging job in the dynamic environment of the InnovOcean Campus in Ostend.
• A contract for 2 years, with the possibility of extension, and a competitive remuneration package
  based on the candidate's qualifications and experience according to the salary scales set forth by the Flemish Government on 01-01-2009.
• Additional benefits: holiday allowance, end of year allowance, meal vouchers (€8 per day worked), bicycle allowance, free public transport between home and work.
• A good work-life balance through a generous leave package and flexible working hours within a 38-hour working week.
• The possibility to work partly from home after an induction period.
• Opportunities for personal development (training).

Groei met ons mee

Bedrijfsinformatie

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